ã€ŠDao of Moneyã€‹


 Chapter 1: Im a Young Master?

    The moment Tang Xiulan''s broom touched the dry cobblestone tiles, a piercing, frustrated scream resounded through the courtyard.

    A jolt of fear shot up her arms as she clutched the barren wooden handle tighter, her blisters rubbing against its coarse surface while she pulled up the broom away from the tile. Soon enough, her fright was replaced with confusion, her eyes locked on the dust-covered bristles that had been the same for the last three years.

    She shook herself out of her stupor, and continued to sweep, but instead another scream erupted once more the very moment the bristle touched the tile. A sharp thud of an object hitting the floor followed it.

    She lifted the broom up high, inspecting the head.

    However, despite her broom''s bristles not touching the tiles, another loud noise came out loud and clear. A scream of pain followed it as if someone had fallen on the ground and hit their head hard.

    Tang Xiulan finally located the source of the disturbance. But instead of investigating any further, she decided to keep her head down, sweeping quickly while ignoring the repeated screams of pain and frustration.

    A few minutes passed, and the screams finally died down until the morning was as silent as ever.

    Footsteps approached her rapidly from behind, the click-clack of slippers knocking against mouldy wooden panels shocking Tang Xiulan into alertness. She spun on her heel, her body preparing to lock into a submissive bow when she finally saw who was coming towards her.

    Tang Xiulan relaxed her guard, returning to her usual self while crossing her covered arms in exasperation, the loose pale blue robe accented with silver cranes flapping gently in the wind. "What are you doing here, trying to skive off work again? Do you even want to continue working as a maid?" She chided the young woman with flabby cheeks that looked barely an adult.

    "What are you talking about, Sister Tang?" The other maid looked aghast. "I heard a terrible scream, it sounded like someone was dying in one of the guest rooms. Is young master Chen Ren okay?"

    Tang Xiulan rolled her eyes, knowing fully well why she was worried. "Don''t worry about him, there''s nothing we can do for him. Master already gave him the best mortal healer in the city."

    "But still¡ª"

    "And even the healer said only the heavens can decide his fate now. If he dies, then at least the guest room could be opened for other, important guests. It''s already a miracle that he woke up and was able to let out those screams, but he seemed to have gone back to sleep since it''s so silent.¡± Tang Xiulan swept her long black hair back behind her ears, returning to her sweeping tasks.

    The other maid frowned and looked like she wanted to argue, but she held it in.

    She hurriedly walked up to the guest room where the screams were coming from, the same robe uniform trailing her feet. She tried to peep in through a gap in the sliding wooden panels before returning. ¡°Looks like he''s still up¡­ just going through one of his books and clenching his fist. Young Master Chen Ren seems pretty frustrated.¡±

    "Hey, why do you care so much about him? Do you really think he would make you his concubine just because he talks sweetly with you? You need to know your status and let him be. Nothing good comes out of getting involved with a cultivator, especially one with such a bad reputation,¡± Tang Xiulan snarled, saying the last part in a whisper, albeit Chen Ren managed to hear it.

    ¡°He¡¯s not so ba¡ª¡±

    ¡°Someone who squanders away money everyday, philanders with young girls like you, fights all the time in bar brawls and brags about challenging the heavens yet can''t succeed in the Soaring Sword Sect entrance examinations! Too bad he got matched with the City Lord''s son, Li Xuan and had been on the bed for a week."

    ¡°He¡¯s still an esteemed guest and a cultivator. What if he got to know what you think of him?¡±

    ¡°Then, that would be the end of me.¡± Tang Xiulan glared. ¡°So be it, but anyone in the city who knows him thinks of him like that. It''s only you who has rose tinted lenses for your eyes.¡±

    "When you put it that way..."

    "When I put it that way, it means you should go back to scrubbing the damn clothes. Sun isn''t going to be up for much longer, you know. You want to get scolded by the young miss again when she comes back from the market?"

    "Oh no!" The young maid glanced up at the rising sun, gave one last look at the guest room before frantically running away and leaving Tang Xiulan alone. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Tang Xiulan sighed, releasing her pent-up anger on her broom sweeps, each movement kicking up clouds of dust accumulated and fallen leaves from the nearby trimmed trees.

    She couldn''t care less about Chen Ren and for all she knew, it was only her master''s goodwill and business connections with the Chen Clan that let him stay here.

    She continued about her task of cleaning up the courtyard, finally reaching the last task of the day¡ª cleaning the guestrooms.

    That also involved changing the bandages of Chen Ren, a task she vehemently hated. Still, she had to do it and as she moved towards the guestrooms, she heard him talking to himself in a strange tone.

    ¡°What''s going on? Have I really crossed over to another world? Fuck! I want to return back to my apartment.¡±

    She had no idea what that meant and as she peeped in through the gap, she saw him pulling out his hair in exasperation. She wondered if he had gone crazy due to his defeat to Li Xuan and had gained a heart demon.

    That thought scared her and she took a step back, aiming to run away and inform her master, but before she could turn, Chen Ren noticed her.

    Stolen story; please report.

    ¡°Hey, please come in. I want to talk to you,¡± he said.

    She wished to refuse, but had no reason to. Slowly, she slid the door open and stepped inside, taking a look at the room which seemed to have gone through a storm.

    The round wooden table tucked neatly into the corner of the room was chock full of medication and ointments left behind by the healer, while bloodied bandages were strewn all over the floor. Books were scattered alongside crumbled parchments. Clothes and bedsheets lined the floor and it seemed like Chen Ren had practically searched through the room for something.

    As she sized him up, she saw him staring right at her with his amber eyes. His long black hair, same as hers, was untied and reached the floor and his skin was pale and unblemished. With a sharp jawline, he looked handsome, holding a medallion in his hand that she recognised as an heirloom of sorts.

    He should have been on the bed, barely being able to move as the healer had told them. Yet, there was a sharpness in his voice. ¡°Who am I? And your name¡­ it''s Tang Xiulan, right?¡±

    She looked at him in surprise. He had never spoken her name out loud before and it was strange that he even bothered to remember it. ¡°Yes, young master. And you are Chen Ren, the scion of the Chen Clan of¡ª¡±

    ¡°Red Peak City and I''m a third star body forging realm cultivator and this is the Tang Clan courtyard in Cloud Mist City. Recently, I lost a fight against someone named Li Xuan, trying to enter the Soaring Sword Sect and had been bedridden since then with half of my body scorched in the battle.¡±

    She nodded her head slowly, confused as to what was going on. ¡°Yes, that''s correct.¡±

    As soon as she said that, he lowered his head and almost smacked it on the ground. His whole body slumped against the floor and he looked as if he had just learned of his whole family dying to a rogue demonic cultivator. Obviously, nothing of that sort happened, making his reaction even more mysterious.

    ¡°This can''t be¡­ these memories are all real,¡± he muttered, looking stranger and stranger every second.

    She moved towards him. ¡°Young master, is everything okay? I can call a healer for you if you want.¡±

    ¡°No, nothing is okay, but I don''t need a healer. I will just rest and process all this. Can you please give me some space?¡±

    Once again, she looked at him in surprise. Not only was he talking strangely, he had never been this polite to her before. Had the loss affected him to such a degree for him to change his ways? No, she doubted it.

    ¡°As you say, young master,¡± she said, turning on her heels and sliding the door open. Looking back, she saw him muttering something under his breath, but none of it made sense to her. She could only leave and report it to the master.

    Tang Xiulan still harboured curiosity in her heart as to what was going on, but she wasn''t brave enough to ask him. She won''t be able to bear the consequences if it angered him and she didn''t want to take any chances.

    She slowly made her way outside the guest room, hoping to find a cat that would often come around in the courtyard when she heard footsteps coming towards her. Looking up, she saw the young maid walking with a man who she recognised as Feng Ming, one of Chen Ren''s drinking buddies and another cultivator.

    A charming smile hung on his lips as both of them stopped before her.

    She quickly bowed to him. ¡°Young master Feng Ming.¡±

    ¡°Has Chen Ren woken up?¡± he asked, promptly. ¡°I need to meet him urgently.¡±

    Tang Xiulan hesitated, thinking back to the strange behaviour she had just seen. ¡°He did wake up a while back, but I don''t think it''s an appropriate moment to meet. Young master Chen is still in the middle of getting his bearings.¡±

    Feng Ming''s face fell at that, the smile disappearing. Tang Xiulan felt as if she had said the wrong words.

    ¡°It doesn''t matter. If he had woken up, he would be happy enough to see me. Lead the way to his room,¡± he said in a commanding tone.

    She had no way of refusing him, so she nodded and turned back before giving a subdued glare to the young maid who had led Feng Ming to her. ¡°This way, young master.¡±

    As they walked through the hallways, another scream resounded out, causing her to pause and rub her forehead.

    ***

    Chen Ren screamed, looking at the ceiling as if cursing at whatever deity that was responsible for his current situation. He felt like he had been tossed into an awful situation, one he had no way of coming out of.

    Panic clawed at his heart and his whole body trembled as he slumped onto the cold floor. Memories that were not his constantly moved around in his mind and he didn''t ignore it. He couldn''t after he had confirmed that they were real.

    ¡°I guess¡­ this is really me now,¡± he whispered, looking at a mirror on the side.

    An unfamiliar face reflected back. He frowned, running his hands through his long black hair. He used to have brown hair before.

    From a business management college student that was busy looking for a job, he had become Chen Ren, the exiled young master of Chen Clan. Not only that, he had somehow transmigrated into a Xianxia world, one where strength ruled and immortals reigned supreme.

    A land rife with danger and opportunity in equal measure. Here, murder wasn''t a crime, it was a statistic and any rogue cultivator had the right to murder you for small offences.

    His situation couldn''t be worse. Yet, as he looked down at the parchments at his feet, his reality came crashing down even further. They were debt records, money that he had taken from various people in the city to run his hedonist lifestyle. As he counted them all, his heart fell, cursing the body he had found himself in.

    Still, Chen Ren tried his best to stay calm. He had already spooked the maid with repeated screams of frustration. He needed to act normal to deal with his situation.

    He squeezed his eyes shut, taking deep breaths and processing everything. As he was in the middle of it, footsteps rang outside the door. He opened his eyes, wondering if Tang Xiulan was back.

    The next moment, the door opened, revealing Tang Xiulan followed by another maid and a man that didn''t look like a servant.

    He had short black hair with a stubble growing on his cheeks. From the silver robes he wore, it was clear that he was someone important.

    The man''s boisterous voice immediately dominated the serene courtyard the moment he stepped over the wooden threshold into the room. "Chen Ren! You''re alive! Thank the heavens ¡ª I watched that battle between you and Li Xuan. It was certainly the most unfair fight to pit you against the City Lord''s son, but you did well. Not many can even survive against [Blazing Hawk Fist]. How have your injuries been?"

    Chen Ren starred in a trance-like state for a few brief moments as Tang Xiulan moved to leave and close the door, giving them privacy.

    From what he remembered, he was one of his few ¡°friends¡± and drinking buddies, a cultivator on the same realm as him. Why was he here? He had no idea, but he needed to act like Chen Ren.

    Finally, he snapped out of the trance, replying with a joyful face and an exaggerated voice. ¡°Haha, a mere [Blazing Hawk Fist] wouldn''t deter me at all! This entrance test was nothing but a mere hiccup in my path to be a cultivator who would challenge the heavens."

    ¡°True,¡± Feng Ming said, scooping closer to him until he stood right in front. ¡°You have always been very motivated about your cultivation,¡±

    ¡°One needs to be motivated when they are on the path to being immortal. You know that very well, Brother Ming,¡± he replied, growing tired of maintaining a smile. ¡°I am happy that you came to check on me, and as you see, I''m recovering well.¡±

    Feng Ming crossed his arms, his original enthusiasm clearly diminished for some reason. He gave a look around the messy room before snarling. "I can definitely see that and since you''re recovering so well, then perhaps you would be able to return all the debt you currently owe me, right?"

    "Of cou¡ª wait what?"

 Chapter 2: Market research

    Chen Ren stared into the eyes of the man, a cold realisation sinking in. Had his luck gone this bad this soon? He had just entered this world and was already thrown into an inferno of trouble.

    Trouble in the face of a not-so-friendly man. His gaze had turned cold, the pleasant smile that adorned his face when he entered the room was no longer there.

    A chill ran down his spine under the gaze.

    Feng Ming''s previous demeanour was probably a ruse, simply to know his condition and now, he was revealing his true motive for coming here. It was a clever ploy and one that he hadn''t expected.

    His mind had been too preoccupied with things to prepare for debtors.

    He sifted through some of the memories related to this man, Feng Ming. In those, he witnessed how they would often go drinking together and it was also Feng Ming who had told him to take a debt from him when Chen Ren''s money had run out. Originally, the debt was small, just for drinks and food but over time, it has accumulated to a good amount.

    It was almost as if he was trying to get Chen Ren in debt. A little more probing in his mind and he realised why it was so.

    Feng Ming¡¯s eyes narrowed. "You''re not going to back out of this, are you?" The menacing undertone brought him back to reality.

    Chen Ren met his gaze, his expression unchanged. In his mind, he was still calculating how to act with him with all the memories he had. He didn¡¯t want to act out of character or make himself sound more suspicious than he already had.

    He cleared his throat after a while.

    "Of course not, Brother Ming," he replied, his tone laced with feigned nonchalance. "I wouldn''t dream of it. I was never going to hold back the money from you"

    The man''s eyes flickered with doubt. "And how exactly do you plan to repay me? You have no job, no prospects, and you''ve failed the sect entrance exams. Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re just fooling me¡­ Or yourself, at this point?"

    "I would never dream of breaking my promise," Chen Ren said, his voice firm. "Even if I''m down on my luck, my honour is intact." He paused, his eyes glinting with defiance as he thought on the right words to say. "Besides, I still have my connections. I''m a member of the Chen Clan of Red Peak City. I''ve already sent a message requesting financial assistance to repay my debt."

    The man¡¯s expression shifted. His eyebrows raised in disbelief.

    Although Chen Ren had been exiled, most people in Cloud Mist City had no idea about it. Even the merchant family he was staying in was tight lipped on this matter and others only knew that he had a great background. They had no idea about the specifics.

    The original Chen Ren hardly spoke about his family, so this was probably something unexpected for Feng Ming.

    "You haven''t asked them for money in months," he said, his voice laced with doubt. "Why now?"

    Chen Ren shrugged, affecting a nonchalant air. "I''ve been trying to make it on my own," he explained. ¡°As you know, a cultivator needs to be brave enough to explore and challenge the world without the help of his family. But circumstances have forced my hand. The Chen Clan is an ancient and powerful family. I''m sure they will come through for me."

    As soon as the words left his lips, a new fear crawled through his skin. Will his bluff even work? From how the black eyes bore into him, and how the man¡¯s lips had formed to a tight, thin line¡­ he couldn¡¯t say what was going through Feng Ming''s mind.

    He was fully prepared for a punch to fly and could only rely on his ability to shout to call for help from Tang Xiulan. Hopefully, she would be able to come to his aid with guards.

    At the same time, he faked a confident smile to Feng Ming who still looked at him with scepticism. Finally, the man spoke. "Even if you get the money, when will it arrive? I can''t wait indefinitely."

    ¡°It won''t take long.¡±

    ¡°I don''t know how long it might take. I don''t even know where Red Peak City is. Just tell me how much I would have to wait.¡±

    The question worsened his worries. Chen Ren knew he had to come up with a solution quickly. He couldn''t afford a physical confrontation as cultivators loved to talk with their fist, especially young ones like Feng Ming.

    The debt was around five hundred silver wen, and even if it was a fraction of the total debt he owed to various people, he knew it wasn''t a small amount.

    It was safe to say, Chen Ren''s body wouldn¡¯t handle another bloody punch. But he wasn''t going to just die after finding himself in this world.

    That would be too short of a life.

    As he looked around for a solution, an idea formed in his mind. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the medallion that he had been looking at before Feng Ming had arrived.

    "If you''re so worried about your money," he said, his voice steady. "You can keep this as collateral until I repay you. But I want a promise from you that you won''t sell it. It''s an heirloom, and it holds significant sentimental value¡­ It¡¯s also ancient, so I don¡¯t want to lose it."

    The medallion had been a gift to Chen Ren from his late father who had gotten it from his own father, meaning it was fairly old.

    The former body owner obviously didn¡¯t care for it¡ª no emotions were attached to it and it was nothing that would keep him awake at night even if it went missing. However, he didn¡¯t want it to be sold, especially to this man. For all he knew, it was ancient enough to go for a few thousand silver wen, but it could also be worthless.

    Ordinary looking ancient treasures were one of the staples of Xianxia after all. Chen Ren didn''t even have the idea of the metal the medallion was made up of.

    Feng Ming¡¯s eyes lit up with greed as he took the medallion, examining it with a keen eye. "Very well. I¡¯ll come for the money in a month," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    "Two months," Chen Ren quickly retorted. "The city my clan lives in is far away."

    The man paused, then nodded. "Fine. Two months. Don''t disappoint me."

    With that, he gave a final, menacing glance, turned and left, leaving Chen Ren to ponder his next move.

    Chen Ren slumped onto the bed, his body aching with exhaustion. Everything that happened since morning came to him in waves. The transmigration, his current identity and most importantly, the big, bad news¡ª the debt. The ordeal had drained him physically and mentally.

    Although he wanted to think of an immediate solution, he knew he couldn¡¯t. Not at this state. Therefore he did something he should¡¯ve done right when he woke up in this body, and closed his eyes, allowing sleep to claim him.

    There was a lot to do and a part of him wondered if this was all a dream and he would wake up in his original body on Earth, going back to sending resumes to every company on LinkedIn, but for now, he just wanted to rest.

    ***

    It wasn''t a dream.

    It had been two days since he woke up in this world, and no one else came to see him, partly because he instructed Tang Xiulan to spread the rumours that he had gone back to being unconscious after waking up once.

    His memories had assimilated by now and even his injuries seemed to have been healing at a considerable pace. He had no idea if it was because of his cultivation, the transmigration or because of the potency of the medicines of this world.

    Still, the speed of healing was miraculous and it wouldn''t be possible on earth. Even Tang Xiulan was shocked when she came to check on him.

    It made him more curious to learn about this world and the secrets it held. At the same time, he realised that he was highly inadequate to do so.

    Chen Ren hadn''t been much of a cultivating genius nor was he hard working enough to fill the gaps between him and others.

    The way to identify a cultivator''s talent was by the number of spirit roots their dantian held and he had merely 21 of them, meaning his talent was on the far lower end of the spectrum. He did have lightning aspected roots which was considered rare, but with his abysmal number of spirit roots, it was of no use.

    If he had even a semblance of talent or hard working nature, his clan wouldn''t have kicked him out.

    But maybe, he might be able to do something about it.

    On his third day in this world, Chen Ren was finally trying out something that he should have done on the first day itself.

    He was going to see if he had a system inside of him.

    It felt a little silly, but transmigration itself was the strangest thing that could happen to someone.

    If two days ago someone had poked him and said he would transmigrate to a world where his body wouldn''t be his own and his memory would be of learning magical kung fu in a land full of magical beasts, he¡¯d slap that man and walk away without looking back.

    But now transmigration had happened, there was a chance that he¡¯d get a system to guide him through the ups and downs of this world.

    He had to try.

    Similar to the countless books he¡¯d read, he focused on his mind¡ª on the memories of Chen Ren. The solution he had in mind was simple; if he could control the memories, he should be able to control the status screen.

    ¡°Open status screen!¡± Chen¡¯s voice came loud enough in the empty room and he hoped that the maid wasn''t standing outside.

    He opened his eyes, expecting a see-through screen with information.

    ¡°System start!¡± Chen Ren commanded again.

    He squinted his eyes in focus and tried once more.

    ¡­ And nothing.

    No holographic menus, no character stats, and no inventory. Just the cold, hard reality of his new world. He couldn¡¯t count the amount of alternative words he used, but in the end, he gave up on that.

    If there was any status prompt to pop up ¡ª it would have already.

    He didn¡¯t necessarily expect a system, but he couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that it would help him find his lefts-and-rights in this world.

    Without it, he needed to find new ways to gain strength, but before that, he needed money. Over five thousand silver wen of debt loomed over him and one look at his memories was enough for him to realise that most people he had taken money from weren''t simple folks.

    They would surely come for him and he wasn''t strong enough to deal with them. Running away wasn''t an option either and he didn''t want to contend with the wild lands until he had a semblance of ability and money to hire guards.

    Chen Ren preferred plans that left room for adaptation and there were only so many things that could make money in this world. It was fairly easy for a cultivator to make money, but most of that required him to move to dangerous places and fight monstrous beasts.

    So, he decided on a different way. One which employed his memories from Earth, the knowledge he had gained. He didn''t remember everything, but he had a good memory and it would come in handy here.

    He decided to use his experience of working odd part time jobs, learning things in his university and online knowledge to start a business. He didn''t have the required capital to do much and he didn''t want to borrow more, but he had connections and a bundle of knowledge.

    As he recovered, he saw enough differences between the technological level of the world and the one he had come from. His memories revealed a lot and even if he had no knowledge of qi and cultivation, there were a lot of ideas in his mind.

    He could employ those to draft up a business plan. So for the next two days, he scribbled away plans of ventures he could dabble in and also wrote down things that could potentially harm him. From debtors to rogue cultivators, Chen Ren wanted to take no risk as he went on with his ideas.

    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    ***

    It had been a week since he had woken up in this unfamiliar body and finally, the day to venture outside had arrived.

    Thanks to Tang Xiulan, and the kindness of the merchant family, he was able to recover in peace. She had been his only visitor as per his request to not allow anyone inside the room and even if someone came, she would turn them down by saying he hadn''t woken up.

    Unsurprisingly, it worked. No one wanted to visit an unconscious Chen Ren and it seemed like most of his debtors had decided to leave him be.

    He could feel that Tang Xiulan didn''t like him, but she had worked with a quiet efficiency when she brought him medicines to recover and cleaned his room. He was thankful and tried to be polite with her, but her wariness hadn''t dropped. The previous occupant of this body hadn''t been a pleasant person and it took time to change perception.

    Still, he was thankful for her and planned to return the favour once he had some money to spare.

    , he thought as he got up, feeling a surge of energy and excitement on finally being able to venture outside.

    He slipped on a loose-fitting robe, making sure to cover most of his face. He wasn''t sure if his creditors had taken any drastic measures; for instance, planting people outside to wait for him and he wasn''t eager to find out.

    It was best to keep a low profile for now. He closed the door of the room and walked outside.

    He took a look around and saw that he was in a wide hallway and his memories helped him navigate through it, but as he turned around a corner, he was met with a watchful pair of eyes.

    "Where are you going, young master?" Tang Xiulan asked, her voice laced with curiosity. She was holding a tray of food and seemed to be heading towards his room.

    Chen Ren offered a reassuring smile. "I''m going to the market. I need to check out a few things."

    She hesitated, her eyes scanning his face. ¡°I know you have healed, young master, but the master wanted to see you after lunch," she said, her voice low.

    He paused in his steps. The merchant family he had been living with was called Tang Clan and its head''s name was Tang Jihao¡ª a man who had started from nowhere and now dabbled in quite a few businesses around the city.

    They hadn¡¯t met for more than twice since coming to this city as Tang Jihao was always busy and now that he had healed, Chen Ren could guess what he would have wanted to talk about.

    "I''ll visit him later,¡± he said, delaying the inevitable for the moment. ¡°Right now, I have some errands to run."

    ¡°May I know what errands?¡± she asked, her eyes not leaving him.

    ¡°Just want to check a few things in the market,¡± he replied, then realised that didn''t know the way to it. Chen Ren hadn''t bothered to explore the city and he only knew the location of the bars and the brothels. ¡°Do you want to come with me if you are free?¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± Tang Xiulan looked surprised.

    ¡°Yes, I don''t know the way to the market. I want to go to the one in the commoner¡¯s district.¡±

    For a few seconds, she seemed to be contemplating, but soon nodded her head.

    She still looked a bit wary of him and told him to wait as she moved back to one of the rooms which he recognised as the kitchen. When she returned, he saw that her hair was down and her clothes were smoothened.

    ¡°Let''s go,¡± he said, leading the way outside and Tang Xiulan walked next to him. He noticed that she was putting a fair bit of distance between them and even if her face was blank, her eyes kept glancing at him.

    He shook his head of the thought and ignoring her eyes, he looked around him.

    Cloud Mist City was one of the biggest cities in the region and as he moved through the crowd, he could see why. The streets were wide and carriages rolled past easily with enough space for the pedestrians. Every street was occupied by a good number of houses and it was planned well.

    As he raised his head, he could even see mountains and at their peaks, he knew the Soaring Sword Sect was located. A tang of unease and guilt flowed through him as he thought of the sect.

    Chen Ren''s feelings hadn''t completely gone away from his body, so even if he was in control, the memories brought forth more than a few displeasing things. From his guilt to his aspirations.

    ¡°Young master, can I ask you something?¡± Tang Xiulan''s words took his attention as he turned to look at her and nodded. ¡°Why are we going to the market?¡±

    ¡°I want to check out the market and see everything that''s being sold there,¡± he replied as they rounded a corner.

    ¡°There''s mostly street stalls and small shops there. They won''t satisfy you. If you want to buy something, you need to walk a bit more to reach the upper district.¡±

    He stopped and looked at her. She stiffened. ¡°I''m not going there to buy something. I plan to start up a business and for any business, one needs to scout out the market. You can''t enter a lake without knowing what type of fish swims inside of it.¡±

    ¡°A business?!¡± Tang Xiulan looked at him aghast, but he started moving again.

    She followed after him, taking the lead to take him to the market, but she kept tilting her head and looked confused.

    Chen Ren knew she wasn''t going to believe him. His predecessor wasn''t the type to like merchants and businesses, and even looked down upon them. He was using Tang Clan as a residency, but he always had an air of superiority about him.

    He was an idiot and now, it was his job to change that. Soon, they reached the market and found it bustling with activity.

    The air was thick with the scents of exotic spices and the clamour of merchants hawking their wares. He looked around slowly, taking in the details in broad daylight.

    Silken fabrics in every imaginable hue fluttered in the breeze, their rich textures on display. On one side, artisans displayed intricate jewellery, each piece shining, catching the attention of multiple women who stood by the stall.

    He guessed that most of them were fake, if not all, but they were good enough to use in daily lives.

    They rounded another corner. The scent of freshly baked bread mingled with the aroma of sizzling meats from food stalls made his mouth water and stomach grumble.

    They didn''t linger, but he took in all the items that were selling here. Most of them were meat dishes, especially pork, and he also saw a lot of fish getting grilled. There were also steamed buns getting sold and quite a few people clamoured for them.

    ¡°There seems to be good demand for the food stalls. I wonder where they get the ingredients from,¡± he muttered, moving to stand across a crowd that was gathered around a steam bun stall.

    His words were directed at Tang Xiulan and she immediately picked up on it. ¡°They have dealings with farmers, fishermen and the pigsty. From what I know, a lot of stall owners directly buy from them in bulk and they also give money to hunters to get specific meat.¡±

    ¡°What about beast meat?¡± Chen Ren asked, squinting to check out the different types of meat dishes on display. ¡°Do any of them sell that?¡±

    Tang Xiulan shook her head. ¡°No, even a Tier 1 beast is hard to deal with and even if a group of hunters sometimes manage to hunt one, it''s rare. Only a cultivator could procure beast meat easily and no sane cultivator would start a food stall or have dealings with one.¡± He felt like that part was aimed at him, but she continued without skipping a beat. ¡°As you know, there are restaurants in Cloud Mist City that serve beast meat, but they have direct dealings with Soaring Sword Sect for the meat.¡±

    Chen Ren recalled that his predecessor dined in one of them and didn''t have money to pay, so he had borrowed money from Feng Ming. The majority of debt he owed to him was due to that.

    He nodded at Tang Xiulan as his mind raced with the information. A part of him felt like a beast meat stall would work wonders, but if he actually started selling it, most of the commoners wouldn''t be able to afford it. Beast meat was expensive and he had no plans of taking a loss.

    Moreover, selling it directly to commoners might be going against the sect who probably sold it as an additional source of income.

    ¡°Let¡¯s keep moving,¡± he said. ¡°Do you know any shops that sell cultivation supplies here?¡±

    ¡°There will be some ahead. We are almost at the boundary of the upper district.¡±

    They walked with the wave of the crowd. His eyes planted on the bunch of children who darted between adults, a carefree expression on their faces. For a moment, he felt like it would have been better if he had transmigrated as a child. At least, he would have more time to find his way around this world then.

    As he moved further away, he suddenly felt a gaze on his back and his heart fell. A prickling sensation crawled up his skin and he wondered if he had been identified by the debtors, but he kept walking for a while before stopping around in front of a stall and sneakily looking around. But he found nothing.

    ¡°What happened, young master?¡± Tang Xiulan asked, following his gaze.

    ¡°Nothing. Just stay still for a while.¡±

    She kept quiet and he pretended to check the trinkets that the stall was selling. Ten minutes passed like that before he finally gestured for her to move.

    ¡°What was that?¡± Tang Xiulan finally asked. ¡°Is there someone following us?¡±

    ¡°I just felt like someone is. It''s nothing now. Sorry for scaring you.¡±

    She stiffened at that and he wondered if she had noticed someone, but her gaze was locked onto him. ¡°Young master, have I offended you?¡±

    He shook his head, wondering what it was about. ¡°No, you haven''t.¡±

    ¡°Then, why are you so polite to me? I have never heard you say sorry to anyone before.¡±

    Chen Ren didn''t reply for a few seconds. He had given up on acting more like his predecessor, mainly because it was too much to act as such and if he wanted to change his image, he needed to change the way he addressed people. ¡°I''m just trying to change. My defeat at the hands of Li Xuan gave me a new perspective.¡±

    He had no idea if she was going to believe him, but if he kept up with his current personality, Tang Xiulan had to accept it sooner or later.

    They eventually reached a corner where an herbalist¡¯s stall was booming with activity. Next to it, there was a blacksmith, creating different items. A few city guards seemed to be talking to him and even if Chen Ren was interested in eavesdropping to find out their relationship with the business owners, he didn''t want to attract their attention.

    There would be ample time to look into the internal structure of the city later.

    Finally, they found their destination which was a small shop located in an area beyond the market space. It was called the upper district, an affluent area in the centre of the city, and he had been here before more than once.

    Still, Chen Ren had no idea the market was right next to it and had never entered this shop before.

    Its shelves were lined with an assortment of herbs, pills, and talismans, each item bearing a price tag that made Chen Ren''s eyes widen. A low-grade healing pill, for instance, costs nearly two month''s worth of a common labourer''s wages in this world, which was around seventy silver wen.

    The more he moved through the shelves, the higher the prices rose.

    ¡°Young master, you lookin¡¯ for something?¡± The shop clerk walked from behind one of the shelves.

    He was a tall, lean man with baggy eyes. He seemed to be overworked from one glance and Chen Ren had no idea why since the shop didn''t seem to have a lot of customers at the moment. Maybe, he had simply come at a dull phase.

    ¡°Ah, not really, no. Was just wondering about the prices, that¡¯s all,¡± Chen replied faint-heartedly.

    The clerk smiled at that. ¡°They¡¯re expensive, I know. The path of cultivation is not for the faint of heart or the empty pocket. These herbs, pills, and talismans you see are not mere commodities. They are the essence of years of research, rare ingredients, and countless hours of refining and I''m pretty sure they would help you out on your journey. Our items are much better than anyone else in the city, directly procured from Soaring Sword Sect and if you wish, I would like to show you one of our special pills that would help out anyone in the body forging realm to make a breakthrough.¡±

    Chen Ren smiled at the clerk''s words. He had clearly identified him as a first realm cultivator due to his age and tried to use it to sell him pills.

    ¡°How much will it cost?¡±

    ¡°Just a hundred silver wen. If you want a few of better qualities, it will be three hundred silver wen. Do you want to take a look at it?¡±

    His face fell hearing the prices.

    ¡°I would refrain from doing so,¡± he said as a matter of fact. ¡°Like I said, I simply want to take a look around the shop for now. Thank you.¡±

    The clerk nodded and moved out of his way to talk to someone else who walked through the entrance.

    Chen Ren took that time to wander farther inside the shop with Tang Xiulan following behind him.

    His mind calculated prices and noted the names of the items in his mind¡ª just in case, for the future. As he had expected, he could buy none of the items right now.

    Even the lowest grade pills would cost him a lot and he could simply not afford it right now. If he actually planned to cultivate, his talent was going to be a big obstacle for him and for him to go past realms even with his below average talent, he would need a lot of resources.

    After more than fifteen minutes of staring at them, he decided to take his leave. On his way out, he looked at the clerk and gave a small nod.

    ¡°May fortune favour you on your journey, young master,¡± the clerk¡¯s optimistic voice rang after him.

    He had no idea if the clerk was being nice to him because of his robes or if he was just like this to all potential customers. Either way, he decided to remember his face and made his way back towards the streets that housed food stalls.

    The smell of fresh bread hit his nostrils once again, but this time, his mind reeled. He kept thinking over the prices of cultivation resources and his debt.

    The world of cultivation was a realm of opulence and exclusivity. He knew that well, but seeing it was different. It was a cold slap of reality that sobered him up.

    Chen Ren winced at that thought. That was followed by another thought¡­ And another. Until a train moved in circles inside his mind and he found himself in front of a vendor selling skewers of grilled pork, the savoury scent proving too tempting to resist.

    ¡°How much for a skewer?¡± Chen Ren asked, looking at the juicy meat sizzling.

    ¡°Five copper wen,¡± the man behind the stall replied with urgency, tending to the other customers who had already taken space.

    ¡°Give me three.¡±

    Chen reached into his pocket inside his robe, pulling out two copper coins of five and ten denominations respectively. He passed one of them to Tang Xiulan who bowed her head in gratitude before giving the rest to the man

    Soon, his taste buds were filled with the enriching proteins. After a few bites, he felt possibilities rising in his mind.

    In this world, mortal currency was in wen and it mostly had copper and silver coins with a hundred copper making up one silver wen. It was an easy enough system for him to learn and his goal for today was simply to find out how the economy worked around here, for both cultivators and mortals.

    His trip had told him that even if he wanted, he couldn''t look at the cultivation resources until he got through his debt.

    Money was the key. With enough of it, he could purchase the resources he needed to cultivate, he could repay his debts, and he could even carve out a comfortable life for himself.

    As he finished his first skewer, he looked up at the stall owner and the people around him. He slowed down his chewing and simply observed him, noticing that he was selling at least ten skewers every half an hour.

    His mind calculated the cost of the supplies, the time and the price of the licence to start up a stall. The more he thought, the more it seemed like a stall was the perfect beginning business for him.

    ¡°Young master, are you okay?¡± Tang Xiulan brought him out of his thoughts and he looked down at her.

    ¡°Yes. I''m just thinking about something.¡±

    ¡°Can I ask what?¡± she asked, her face curious.

    ¡°You can,¡± he replied. ¡°I¡¯m simply thinking that I should start up a stall. Not for selling beast meat. That would be too luxurious, but to sell food items. I believe I could start one that would sweep through the city and would be very popular.¡±

    Tang Xiulan blinked, her face a shade of disbelief. ¡°Young master Chen, I''m sorry, but most of the stalls around here are old and have a steady set of customers. New stall owners already have a hard time and this work is far beneath your stature as a cultivator.¡±

    ¡°No work is beneath anyone, Xiulan. In the grand sects, cultivators act as maids to other powerful cultivators. Is that work beneath them?¡±

    ¡°But they are still under cultivators, not mortals.¡±

    ¡°It doesn''t matter. Either way, I''m starting my own thing and not working under someone else.¡± Chen Ren shook his head. ¡°As for how I would make a difference in the market, it''s pretty simple. I''m just going to create a product that''s unique to me and make it popular.¡±

    ¡°An unique product?¡± Tang Xiulan tilted her head. ¡°What type of dish would that be?¡±

    Chen Ren smiled. ¡°You will see. It will surely be one that you would enjoy.¡±

    The more he talked, the more excited he got about what he had in mind. A dish that he had eaten a lot on Earth and even if he wasn''t able to make it exactly the same, he knew a recipe that would work here.

    A recipe that would take over the city.

 Chapter 3: Old Man Tian

    His first trip to the market narrowed down the scope for what could be his first business, but there were still quite a few worries swimming freely in his mind. One of them was the constant reminder of debtors.

    The whole situation was sticky. Sticky enough that it would put him in deep trouble if he didn¡¯t start working on the things he had planned. If only Chen Ren hadn¡¯t been a hedonistic bastard.

    Now, he was gone, but the due hangers remained.

    Feng Ming, the first taste of the cruelty of the situation, didn''t give the kindest of warnings until the collateral was given, but at least, it was just one person. If the others who Chen Ren owed had also come, he wouldn¡¯t have that many assets to calm them down.

    In the best-case scenario, they might not come find him at all. Though it didn¡¯t matter since he would have still needed at least five hundred silver wen in the next two months to get back his medallion from Feng Ming.

    Upon his return from the market to his abode, he immediately sought the aid of Tang Xiulan to pen letters to each of Chen Ren¡¯s debtors, humbly requesting leniency and an extension of time. It was a gamble, sending out these letters, as it might either buy him the precious time he needed or invite unwanted scrutiny. But at this point, he was no stranger to risk; he would not sit idly by while the wolves circled closer.

    It was better to know what was coming to him rather than wait for them to knock on his door.

    As he wrote the letters, he understood more and more who his predecessor had borrowed from. Local gangs to even the Li Clan, he had taken money from whoever was willing to give it.

    It was a shock to learn that he hadn''t borrowed anything from the Tang Clan, but he guessed that his predecessor was already living in the guestroom without rent for months and didn''t want to do anything that might ruin the arrangement.

    With the letters sent, he knew the first stone had been cast.

    Chen Ren knew better than to invite disaster by waiting for it to arrive at his doorstep. His recent encounter with Feng Ming had left a bitter taste in his mouth, a reminder that his standing in this world was fragile. Though his pride chafed at the idea, he recognized the wisdom in humility.

    Moreover, Chen Ren''s reputation in this world had been that of a man too proud for his own good, so a humble request for understanding might just catch his debtors off guard.

    It was a calculated move¡ª one that could either buy him time or invite further disdain. But in his mind, the roll of the dice was worth it.

    Beyond this, Chen Ren established a disciplined routine over the next three days.

    Each morning, he would make his way to the marketplace, his eyes sharp as he perused the stalls. He made purchases sometimes, but he was not there to spend money. Instead, he observed, learning the intricacies of the marketplace: the competitions between stalls, unspoken rules, the ebb and flow of customers, and the subtle interactions between stall owners.

    His efforts were not in vain.

    The stall owners, most of them who were seasoned merchants, were more than willing to share their knowledge. Of course, he had to buy their goods to loosen their tongues, but the information he gathered was invaluable. They didn¡¯t see him as a threat, which suited him just fine.  S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    After all, the more they underestimated him, the better for him.

    As he gathered insights, he began to see the marketplace for what it truly was¡ª a battlefield.

    But unlike other fights, this one required patience, cunning, and a keen understanding of the human heart. That was an economic market and one couldn''t just brute force their way to the top in it unlike cultivation.

    Every time he made his rounds through the marketplace, he felt strange eyes on him.

    He understood why. Clad in the fine robes of a young master from a reputable household, his appearance alone made him an oddity among the rougher, more practical traders and common folk.

    His handsome features, sharp yet softened by the polish of privilege, only made him stand out more. It was clear to anyone with half a mind that he didn¡¯t belong among the stall keepers and street merchants. Yet, here he was, day after day, seemingly more interested in their mundane dealings than a man of his stature should be.

    He didn''t let their looks bother him, though. They could whisper and speculate all they wanted; he had more pressing concerns.

    Still, there was no denying that his behaviour drew attention, especially from the Tang Clan''s family maid.

    Tang Xiulan didn¡¯t accompany him every day, but whenever she had free time, she would quietly follow, her eyes constantly flickering to him as if trying to decipher some hidden motive behind his actions.

    Today was such a day where she had been around.

    At first, he ignored her glances. But as they walked, they grew more frequent until he could no longer pretend not to notice. Finally, he turned to her, his tone measured but with a hint of impatience.

    "If you have something to say, then say it," he demanded, watching as she flinched at his directness.

    She hesitated, clearly torn between her duty and her curiosity. After a moment, she nodded, gathering her courage before asking the question that had been gnawing at her. "Young master, why are you doing this? Visiting the stalls every day, speaking to these merchants¡­ It''s not something someone of your standing would usually do."

    His eyes softened slightly as he considered her question.

    He knew that his behaviour must seem strange to her, someone who had known his predecessor, an arrogant and untouchable young master. But again, it was not his reality anymore. He was not the previous Chen Ren and he could never be like a cultivator too stuck up his ass.

    Chen Ren¡¯s response was simple, ¡°I did tell you before. I want to start up a business and I¡¯m doing market research for it,¡± he said with a straight face as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

    Xiulan blinked in surprise, her expression shifting from confusion to shock as if he had just uttered the most blasphemous statement she had ever heard.

    She stared at him, waiting for the punchline, but when she realised he wasn¡¯t joking, her shock turned to concern.

    ¡°Young master,¡± she began carefully, appearing as if she was trying to find the right words to convey her doubts without offending him. ¡°Starting a business isn¡¯t easy. There are many rules and regulations to follow. You¡¯ll need to establish a supply chain, deal with suppliers, and manage all sorts of details. It¡¯s... it¡¯s not something to be taken lightly. If you really want to start up a business, you should do so with cultivators, not among stall owners.¡±

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    ¡°Do you think cultivators would let me deal with them? Even if I have a good product, there''s no guarantee they won''t just steal it. I''m not strong enough to work with them.¡±

    Tang Xiulan again looked alarmed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry young master, but still, mortal businesses are a complicated matter.¡±

    He saw those words coming from a mile away. From the start, ever since he let her know what his plans were, she had not been optimistic about him starting a business.

    Chen Ren nodded along. ¡°I¡¯m aware of that, Xiulan. That¡¯s why I¡¯ve decided to start with something simple, something that¡¯s easy to manage but has the potential to grow into something much larger. A business that could span the entire Kalian Empire if done correctly.¡±

    Her scepticism was palpable, but by how she was fidgeting her fingers, it looked like her curiosity got the better of her. ¡°What kind of business can that be, young master?¡± she asked, her tone cautious.

    Chen Ren turned to her, his eyes gleaming with determination. ¡°You already know the answer to that too. A stall.¡±

    For a moment, Xiulan¡¯s face was a portrait of disbelief. She stared at him as if he had just declared himself the emperor of the empire: her eyebrows about to touch her hairline and her jaw about to hit the floor. But then, as if remembering her place, all her facial features quickly returned to their natural state.

    She inhaled a generous amount of air and stood like she normally did. After all, she had no right to question him, even if his plan seemed... contentious to her.

    They soon arrived at the familiar stall, one that had become a part of his daily routine. Today, there were only a few men who stood in front of it.

    Unlike some busy days where an extra person would be too much in a crowded place, Chen Ren found it easy to walk closer to the stall and stand in the front.

    The stall owner, Old Man Tian, was cheerful doing his daily skewer selling to a tall man who mindlessly captured the entire space. He immediately spotted him and greeted him with a broad grin, clearly pleased to see a repeat customer.

    ¡°Ah, young master! Welcome back!¡± Old Man Tian called out. ¡°You have brought the young miss here again today.¡±

    Chen Ren smiled at that. Without waiting for a response, Old Man Tian started preparing his grill.

    ¡°What will it be today? The usual?¡±

    Chen Ren nodded, his expression calm. ¡°Yes, two skewers, please.¡±

    As the stall owner expertly prepared the skewers, Chen Ren turned to Xiulan and handed one to her without a word.

    They ate in silence for a moment.

    After a few bites, Chen Ren looked up and asked, ¡°Were you able to do that thing I asked for?¡±

    Old Man Tian¡¯s eyes brightened with understanding. ¡°Yes, young master,¡± he replied with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s all taken care of. All that¡¯s left is to submit the document at the government office, explaining the nature of your stall and such.¡±

    Chen Ren gave a small nod of appreciation. ¡°Thank you. What time would be best to do that?¡±

    The stall owner leaned in slightly. ¡°Tomorrow morning, early. That¡¯s when the clerks are in a good mood and the lines aren¡¯t too long.¡±

    ¡°Understood,¡± Chen Ren said, finishing his skewer with deliberate care. He handed the empty sticks back to the stall owner with a nod of thanks before turning to leave, Xiulan following close behind.

    As they walked back home, Xiulan stepped closer to Chen Ren. ¡°Young master,¡± she began hesitantly. ¡°What was that conversation about? You seem unusually close to that stall owner.¡±

    ¡°Old Man Tian is one of the oldest vendors on this street,¡± he explained. ¡°He¡¯s seen many come and go, and he¡¯s always been more than willing to chat. Over time, I¡¯ve made it a point to talk with him whenever I visit his stall and get a good rapport with him. Yesterday, I talked to him about getting a permit for the stall and he helped with it. As you know, doing anything in a government office isn''t something as straightforward as it seems.¡±

    Xiulan frowned slightly, trying to piece together what he meant. ¡°Not straightforward...?¡±

    Chen Ren nodded. ¡°Getting a permit isn¡¯t just about submitting a document. Sometimes, you¡¯re expected to grease a few palms to get things done quickly, but I don¡¯t have the funds for that. So, I¡¯ve had to rely on good relationships and advice from those who¡¯ve been through the process before.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t you just¡­ force your way through it?¡± she asked, surprising him a bit.

    ¡°I can, but I have realised violence isn''t the best way to solve things. If I forced my way in, there''d be tens of ways more trouble could come my way. If I smack a simple clerk, he would bring out his nephew who''s in a sect. If I smack him, the nephew would bring out his master,¡± he said, ignoring the petrified look on Tang Xiulan''s face. ¡°I asked the stall owner to put in a word with a clerk he might know. Not every clerk is the same¡ª some are more by the book, while others expect a little something extra. He pointed me toward one who won¡¯t take bribes and will get the job done quickly.¡±

    ¡°What does the stall owner get out of it in return, young master?¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips curled into a slight smile. ¡°He gets to do a small favour for a cultivator and a young master. I¡¯ve subtly hinted at my intentions while enjoying his skewers, and he probably thinks I¡¯m just playing around with the idea of running a stall or that it¡¯s some sort of mental training as a cultivator. It doesn¡¯t matter what he believes. What matters is that he now has a story to tell¡ª how he helped out a young master who¡¯s also a cultivator. That¡¯s worth more to him than any silver I could offer.¡±

    Xiulan nodded thoughtfully as they reached their compound. Chen Ren moved around to start heading towards his room from the courtyard.

    At that moment, Tang Xiulan¡¯s voice called him out. ¡°Young master, you might get the permit, but what are you planning to sell? From what I know, most things already have established stalls with regular customers.¡±

    Chen Ren paused, turning to her with a confident smile. ¡°I¡¯ve thought about that for a while,¡± he said. ¡°And I¡¯ve come up with something that will stand out¡ª a dish that no one here has tried before, something they won¡¯t be able to get enough of.¡±

    Intrigued, Xiulan¡¯s eyes widened at his words. ¡°What dish is that?¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s smile widened as he replied, ¡°How about I make some for you to try? All I need is a bag of rice and a mortar.¡±

    Xiulan blinked in surprise but quickly understood the intention behind his words. ¡°I¡¯ll get them right away, young master,¡± she said, hurrying off to gather the requested items.

    ***

    A pair of sharp, shrewd eyes followed Chen Ren¡¯s every move, hidden in the shadows of a nearby alleyway.

    The figure observing him had been tracking his behaviour for days, ever since he had begun his seemingly aimless wanderings through the marketplace. Tang Xiulan''s flabbergasted expressions and confused questions did nothing to reassure the observer. If anything, they only confirmed what she had already suspected.

    Chen Ren was dead and someone else had taken over his body.

    The observer¡¯s thoughts swirled as she recalled the events that had led her to this conclusion.

    She had already known something was amiss when he had woken up after that fateful defeat. The Chen Ren she knew would have been crushed by the loss, wallowing in despair, perhaps seeking solace in the pleasures of the brothels or the bottom of a wine jar. But this man¡ª he had done none of that.

    Instead, he walked around town with a sense of purpose, a glint of determination in his eyes that had never been there before. He seemed... almost fascinated by the world around him as if seeing it for the first time.

    Her eyes narrowed as she continued to follow him, moving through narrow spaces, windows and rooftops. Every morning, she watched him converse with Xiulan, noting every detail, every shift in his demeanour.

    This imposter was clever, she had to give him that. But he had made a fatal mistake¡ª he underestimated the power of those who could see beyond the surface.

    She could see the souls of everyone¡ª and this soul was different.

    It was stronger and more resilient, and it was slowly merging with the remnants of Chen Ren¡¯s original soul.

    Whoever this person was, he wasn¡¯t the defeated young master who had once inhabited this body. Was he a demonic cultivator? Or perhaps a shapeshifter, one skilled enough to take on another¡¯s identity so seamlessly? She couldn¡¯t be sure. But she was certain of one thing¡ª this man was not Chen Ren.

    Her gaze hardened as she stepped back further into the shadows, her eyes glinting with a menacing glow. Whoever he was, she would find out soon enough. Their meeting was inevitable, and when it happened, she would uncover the truth behind this strange soul inhabiting Chen Ren¡¯s body.

    As she slipped away, blending into the darkness, a cold smile played on her lips. The imposter might think he was clever, but she was always one step ahead. And when the time came, he would have to answer for whatever game he was playing.

    That was her duty.

 Chapter 4: Rice... What?

    Tang Xiulan walked quietly to the kitchen, her gaze fixed on the distant mountains that were visible from outside the chamber halls, but her thoughts were wandering away, wrapped around the figure of a man who only recently was known as one of the most arrogant and hedonistic men in Cloud Mist City.

    Chen Ren¡ª the young master she temporarily served, had been quite the individual whom she had gotten the chance to observe a few too many times to her liking.

    He was bold, brash, and full of empty boasts¡ª but now, she found herself at a loss with this new persona. He had been flaunting his cultivation, tossing around his weight in the city, and flirting with anything that moved, but now¡­

    Now he was different.

    It started after the defeat by Li Xuan. It hadn¡¯t been something small, the young master had almost died in front of many people. That day had shaken him to his core, she could tell.

    But instead of the loud proclamations of revenge or desperate attempts to regain his lost face, he had retreated into himself.

    He kept to his chambers, scribbling away in a language she didn''t recognize. She had taken a peek at it when she had entered his room to clean and found the language unfamiliar and foreign.

    Tang Xiulan wasn''t illiterate and had been taught the common script. But it wasn''t that.

    Moreover, there was a politeness to him now that hadn''t existed before, a quiet respect in the way he spoke and acted. Not just with her, but with everyone.

    He even talked about starting a business, of all things! The idea was so far removed from the man she once knew that it made her wonder if he was even the same person.

    Xiulan couldn''t shake the feeling that he was playing some kind of game, that this was all a facade. Yet when she looked into his eyes, she saw something she hadn''t seen before¡ª a light, a spark of purpose and clarity that had been missing before.

    They were not the eyes of a defeated man, nor of one who sought to reclaim his former glory through the same reckless means.

    No, these were the eyes of someone who had glimpsed something greater, something beyond the petty squabbles of sects and clans, beyond the simple pleasures of life.

    And that unsettled her more than anything.

    The man she once knew might have been a fool, but he was a predictable fool. This new version, with his quiet intensity and strange behaviour, was a mystery she wasn¡¯t sure she wanted to solve.

    Though she was certain he''d give up sooner or later, her confidence wavered when she discovered the reason behind his visits to the stall owners. It was a strategy so unexpected that it caught her off guard.

    Her mind drifted back to a few months prior when the family head had handed the young miss, Tang Yuqiu, a sum of money to start a business. To test her capabilities. But, she had faltered at the very first hurdle, unable to secure a permit due to the officials'' endless delays and other lazy reasons¡ª and her father had barred her from using the family name to sway things in her favour.

    But Chen Ren¡­ Chen Ren was already ahead of where the young miss had stumbled, though she doubted his approach would lead to anything substantial.

    The idea that he could create a dish unique enough to captivate the entire empire seemed like just another empty boast¡ª a large but empty boast.

    So when he had asked her to bring rice and a mortar, claiming he would craft this so-called legendary dish, she nodded and fetched the sack of rice that had been sitting in the kitchen, along with a mortar.

    As she handed him the items, a part of her wanted to see him fail¡ª wanted to see that spark in his eyes and movements extinguished by the harsh reality that the world wasn¡¯t so easily conquered, things couldn¡¯t be easily achieved.

    When she gave the items, Chen Ren took them from her hands without a word, his expression unreadable.

    Then, to her surprise, he asked, ¡°Can you help me out? This might take a while.¡±

    There was no hint of the usual bravado in his tone, just a calm expectation that she would follow his lead.

    Tang Xiulan nodded. ¡°Okay.¡±

    They started by rinsing, then soaking the rice, a process that took six to seven hours¡ª an eternity in Xiulan''s mind. She had never known a dish to require such long and careful preparation, and the repetitive nature of it wore on her patience.

    When it was finally done, Chen Ren turned around and looked at her.

    He handed her the mortar. ¡°Grind it,¡± he said, leaving no room for debate.

    Xiulan couldn''t help but wonder if she was the one making the dish while he simply watched, but she complied nonetheless, her curiosity piqued despite the work.

    Either way, even if the entire thing ends up being an utter waste of time, she was just a maid. How could she defy the young master? Also, they had already spent quite a lot of time on this. Washing rice then soaking them for almost seven hours¡­ Really?

    Xiulan shook her head and focused on grinding the rice, resulting in a smooth paste.

    Throughout the process, she repeatedly asked what they were making, but Chen Ren remained tight-lipped, offering nothing more than a cryptic smile and a promise that she would soon see for herself.

    Finally, she finished her task and turned to him.

    ¡°And now?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Now, you watch.¡±

    He prepared a bamboo steamer and lined it with a cloth. Then, he poured a thin layer of the rice batter before closing the lid. After a minute, he opened the steamer and carefully removed the cooked layer of rice, placing it on a cutting board. He poured another layer of batter and repeated the process until all was used.

    Once the cooked rice had slightly cooled, he rolled the layers and cut them into thin strips, his hands moving with unexpected precision. The silence between them was punctuated only by the soft rustle of the wind outside.

    Xiulan had never seen anything like it before. She watched, half in wonder, half in disbelief, as he took the strips and they moved back to the kitchen.

    There, he gathered the strips in a bowl, their texture smooth and translucent. The simplicity of the act belied the anticipation that had built up in the hours of preparation.

    ¡°What is this called, young master?¡± she asked once again, not able to contact her curiosity.

    He smiled. ¡°Noodles.¡±

    Tang Xiulan had never heard that before, but before she could ask more questions about it, another order came from Chen Ren.

    ¡°I want you to bring me vegetables. Whatever you have, bok choy, spinach, mushrooms, green onions, scallions, carrots, broccoli. Make haste,¡± Chen Ren said while she tried to keep everything in her mind.

    The list wasn¡¯t hard to memorise so she quickly walked off to fetch them, still unsure of how the noodles might taste.

    After she brought them back, they chopped the vegetables together, the slamming of the knife against the board being the only noise in the room. From time to time, she would glance at the young master and wonder how he was so skillful with a knife.

    She knew about his skills with the sword due to his boasting, but she had no idea it would also make him proficient in chopping.

    ¡°What should we do next?¡± she asked once all the vegetables she managed to bring were cut into small pieces. Her question went unanswered as Chen Ren walked around the small space to reach the boiling water.

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    ¡°Hand me the vegetables,¡± he commanded.

    She quickly took it to him and watched him throw them into the pot. A few minutes later, he scooped them out and added them to the rice noodles. The smell made Xiulan¡¯s stomach grumble.

    He turned and handed the bowl to Xiulan, who blinked at it in mild confusion.

    ¡°These ¡®noodles¡¯, are they for me?¡± she asked, tilting her head at the unfamiliar dish.

    ¡°Yes, and these are called rice noodles. There are more varieties of them depending on the ingredients you use,¡± he replied, his tone casual as if the name of the dish wasn¡¯t strange at all. Seeing the bewilderment on her face, he simply added, ¡°Go on, try it and tell me what you think.¡±

    Xiulan hesitated, the nerves evident in the way she handled the chopsticks. She took a small bite, half-expecting the dish to be as strange in taste as its name.

    To her surprise, the noodles were chewy, with a satisfying texture that paired well with the boiled vegetables. It could use a bit more seasoning, but the initial taste wasn¡¯t bad at all. It was¡­ pleasant.

    ¡°It tastes good,¡± she admitted, her voice carrying a hint of surprise.

    Chen Ren nodded and took the bowl from her, tasting the noodles himself. But unlike her, his expression shifted into a frown as soon as the noodles hit his tongue.

    ¡°It doesn''t even taste half as good as ramen,¡± he muttered and all Tang Xiulan could think of was one thing.

    ***

    As Chen Ren set the bowl down, his mind churned with dissatisfaction.

    The rice noodles had come out well enough for a first attempt, but they were far from perfect. The texture was decent, and the flavour was acceptable, but ¡°acceptable¡± wouldn¡¯t be enough if he wanted to turn this into a product that could dominate the market.

    The memory of Xiulan¡¯s reaction played in his mind¡ª her initial surprise, the cautious bite, and the eventual approval. She enjoyed it, yes, but she hadn¡¯t been blown away. And that wasn¡¯t good enough for him. He couldn¡¯t afford to settle for mediocrity, not when the stakes were this high.

    If he was going to make a name for himself, if he was going to sell this dish across the empire, then it needed to be more than just acceptable. It needed to be exceptional. Every bite had to leave an impression, something that would linger on the tongue and make people crave more.

    Hence, from that day onward, he began experimenting in earnest.

    Each day brought new variations, new attempts to refine the texture, balance the flavours, and elevate the simple ingredients into something that¡¯d leave his mark behind. He knew he had a long way to go, but he was determined.

    Because if he knew anything, it was that food could be something that would be etched into one¡¯s mind like a tattoo, whether it was good or bad. Foods were memories, and they could easily shock the taste buds, digging into the senses of one¡¯s very being.

    Another important thing when it came to them was their scent.

    He needed his noodles to be something that people crave daily¡ª and for any dish to truly succeed, the details had to be perfect. For that, experimenting was the key.

    If he didn¡¯t dive deep into each aspect of the process, his efforts would be wasted, and customers wouldn''t return.

    He must not give up, especially when his life was at stake.

    Fortunately, the Tang Clan had an abundant supply of rice because one of their businesses was selling rice, and with the guest room courtyard currently unoccupied, he had the space and freedom to test his recipes.

    So, each day, he set to work, creating rice noodles with a focus that bordered on obsession.

    He experimented with everything: the exact amount of rice, how long he soaked it, the boiling time, the vegetables, the salt.

    Every evening, he called Tang Xiulan to taste the newest batch, using her feedback to make incremental changes. She was candid with her opinions, sometimes too much so, but it was exactly what he needed. Each critique helped him refine the recipe further.

    At the same time, Chen Ren kept a careful eye on the cost of ingredients.

    He knew that while rice was relatively cheap, it alone wouldn''t be enough to draw in a large customer base. The addition of salt and vegetables, though necessary for flavour, also increased the overall cost, which was something he had to keep in mind if he wanted the business to be profitable.

    He realised that creating a sauce to accompany the noodles¡ªespecially a spicy one¡ª could be a key factor in making his dish stand out.

    But before he could even think about adding that extra layer of flavour, he needed to perfect the texture of the noodles themselves. They had to be more than just edible; they had to be something that left a lasting impression, something that people would come back for.

    Fortunately, it seemed that Chen Ren¡¯s efforts were paying off.

    Xiulan''s once sceptical eyes now watched him with anticipation every day as he prepared the noodles. He could tell that she expected something different every time she brought the chopstick to her lips.

    But it wasn¡¯t just her¡ª word of his daily experiments had spread among the servants, and even a young maid, who was too enthusiastic to know about the dish and taste, began showing up regularly, eager to sample it and offer her thoughts.

    Her name was Lihua and she had been supportive throughout, not just with trying the dish, but also with words of motivation. It seemed as if this young maid rooted for Chen Ren due to the flirting of his predecessor.

    Whenever she was done with tasting a meal, she¡¯d say things like, ¡°Young master, I will come by tomorrow too. It was better than yesterday and I feel less boiling time would do wonders. Firmer noodles like two days ago would be great, or it could be my personal preference. Either way, eating a dish from your own hands seems like a dream.¡±

    Xiulan squinted her eyes at Lihua before turning to the noodles. ¡°I prefer softer noodles. Maybe young master, you should try adding oil to the boiling water to prevent sticking and to add a subtle flavour.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded. He had thought of it considering there were so many ways that noodles could be made.

    ¡°How¡¯s the broth?¡± He asked.

    ¡°The salt ratio is perfect, I feel,¡± the younger maid replied with excitement. Xiulan on the other hand, simply nodded along.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Chen Ren collected the dishes and went back, knowing the other maids would come rushing in soon. It was quite¡­ exciting.

    At first, Chen Ren thought they were merely being helpful, giving him feedback to refine his recipe. But the stars in their eyes and the way they eagerly awaited each new serving told a different story¡ª they genuinely liked the noodles.

    A small part of him was tempted to start charging them, but since he wasn¡¯t paying for the ingredients, he decided against it. Besides, he didn¡¯t want to risk discouraging them from coming back; their enthusiasm was valuable in its own right. These taste testers were the key to refining his dish.

    As he continued to make noodles for them every day, he found an unexpected joy in the process. A type of joy that couldn¡¯t be put into words but warmed the heart from the inside when he thought about it.

    Creating something that others enjoyed was fulfilling in a way he hadn¡¯t anticipated.

    While his ultimate goal was to make money, the satisfaction he felt when he saw the pleasure on their faces made the effort worthwhile¡ª at least for now.

    He started piling the bowls so that he could be ready to serve when the maids came rushing in.

    It was during these moments of focus, that he noticed something strange.

    His qi would occasionally flare up in his core, a sudden surge of energy that caught him off guard. He felt it everywhere to the tip of his fingers. A sensation, a tingle¡ª a rush of something.

    It happened a few times as he worked on the noodles, but since there were no other effects, he didn¡¯t dwell on it too much.

    Like all those times, he chalked it up to his lack of training since arriving in this world, dismissing it as a minor side effect of his current lifestyle.

    For now, his focus was entirely on perfecting his noodles.

    With each new batch of noodles, he refined his process, and more and more servants began lining up in the guest room courtyard.

    Their eager faces waited for their turn to taste his creation. It almost felt like he was already running a stall, and the idea of taking the next step¡ª moving outside and starting a real business¡ª began to take root in his mind.

    ***

    Tang Yuqiu, the young miss of the Tang family, returned from overseeing one of the family¡¯s businesses. There was no work, but just checking if everything was going right was also a part of running a business.

    As she entered the main courtyard that evening, she was struck by the unusual stillness. The place was eerily quiet, with not a single servant in sight.

    Normally, they would at least be picking up water from the well and there would be the sound of footsteps or chatter, but today it was as if the place was abandoned.  S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Frowning, she turned to her maid, who always accompanied her.

    ¡°Where is everyone?¡± Tang Yuqiu asked, her voice laced with irritation.

    Her maid hesitated for a moment before replying, ¡°There¡¯s been a rumour, miss¡­ about Young master Chen Ren. They say he¡¯s been making a dish for the servants every evening in the guest kitchen. They could be there.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu scoffed, rolling her eyes. ¡°Chen Ren? That idiot? He can¡¯t do anything right. What could he possibly be making that¡¯s worth their time?¡±

    Despite her dismissive words, curiosity got the better of her, and she motioned for her maid to lead the way. As they made their way through the corridors towards the guest courtyard that was adjacent to the main one, the distant sound of chatter and laughter grew louder, guiding them toward the source of the commotion.

    Finally, they turned a corner and came upon a long line of servants stretching out from the guest room courtyard. Even some of the older servants had joined the queue, waiting patiently with eager expressions.

    At the front, Tang Yuqiu spotted Chen Ren and Tang Xiulan working together, preparing something and handling the bowls with utmost care.

    The moment the servants noticed Tang Yuqiu¡¯s arrival, the lively atmosphere froze.

    All eyes turned toward her, the air thick with tension as everyone stepped back, unsure of what to expect.

    Tang Yuqiu marched forward, her gaze narrowing as she approached Chen Ren.

    ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± she asked loudly, unable to hold what she was witnessing.

    Without looking up, Chen Ren responded with slight irritation from being disturbed, ¡°Who the hell are you?¡±

 Chapter 5: First day

    ¡°Who are you?¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s hands paused over the steaming pot of noodles as a shadow fell over him.

    He looked up and felt immediate regret when his gaze met the figure before him.

    Not because her presence commanded some sort of attention, but because her face resonated in the depths of his memory. The young miss of the Tang Clan¡ª there was no mistaking her. Different memories came rushing into him as he looked at her for a second more.

    She was young, with sharp, thin eyes, pursed lips and a pointed nose, with an elegance that belied her age. Her long, black hair flowed, framing a face that could easily be mistaken for a painted portrait. Her eyes, dark as night, held a sharpness that pierced through him¡ª or anyone who could be standing in his position. He finally noticed how her short figure was looking up at him with an unwavering look of questioning¡ª¡®Who are you?¡¯ ¡ª

    Chen Ren mentally slapped himself knowing he could¡¯ve at least looked up before questioning with such a commanding voice. But what was done was done.

    Before Chen Ren could speak up and clean the little mess he made, she spoke.

    "So, now you need me to introduce myself?" A slight mocking smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she continued, "I¡¯m Tang Yuqiu, the young miss of the clan you¡¯ve been staying with all this time. If you can put on this show with the servants, it seems your injuries have healed. I thought even if you woke up after losing the battle, you wouldn¡¯t dare show your face in the Tang Clan."

    Chen Ren, unfazed by her words, bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement. He knew better than to take offence; the relationship between them was complex as he had seen and known from Chen Ren¡¯s memories. "I didn¡¯t know you¡¯d be around," he replied calmly. "And yes, my injuries have healed. As for the servants, I¡¯m just cooking something for them."

    Tang Yuqiu arched an eyebrow, scepticism clear in her eyes.

    "Cooking? Do you really think I believe that? You¡¯ve never been one to speak kindly to the servants, let alone cook for them."

    Chen Ren allowed a small smile to play on his lips as he gestured to the steaming bowls and the line of servants waiting eagerly. "As you can see, I¡¯ve changed a bit."

    Before Tang Yuqiu could respond, Tang Xiulan stepped forward, her tone respectful yet firm. "Young Miss, young master is indeed cooking and distributing noodles to the servants. I¡¯m helping him with that. It¡¯s also not interfering with their work; they come here after finishing their duties." sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Tang Yuqiu stared at Tang Xiulan, her expression blank with shock. Her eyes went from his to the sight of the servants eagerly waiting for their turn, empty bowls in their hands.

    The idea of a servant, especially one like Xiulan, defending Chen Ren was unthinkable, yet here it was, unfolding right before her eyes. Chen Ren himself was taken aback.

    Snapping out of his surprise, Chen Ren turned to Tang Yuqiu, his tone casual yet inviting. ¡°If you¡¯d like, young miss, you can try the noodles for yourself.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu looked down at the steaming bowl of noodles in the servant''s hand, her brows furrowed in confusion. ¡°What even is that? Noodles?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s made from rice. You¡¯ll like it,¡± Chen Ren replied with a hint of confidence as he quickly prepared a bowl for her.

    Scooping up the already prepared noodles, he added a good amount of vegetables and broth. After all, he couldn''t be stingy with someone who had technically provided him the ingredients.

    Tang Yuqiu¡¯s eyes widened as he handed her the bowl. She glanced between it and Chen Ren, unable to hide her shock at the sheer audacity of the situation.

    The longer she hesitated, the more awkward the moment became.

    Without missing a beat, Chen Ren prepared another bowl, this time for her maid, who took it with a clumsy bow. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± he said with a chuckle. ¡°It¡¯s not poisoned.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu¡¯s cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and irritation. She looked at the bowl again.

    Finally, she relented and took a cautious bite.

    Chen Ren watched her closely, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips. The pride of a cook settled deep in his heart.

    The last few days had been spent in a relentless pursuit of perfection. Rice noodles were a simple dish, yet within that simplicity lay countless possibilities. He had worked tirelessly, refining the texture and firmness of the noodles, adjusting the broth, and adding just the right amount of vegetables to enhance the taste. Seeing Tang Yuqiu¡¯s expression soften as she ate, he knew he had succeeded in conquering the tastes of probably his richest customer until date.

    He recalled her father was quite the foodie and because of that, she had eaten quite a lot of different types of dishes. If his noodles could impress her, then he definitely had the required skills to make it big.

    When she finally finished, Tang Yuqiu looked at him, her gaze softened by a touch of wonder. ¡°It was¡­ good.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s smile widened. ¡°Would you like seconds?¡±

    She hesitated, her pride flaring up again, but from how she looked at the noodles, it was clear that the allure of them was undeniable for her.

    After a moment¡¯s pause, she nodded, albeit reluctantly.

    As he handed her another bowl, he couldn¡¯t help but tease, ¡°Mind if I finish distributing the rest to the servants? There¡¯s a lot of noodles, and you can¡¯t eat it all, right?¡±

    Tang Yuqiu glared at him, a mix of irritation and amusement in her eyes. ¡°Obviously not. You can continue. We can¡¯t waste food.¡±

    With a light chuckle, Chen Ren resumed serving the noodles, the servants smiling appreciatively as they received their portions. As he worked, he could feel Tang Yuqiu¡¯s gaze on him, her curiosity growing with each passing moment.

    ¡°What are you doing with these noodles anyway?¡± she finally asked, her tone laced with suspicion. ¡°Are the bars closed or have they finally decided to kick you out due to pending tabs? Why are you here cooking these dishes?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Chen Ren replied, his tone steady as he finished handing out a bowl of noodles. ¡°I¡¯m not interested in bars anymore.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu blinked, clearly taken aback by his response. ¡°You¡¯re not?¡±

    Chen Ren shook his head. ¡°No, I¡¯m doing this to test out a business idea.¡±

    ¡°Are you serious?¡±

    Chen Ren sighed, more to himself than to her. ¡°Why does everyone think I¡¯m not serious? Yes, I¡¯m serious. Very serious. That¡¯s why I developed these noodles, and I¡¯m going to start selling them tomorrow.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu¡¯s expression remained doubtful. ¡°I don¡¯t believe it.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips curled into a confident smile. ¡°Then come see it for yourself. Do you really think I¡¯m just giving noodles out here for fun?¡±

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    She hesitated, clearly torn between disbelief and curiosity. Finally, she nodded. ¡°Sure, I will,¡± she said, setting her bowl down and preparing to leave. But before she could step away, Chen Ren gently reached out and grasped her hand.

    Tang Yuqiu¡¯s eyes flared with anger, her posture stiffening as she shot a glare at him.

    Touching her like that, especially in front of the servants, was a breach of decorum, bordering on something far more intimate. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± she demanded.

    Chen Ren quickly released her hand, his expression earnest. ¡°Let me buy ten pounds of rice from you.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I really want to sell these noodles,¡± Chen Ren explained. ¡°Right now, I¡¯m using ingredients from the guest room kitchen, but if I¡¯m going to sell them, I can¡¯t keep doing that. There¡¯s honour and ethics in business, and I want to do this the right way, unless you have fallen for my noodles and want to donate the ingredients.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu studied him for a long moment, ignoring his last few words before replying, ¡°I won¡¯t sell it cheap.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded, undeterred. ¡°We can negotiate. Right now. I don¡¯t need a lot, but if this works, we can talk about a bigger purchase.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu gave a thoughtful nod.

    ¡°Let¡¯s talk tomorrow,¡± she said before turning to leave, her posture more composed than before.

    ***

    Early the next morning, Chen Ren found himself standing with Tang Yuqiu in a quiet corner of the Tang Clan¡¯s storage area, the soft light of dawn casting long shadows over the bags of rice stacked neatly along the walls.

    A few guards stood nearby alongside Tang Yuqiu''s maid, their faces blank as they did nothing more than to add to the background.

    Ignoring them, he focused on the rice bags.

    He needed just ten pounds for now, enough to test his idea and see how the evening crowd would react to them.

    Tang Yuqiu watched him closely as he inspected the rice on his palms, her expression unreadable.

    The grains were clean, and polished to a near-perfect sheen. It was above average, at least¡ª definitely not the cheap stuff. Setting the small sample back down, he looked up at her.

    As one pound was priced around four to ten copper wen depending on the quality, Chen Ren thought for a moment.

    ¡°I¡¯ll give you five copper wen per pound,¡± he said, his tone straightforward.

    Tang Yuqiu arched an eyebrow, her voice firm.

    ¡°Ten copper. This rice is worth way more than what you¡¯re offering.¡±

    Chen Ren resisted the urge to sigh. He knew this wouldn¡¯t be easy. ¡°It¡¯s good quality, but ten copper is too much. Six copper per pound, and I¡¯ll take ten pounds.¡±

    She crossed her arms, clearly not inclined to back down. ¡°Nine copper and that¡¯s my final offer.¡±

    Chen Ren shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips.

    ¡°Seven copper is fair for both of us. I¡¯m not asking for charity, just a reasonable price. Seven copper and I¡¯ll consider this a done deal. Either way, this is probably not much for you to gather and I''m giving you a good opportunity to make a small profit.

    Tang Yuqiu narrowed her eyes, sensing the determination in his voice. After a long moment of silence, she relented with a slight nod.

    ¡°Fine. Seven copper per pound, but don¡¯t expect this kind of generosity next time.¡±

    Chen Ren chuckled, pleased with the outcome. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dream of it.¡±

    With the negotiations settled, Chen Ren quickly weighed out ten pounds of rice and handed over the agreed amount of copper coins.

    As he turned to leave, he noticed the young miss watching him with an expression of mild surprise.

    ¡°You¡¯re good at this,¡± Tang Yuqiu remarked, almost as if she couldn¡¯t quite believe it. ¡°I didn''t know your clan birthed merchants too.¡±

    Chen Ren offered her a modest smile. ¡°They don''t. At least not anyone I can remember. But they do have cultivators with a silver tongue who strive to get more than what''s in their fate. You can think of me as one of them. Either way, I¡¯ll see you around, young miss.¡±

    She nodded, still looking a bit stunned as he walked away, using a guard to carry the rice back to his temporary kitchen in the guest courtyard.

    Honestly, he didn''t need any help, but he was still a guest and a cultivator, and it wouldn''t look good for him to carry all that load. Though, he guessed that he was either way going to break a few cultivation conventions by selling noodles on a stall.

    The rest of the morning was peaceful. As it was going to be his start of the stall, he had to inform the servants he won''t be giving out more noodles to them.

    At the same time, he needed to make sure he had everything before he ventured to the streets. He already got the permit, so he just needed to prepare the ingredients and the stall.

    Chen Ren soaked the rice carefully, taking his time with every batch he took to wash. He also got a few vegetables. He wasn''t going to add them in the regular noodles, but he could always add more variety for more money.

    As the grains soaked, he turned his attention to setting up his stall.

    Carpentry wasn¡¯t his strong suit, so he scoured the Tang Clan manor until he found an old, unused stall in the old storage room. It wasn¡¯t much to look at¡ªcheap, weathered wood with a few splinters sticking out¡ª but it would do for now. As long as he had space to create noodles, he wouldn¡¯t bother to complain.

    He hauled it back to the guest courtyard and set it up, giving it a quick once-over to ensure it was stable.

    Next, he paid four coppers for a set of cheap bowls.

    They were plain and unadorned, but they would serve their purpose. Finally, he set to work on a signboard. His drawing skills were decent, and he carefully sketched out a simple image of a steaming bowl of noodles. Below it, he wrote in neat characters: ¡°Rice Noodles ¡ª 5 Copper Wen.¡±

    He knew that most of the population was illiterate, so the drawing would have to do most of the work. The image of the noodles, simple as it was, would hopefully catch the eye of anyone passing by.

    As the day went on, he felt more and more that he was ready. The stall was there, the rice noodles were prepared, and the signboard was prominently displayed.

    It was going to be the first evening of his first business venture in this new world.

    ***

    Chen Ren stood in the marketplace, setting up his modest stall in one of the few empty spots that were left.

    Tang Xiulan was by his side, helping him arrange the bowls and make sure everything was in place. It was a simple setup, nothing fancy, but it was all he needed to get started.

    As they finished arranging everything, Old Man Tian from the skewer stall across the way wandered over, eyeing Chen Ren¡¯s stall.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to see the young master personally selling stuff,¡± he said, his tone both amused and respectful.

    Chen Ren smiled and shrugged. ¡°I wanted to cook, and there¡¯s nothing better than seeing the satisfaction on people¡¯s faces when they enjoy good food.¡±

    The old man nodded, looking around at the crude setup before asking, ¡°So, what are you selling?¡±

    ¡°Noodles,¡± Chen Ren replied simply, gesturing to the signboard with the drawing of the rice noodles.

    The old man squinted at the sign, clearly puzzled. ¡°Noodles, eh? Never heard of them. How much, young master?¡±

    ¡°Five copper per bowl, seven for vegetable rice noodles,¡± Chen Ren said, hopeful that the man¡¯s curiosity might lead to a sale.

    But the old man shook his head, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

    ¡°Five copper, huh? Too much for a dish I never heard of. I think I¡¯ll stick to my skewers.¡± With that, he moved back to his own stall, leaving Chen Ren and Tang Xiulan to wait.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t think of it much either. Was the noodles overpriced? Not in any way. If anything, he had observed, calculated and measured if it was worth the price they were selling. Expectedly, anyone with a brain would know that it is.

    After Old Man Tian returned to his stall, Chen Ren and Xiulan waited.

    They waited... and waited.

    As the minutes turned into hours, not a single customer approached their stall.

    The market was lively, with the other stalls busy with activity, but Chen Ren¡¯s corner remained stubbornly quiet. He could feel the stress of each passing moment, the growing tension gnawing at the back of his mind.

    He couldn¡¯t blame the crowd. His stall, with its plain appearance and lack of seating, didn¡¯t exactly scream for attention. Plus, he was offering something completely new. A slow start was to be expected.

    But as the second hour dragged on without a single customer, Chen Ren¡¯s patience began to wear thin.

    He glanced over at the Old Man Tian¡¯s skewer stall, which was surrounded by people.

    The old man noticed him watching and with a mischievous glint in his eye, gave a smile that only served to stoke the embers of Chen Ren¡¯s frustration.

    ¡°I¡¯ll show him how to get a stall running,¡± Chen Ren muttered under his breath, his jaw tightening in determination.

    Tang Xiulan, who had been quietly observing the situation, looked up at him with curiosity. ¡°What are you going to do, young master?¡±

    He didn''t answer right away as his mind worked. In this world, most of the online marketing stuff he knew was useless and he had to rely more on word of mouth to attract attention, but if no one tried his noodles, there was never going to be any of that.

    The more he thought, the more he felt like he was close to getting an idea until his expression brightened with sudden inspiration. ¡°I have a great idea,¡± he said, a sly grin spreading across his face. ¡°Once it works, Old Man Tian would change his sly grin to one of envy.¡±

 Chapter 6: Marketing idea

    Chen Ren stood at his humble stall, the scent of freshly made rice noodles wafting through the air. Ever since he¡¯d been making those noodles, he felt like he smelled of rice noodles and broth.

    He looked around, taking in the sights and sounds.

    Lines and lines of stalls lined in the street, each vendor shouting out their wares with practised fervour. Brightly coloured banners fluttered in the wind, and the mixture of haggling voices melded with the clatter of carts and the laughter of children.

    He had overestimated himself.  S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Just because he had a product from Earth, he had thought it would be an instant success in this world. After all, it had worked back in the Tang Clan¡¯s courtyard¡ª servants lining up daily, eagerly awaiting his latest batch of noodles. But he realised now that there had been more to their enthusiasm than just the taste.

    They were curious about the novelty he brought with him, intrigued by his sudden transformation from a disinterested youth to a diligent cook. And, of course, the noodles were free.

    Out here, on the crowded streets of the city, it was a different story. His stall was just another face in the crowd, blending in with the myriad of other food vendors and merchants selling everything from exotic spices to handmade trinkets. No one stopped, no one even glanced his way. He was invisible among the throng, another forgettable peddler with no charm or allure to his setup.

    Chen Ren frowned, tapping his finger against the wooden counter.

    He needed to rethink his approach. Marketing, that was the key.

    Back on Earth, businesses rose and fell on the strength of word of mouth. He had learned that firsthand during his brief stint working in a noodle shop back in high school. He needed to create a buzz, and he had just the trick to get people talking.

    All he needed was a little bit of attention, something to draw in the first few customers and let word of mouth do the rest.

    His eyes roamed over the crowd, searching for inspiration.

    There were merchants haggling over prices, nobles in fine silks moving through the market with their retinues, farmers with weather-beaten faces hauling produce, and beggars crouched by the roadside, holding out their hands for alms. He took it all in, letting the chaos wash over him.

    Then, his gaze fell on a group of children huddled near the entrance of a narrow alley on the other side of the street.

    They were scruffy and tiny, with eyes wide with hunger and curiosity as they watched the busy stalls and the food being sold. Every now and then, they whispered among themselves, heads ducked low, as if trying not to draw attention to themselves.

    It was clear to anyone who would look at them to know what they were planning to do.

    A smile tugged at Chen Ren''s lips. They were the ones he was looking for.

    He walked with a slow, deliberate pace, blending into the sea of people as if he were part of the marketplace''s very fabric. His steps were light, like a leaf drifting along a stream. He approached the group of children huddled near the alleyway without them even noticing.

    "Hello there," he said softly, coming to a stop just a few feet away from the kids.

    The children jumped at his voice, their eyes going wide with fear. One of the younger boys, his face dirty and hair a matted mess, blurted out, "We haven¡¯t stolen anything, I swear!"

    Chen Ren chuckled, shaking his head. "I know you haven¡¯t," he replied, his tone gentle but knowing. "But I also know you were just about to."

    The kids froze, their expressions shifting from fear to sheer panic. Their eyes darted around, looking for an escape route, and he could see them inching backward, ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble.

    "Wait, wait!" Chen Ren raised his hands, palms out in a gesture of peace. "I''m not here to reprimand you or turn you in. I actually have a job for you, and if you do it well, I¡¯ll feed you. How does that sound?"

    The children hesitated, still on edge, but his words made them pause. Hunger and curiosity warred in their eyes, and they glanced at each other''s uncertainty. Finally, one of the older boys, who looked to be around twelve, asked, "What kind of job?"

    Before Chen Ren could answer, a girl with sharp eyes and roughly chopped hair stepped forward, her arms crossed over her chest. "We shouldn''t listen to him," she said to the others. Then she turned her gaze to Chen Ren, suspicion etched across her features. "We¡¯re not joining any gangs, mister."

    Chen Ren raised an eyebrow, amused. "Do I really look like a ruffian to you?" He gestured to his simple clothes, clean and well-maintained, and then pointed toward his stall. "I run that food stall over there. The job is straightforward, nothing dangerous. And once it''s done, you¡¯ll get to eat your fill."

    The girl hesitated, her eyes flicking back and forth between Chen Ren and the other children. He could see the wheels turning in her head as she weighed her options. Finally, she gave a slow nod, her stance relaxing slightly. "Alright, what¡¯s the job?"

    Chen Ren crouched down to their level.

    "All you need to do is spread a little word around the marketplace and in a few specific places. Tell them what exactly I tell you. Simple, right? Don¡¯t worry about the details, I will let you know about that."

    The kids exchanged glances, still not sure of Chen Ren, but the job seemed simple enough. Taking a final glance at the food stall, the girl nodded, staring right at him. "We can do that. Just don''t go back on your words."

    ***

    After a long, exhausting day of crunching numbers and balancing ledgers at the city lord¡¯s palace, Scholar Liu Wen emerged from the building, his mind still buzzing with calculations. The sun hung low in the sky, reminding him how long it had been since he walked inside the building. His stomach rumbled loudly, again reminding him that he hadn¡¯t had a chance to eat lunch.

    He grimaced slightly, rubbing his hand over his belly as he considered grabbing some street food on the way home.

    He was young and hadn''t gotten the chance to select a bride which meant that if he went home like this, he would have to cook himself. That was the last thing Liu Wen wanted to do right now. All he needed was some good food and a bed to rest to get over the tiredness of the long day.

    As he stepped onto the cobblestone street, a shrill voice cut through the crowd.

    "Free noodles! Free noodles on Market Street! Try it out today only! Special noodles from the eastern tribes, now available right here in Cloud Mist City. For free!"

    Liu Wen turned his head toward the source of the noise and spotted a young boy, his face streaked with dirt and his clothes worn and threadbare. The boy was standing on a crate, shouting with all his might. Despite his apparent shyness, he was doing his best to advertise, his eyes darting nervously over the growing crowd around him.

    The scholar adjusted his robes, glancing around at the people who had gathered to watch.

    Most of them were locals, their curiosity piqued by the promise of free food. The boy¡¯s proclamation had even caught the attention of a few wealthier passersby, their eyes narrowed with interest. Liu Wen¡¯s gaze returned to the boy, and he couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of sympathy.

    Clearly, the child was trying to earn some coin, but the mention of the eastern tribes'' cuisine had truly caught his attention.

    Liu Wen stroked his beard thoughtfully.

    The eastern tribes were a mysterious lot, known for their seclusion and rugged lifestyle that lived east to Kalian Empire.

    They were hunters and warriors, living in the wilds, and often looked down upon as uncultured brutes by the refined citizens of the empire. Yet, there were always whispers about the quality of their food¡ª robust flavours that could make even the most discerning palate dance in delightment. He had heard stories of spicy broths and smoky meats, dishes so flavorful that they lingered in one''s memory long after the meal was over.

    It was said that they harvested special spices, making their meals a delight to feast on and he knew a few emerging sects had tried to encroach upon their territory for the spices, but had been held back due to the terrain. Hence, their food was famous, especially among the upper class.

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    Unfortunately, the opportunity to taste such exotic cuisine rarely presented itself in the empire, let alone in Cloud Mist City.

    As Liu Wen pondered over this unexpected chance, the boy¡¯s eyes met his. Seizing the moment, the boy pointed directly at him, his voice cracking slightly as he shouted, ¡°Sir! You! If you want to try these special noodles, you better hurry to Market Street. Look for the stall with the red banner. If you don¡¯t go fast, the delicacy will run out!¡±

    The boy¡¯s earnestness brought a smile to Liu Wen¡¯s lips. He knew a marketing ploy when he saw one, but the child¡¯s enthusiasm was contagious. And, truth be told, the scholar was intrigued. He had missed lunch, and his stomach growled again, this time with renewed vigour. A taste of the eastern tribes'' cuisine was an opportunity he couldn¡¯t pass up.

    Nodding to himself, he adjusted his hat and made his way toward Market Street, weaving through the crowd.

    He could hear the boy¡¯s voice behind him, still shouting, still pulling in more curious onlookers. As he walked, Liu Wen couldn¡¯t help but chuckle to himself. Today had been a trying day, but perhaps, just perhaps, it would end on a high note with a belly full exotic dish¡ª noodles, the child said?

    As he approached the centre of Market Street, it didn¡¯t take long for him to spot the noodle stand. It was right opposite to the usual spot where he bought skewers from Old Man Tian.

    A man stood on a small wooden crate in front of a stall, his voice being the loudest of the noise of the crowd. ¡°Free noodles! Free noodles! Eastern delicacy, right here in Cloud Mist City! Come and get your free bowl today!¡±

    The man¡¯s shout attracted quite a crowd. Liu Wen pushed his way gently through the people, his eyes scanning the scene. A young girl stood beside the man, carefully handing out bowls of steaming noodles to those who approached.

    The man looked oddly out of place among the typical street vendors. His clothes, while not extravagant, were far too fine for a commoner, giving him an air that contrasted sharply with the usual rough-and-tumble sellers that lined Market Street. Even his face held a certain charm, rare for the place.

    As Liu Wen moved closer, his eyes landed on a small sign propped up on the side of the stall, listing the prices: ¡°Five coppers per bowl.¡± Confused, he turned to the man standing on the crate. ¡°Are the noodles free, or are they five coppers wen?¡± he asked, pointing to the sign.

    The man smiled warmly, hopping down from his perch. ¡°They¡¯re free today,¡± he said cheerfully. ¡°Would you like a bowl?¡±

    Liu Wen glanced around, observing the expressions of those already eating. The faces of the customers were filled with surprise and pleasure, and the aroma wafting from the stall was tantalising. His gaze met with a woman who was the dish as if it was her last meal. He almost gasped when she drank the broth in one go.

    He quickly withdrew his gaze and looked at the delicacy called noodles that he had never heard of before; they were long, thin strands swimming in a rich, fragrant broth that sizzled. His stomach grumbled once again, and he nodded. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll take a bowl.¡±

    With a swift, practised motion, the girl beside the man ladled a generous portion of noodles into a bowl and handed it over. ¡°Here you go!¡± she chirped, her eyes lit up.

    As Liu Wen accepted the bowl, the man behind the stall leaned forward slightly, his gaze friendly and curious. ¡°I couldn¡¯t help but notice you read the sign. Are you a scholar or a learned man, by chance?"

    Liu Wen raised an eyebrow, caught slightly off guard by the question. ¡°Yes, I am a scholar,¡± he replied. ¡°Do I look like one?¡±

    The man chuckled, nodding. ¡°Indeed, you do. You have the air of a distinguished gentleman, someone well-versed in the ways of the world.¡± His words were smooth, his tone sincere, and Liu Wen couldn¡¯t help but feel a small swell of pride at the compliment.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± he said, a slight smile tugging at his lips. It wasn¡¯t every day that his scholarly status was acknowledged outside of the palace. He took a moment to study the man again, still puzzled by his refined demeanour.

    ¡°Well, please enjoy,¡± the man continued, gesturing to the bowl in Liu Wen¡¯s hands."If you liked the noodles, please mention them to your colleagues at the city lord''s palace," he suggested. "I''m sure they would love to try it too."

    Liu Wen nodded, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "I will, if I like it," he replied, taking his first proper bite of the noodles. As the soft, chewy strands melted in his mouth, his eyebrows shot up in surprise. The noodles had a delightful texture, with just the right amount of firmness, and the broth¡ª oh, the broth! It was rich and full of complex flavours that danced on his tongue.

    If he didn¡¯t know better, he¡¯d be tearing up for how good the noodles were.

    There were a few vegetables in it and they were cooked to perfection¡ª just tender enough to bite through but still retaining a satisfying crunch. They provided a refreshing contrast to the rich, savoury broth that soaked into the noodles.

    He quickly dug in for another bite, and another, finding each mouthful better than the last. In what felt like no time at all, he had finished the entire bowl, but his hunger was far from satiated.

    Without a second thought, he looked up at the vendor and said, "Give me one more. It was excellent."

    The vendor, still smiling, shook his head. "I''m afraid each person can only have one free bowl. However, if you¡¯d like another, you can purchase it for five coppers. Also, you actually tried our vegetable rice noodles that come at seven coppers per bowl."

    Liu Wen glanced around, considering his options. He could see other food stalls nearby with skewers and buns, but the lingering taste of the noodles on his tongue made his decision for him.

    He felt a craving that wouldn¡¯t be satisfied by anything else. With a small sigh of defeat, he reached into his pouch and tossed the coins onto the counter. "Sure, take it," he said, unable to hide his eagerness.

    The vendor''s smile widened. "Thank you. I¡¯ll make this bowl myself," he said, turning to prepare another serving.

    Liu Wen watched as the man skillfully scooped the noodles and broth into a fresh bowl. The way he moved spoke of someone who knew exactly what they were doing. In moments, another steaming bowl was placed in front of him, and Liu Wen wasted no time digging in.

    ***

    After turning away the last group of customers that had arrived too late to try the free noodles, Chen Ren turned and walked over to a small group huddled around a wooden bench.

    The children who had been shouting in the streets earlier were now seated, each with a bowl of noodles in hand, eagerly slurping down their meal. The young girl who had been the most suspicious of him before looked at the noodles with glinting eyes, her face bright as she ate.

    He crouched down beside them and gently patted the girl on the head. "You all did well today," he said warmly. "Keep up the good work.¡±

    ¡°Thank you!¡± the young girl yelled in happiness. She slurped the last bit of the broth.

    Chen Ren stood up, looking down at the children with a satisfied nod. As he turned back toward his stall, he felt a sense of fulfilment wash over him. Not only had his plan to attract more customers worked, but he had also been able to provide a little kindness to those who needed it most. For him, that was a reward far greater than any amount of silver or gold.

    Thanks to his clever scheme, most of the noodles he had prepared for the day were sold out, drawing in a steady stream of curious customers.

    The promise of free noodles had lured them in, and, as expected, a fair number had come just to try something new without spending a coin. However, six of them had been so impressed that they purchased a second bowl, earning him a modest 34 copper coins. He was still at a loss with how much the pounds of rice had cost, but he didn''t care about it.

    As the day wound down and the crowd thinned, Chen Ren assessed the stall¡¯s remaining supplies, realising they were nearly out of everything. It was a good problem to have, he thought, given this was only the first day. He had hoped to create a buzz, and it seemed like his plan was working.

    As he instructed Tang Xiulan to pack up the stall, he saw a shadow fall over him. Though he¡¯d like it if it was a customer, it was Old Man Tian, one of the longtime street vendors who had seen many young and hopeful food vendors come and go¡ª his words to be exact.

    ¡°You got quite a lot of customers today, young master,¡± he remarked, eyeing the empty noodle pots. ¡°People do like free food.¡±

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t take offence at the comment, instead replying with a shrug, ¡°They do. And if it¡¯s good, they¡¯ll come back.¡±

    Old Man Tian scratched his chin thoughtfully. ¡°I don¡¯t know about that. People paying for something and getting it for free are two different things. When they get something for free, they¡¯re often reluctant to pay for it next time.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded, understanding the point. ¡°True, but only if the product isn¡¯t good enough for them to feel it¡¯s worth paying for. We¡¯ll see how things go tomorrow, one way or another.¡±

    Old Man Tian raised an eyebrow, clearly sceptical. ¡°Are you really planning to be back here tomorrow?¡±

    ¡°I will be,¡± he replied confidently.

    The old man nodded, his lips curling into a knowing smirk as if he thought this young, new, idealistic, foolish young master was wasting his time. ¡°Well, good luck to you then,¡± he said before turning and walking away, his gait slow but steady.

    As Old Man Tian disappeared into the crowd, Tang Xiulan turned to Chen Ren. ¡°He¡¯s not exactly wrong, you know. We sold out because it was free. But we¡¯re going to take a big loss if this keeps up.¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± he replied, glancing around at the remaining ingredients and the coins he had made. ¡°But it was just a one-day thing to get the word out. Besides, I don¡¯t have much money left to keep this up for long.¡±

    He paused, thinking about the meagre funds he had managed to scrape together. Over the past few days, he had scrounged through his clothes and belongings, finding about eight silver wen hidden in various pockets and pouches. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was all he had to keep his fledgling business afloat. If things didn¡¯t turn around soon, he might have to start selling his clothes just to get by.

    ¡°But my plan wasn¡¯t just to give out free food to spread the word,¡± he continued. ¡°There¡¯s more to it than that. You¡¯ll see tomorrow. I¡¯m pretty confident Old Man Tian is going to be in for a big surprise.¡±

    Tang Xiulan frowned at that. Her mouth opened and closed as if she was deciding if she should ask. Chen Ren patiently waited until she pursed her lips only to open them and question.

    ¡°Oh? What are you planning?¡±

    ¡°You''ll have to wait and see. Let¡¯s just say I have a few tricks up my sleeve.¡±

    With that, he finished packing up the stall, his mind already racing with ideas for the next day. Tang Xiulan shook her head, already having predicted his answer.

    Chen Ren knew he had taken a risk for the business with the current amount of equity they had by giving out free food, but he was betting on the quality of his noodles and the curiosity of the people.

    If he could turn that curiosity into regular customers, then today¡¯s investment would be well worth it. And if things went according to plan, tomorrow would be a turning point¡ª one that even Old Man Tian wouldn¡¯t see coming.

 Chapter 7: Booming business

    Tang Xiulan wiped her brow as she and Chen Ren finished the day¡¯s work.

    The sun had already long set, calming things around the courtyard from the busy state that they¡¯d been in the morning, but she still had some energy left.

    She helped Chen Ren carry the stall and bowls back to the guest courtyard. Despite her initial reluctance, she had grown accustomed to their routine, though she still found his behaviour puzzling.

    Once they had set everything down, Chen Ren turned to her with a small smile. ¡°Thanks for the help, Xiulan. I appreciate it. I will see you tomorrow.¡±

    Tang Xiulan nodded, caught off guard by his politeness yet again. No matter how many times he thanked her or spoke to her kindly, she couldn¡¯t quite get used to it. It wasn¡¯t just the words, but the way he looked at her¡ª as if she were a person, not just a mortal to be looked down upon. It was an unfamiliar sensation coming from Chen Ren who only ever treated people as livestock rather than humans.

    She recalled when he had first come to live with Chen Clan and had nearly crippled a maid because she had dared to take out his clothes to wash without asking. Although he had spared her later on, Tang Xiulan still recalled the look in his eyes. But now he was different.

    Like always, she wondered upon the reason for this transformation.

    There were only a few times in her life when she had seen people changing to this degree. Most of those moments revolved around the other maids or young girls from Tang Clan who would change drastically after getting their hearts broken by guys who never wanted to take responsibilities. They would then grow bitter, becoming shadows of their real selves.

    Maybe Chen Ren was like that too. Maybe his own heartbreak was the fight he lost, the one that seemed to have changed him so completely. She didn¡¯t know all the details, but she could see it in his eyes. Whatever pride or arrogance he once had seemed to have been stripped away, replaced by a quiet grit that was hard to ignore.

    The only difference was that rather than growing bitter, he had gained humanity and humility, things she never expected him to ever possess.

    As these thoughts ran through her mind, Tang Xiulan began her walk towards the main manor. Her feet moved almost automatically along the familiar path, the stone walkway worn smooth by weather and years of use.

    The manor was right ahead, a grand structure of carefully done woodwork and stone walls that seemed imposing. Carvings of dragons and phoenixes covered the eaves, their fierce gazes seeming to watch over the clan and protect them from calamities. The roof tiles were a deep, dark blue, catching the last light of the sun and reflecting it in a soft glow.

    She passed through a smaller gate that led to the inner courtyard. It wasn¡¯t her quarters, but she had business here today.

    As she approached the gate to the main building, she saw two guards standing at attention.

    They nodded to her as she came closer, their expressions neutral. ¡°Wait here for a minute,¡± one of them said, already familiar with her visits.

    Tang Xiulan waited patiently, her thoughts still on Chen Ren and the peculiar path his life seemed to be taking. A minute later, the guard returned and motioned for her to enter.

    Taking a deep breath, she stepped through the gate and into the main hall.

    The room had just a few candles flickering in the corners. The air was thick with the scent of incense, a constant in the Tang manor. In the centre of the room sat an older man, his hair grey and thinning, his cheeks sunken and pale. A neatly trimmed moustache framed his thin lips, giving him an appearance that was hard to read.

    This was the head of the Tang Clan, the young miss¡¯ father, Tang Jihao. He looked up as Tang Xiulan entered, his eyes sharp despite his frail appearance.

    Tang Xiulan bowed deeply and tried her best to keep her voice steady as she spoke. ¡°I am here to report.¡±

    Tang Xiulan kept her head bowed for a moment longer before speaking. ¡°Young Master Chen Ren started his stall today,¡± she began, her voice clear but respectful. ¡°He managed to sell all the noodles he had prepared.¡±

    The old man¡¯s eyes widened slightly, his gaze sharpening as he looked at her. ¡°All of them?¡± he asked, his tone incredulous. ¡°How?¡±

    Tang Xiulan nodded and then gave a brief summary of Chen Ren¡¯s marketing techniques. She started by saying how he didn''t get a lot of customers at first, but used the slum dwelling kids to advertise free noodles in exchange for feeding them. He also attached the label of it being a delicacy from the eastern tribes. Once people heard about free food, quite a lot of them came to try and according to Chen Ren, they were going to spread ¡°word of mouth¡± and the noodles will start to do better and better.

    ¡°It was a surprise to me,¡± she admitted. ¡°But he seemed to think it would help with the sales starting tomorrow.¡±

    Tang Jihao listened carefully, nodding as she spoke. When she finished, he leaned back in his chair and asked, ¡°These noodles... Are they actually from the tribes?¡±

    ¡°I did ask him,¡± Tang Xiulan replied. ¡°But the young master said it doesn¡¯t matter if they are or not. People just need to believe they¡¯re an exotic delicacy. It¡¯s not like the tribes are going to come to Cloud Mist City to do anything about it.¡±

    At that, a small smile appeared on the old man¡¯s lips. ¡°Chen Ren is more brazen than I expected,¡± he mused. ¡°But also smart.¡± His expression grew thoughtful. ¡°Is he still acting strange?¡±

    Tang Xiulan nodded again. ¡°Yes, Master. His personality has changed. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a facade¡ª if it were, he would have let it slip by now. But he hasn¡¯t.¡±

    Tang Jihao¡¯s eyes narrowed. His sunken eyes seemed to look scarier, but Tang Xiulan didn''t let it show it on her face.

    ¡°That¡¯s interesting. If his personality truly has changed, then perhaps it¡¯s worth not kicking him out just yet.¡±

    Tang Xiulan hesitated for a moment before speaking up. ¡°Master, may I ask something?¡±

    He glanced at her, curious. ¡°Go ahead.¡±

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you just kick him out?¡± she asked.¡°Is it because of the young miss?¡±

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    Tang Jihao''s smile returned, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

    He didn¡¯t answer immediately, letting the silence stretch just long enough to make Tang Xiulan wonder if she had overstepped. Then, finally, he spoke. ¡°Partly, yes. At least, that was the case when Chen Ren first walked in. It seemed like a golden opportunity to tie my daughter to a cultivator. As you know, she didn''t have the gift of immortality in her body and with her marrying a cultivator, at least the future generations will have a better chance. But with Chen Ren¡¯s personality back then, I threw that idea away. He was arrogant, reckless¡ª definitely not the kind of person I wanted to associate with my daughter.¡±

    He paused, rubbing his beard, ¡°Even now, with his new personality, I¡¯m not rushing into anything. It¡¯s not been long enough to see if the change is permanent. But I have to admit, it¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen a cultivator take an interest in business¡ª especially one like a street stall. Most cultivators don¡¯t see beyond selling pills or beast parts, and they usually keep to their sects or clan. So, I really want to see what Chen Ren aims to achieve with this. Even if the man is¡ªor was¡ª a wastrel, he¡¯s still a cultivator. It¡¯s quite unusual for someone like that to end up selling something as simple as these noodles. It suggests something major has happened to him. I know of his clan and they are an aggressive bunch, so him being a merchant is just going against everything his clan stands for.¡±

    Tang Xiulan slowly took in those words. Her master wasn''t wrong. Since Cloud Mist City was the closest place to Soaring Sword Sect, a guardian sect, there were a good number of cultivators in the city and out of all of them, Chen Ren had slowly turned the strangest.

    ¡°I¡¯ll keep being with him and keep an eye out, Master.¡±

    The old man gave a small smile and nodded. ¡°Good. But tell me, are the noodles actually good? I¡¯ve heard from the servants that they are, but it wouldn¡¯t be proper for the head of the Tang Clan to line up at a stall to eat.¡± He chuckled softly.

    Tang Xiulan suppressed a smile, a bit of amusement flickering in her eyes. Of course, she thought to herself, the master was a gourmet. She bowed again, hiding her amusement. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to bring some for you, Master.¡±

    Tang Jihao nodded, satisfied. ¡°Good. I look forward to trying them. Now, go on, and let me know if you notice anything else strange with Chen Ren.¡±

    Tang Xiulan bowed once more before leaving the room, a small smile tugging at her lips. For all his sternness, Master Tang could never resist good food.

    ***

    The next day, Chen Ren was up early, ready to start the stall once again. Thanks to the foresight of soaking the additional rice he had brought from Tang Yuqiu yesterday, he was able to open earlier than yesterday.

    A part of him was eager to catch the morning crowd¡ª those on their way to work or leaving their homes for various errands. He wanted to see if he could attract some early customers with his noodles.

    As always, Old Man Tian was already there, a constant presence in the early hours. He gave a short bow to Chen Ren when he saw him strolling up with Tang Xiulan by his side.

    Chen Ren returned the gesture with a nod but didn¡¯t say much. Instead, he busied himself setting up the stall, arranging the bowls and preparing the ingredients for the day.

    Once everything was ready, Chen Ren sat down, waiting with calm patience. Occasionally, he would call out to people rushing by who cast curious glances at his stall. His voice was friendly but firm, a gentle nudge to consider stopping for a bowl of noodles. Despite his efforts, the morning was slow.

    Throughout the early hours, he managed to sell only two bowls, far fewer than the other stalls nearby.

    Still, a smile lingered on Chen Ren¡¯s face as he waited, his eyes occasionally drifting to the street, watching the flow of people. Tang Xiulan noticed this and tilted her head, puzzled. ¡°Why do you look so happy, young master?¡± she asked, getting more casual with him by the day.

    Chen Ren turned to her, his smile widening slightly. ¡°I¡¯m just anticipating lunchtime,¡± he replied. ¡°Things should start to change then if I¡¯m right. From what I know, a lot of people go out to eat at local restaurants and stalls during lunch, at least those who don¡¯t own their own shops in their homes. And if the marketing from yesterday worked as expected, then they¡¯ll be looking to try my noodles today.¡±

    As he spoke, he could feel a sense of anticipation bubbling in his heart and nerves. This was the moment he had been waiting for¡ª the real test of his efforts.

    The free food wasn''t just to spread word of mouth in the common public. He had deliberately sent the kids to areas where a lot of people worked together such as the places with big forges, the city lord offices and other similar areas. If he was right, then if even a few of his customers from yesterday had done what they promised, he would be quite busy as the day went by.

    He glanced at the sun climbing higher in the sky, marking the approach of midday.

    ***

    Liu Wen stretched his arms above his head, feeling the tension release from his shoulders as lunchtime finally arrived. He bent further and heard his spine crack¡ª ah, the relief! Soon, it turned into embarrassment when his stomach rumbled, a clear sign that it was time to find something to eat.

    He made his way out of the office where he worked, joining the steady stream of people leaving their own workspaces in search of a meal.

    Everyone who worked in the city lord''s office had specific things they liked during lunch. Some would bring their own lunch, but most would go out to eat in nearby restaurants and stalls. There were also those who were loyal to specific places and would eat similar things everyday.

    He wasn''t one of them, liking to savour different kinds of food.

    As Liu Wen moved down the street, he found himself walking beside a group of fellow workers, deep in discussion about lunch plans. Zhang Wei, Lin Feng and Yuang Bo ¡ª a close friend trio that would always hang out for lunch were talking very loudly.

    ¡°Should we try something different today?¡± Zhang Wei suggested, his eyes twinkling with the thought of lunch itself. ¡°I heard there¡¯s a new place by the river that serves amazing dumplings.¡± S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Lin Feng, who walked in the middle, shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m in the mood for something simple,¡± he said, his tone decisive. ¡°How about the chicken skewers from the stall on the corner? Can¡¯t go wrong with those.¡±

    ¡°Or maybe some hot buns? I heard they have a new filling today!¡± Yuang Bo¡¯s excitement was palpable, and he rubbed his hands together, imagining the taste.

    The three continued their animated debate, tossing around different ideas until Liu Wen felt that they noticed him walking quietly beside them. ¡°Hey, Liu Wen!¡± Yuan Bo called out, grinning. ¡°Where do you want to go for lunch?¡±

    Liu Wen paused, suddenly remembering what the noodle stall owner had told him the day before about promoting his new stall. And truth be told, after tasting two bowls, he has been craving noodles ever since he started thinking about lunch. ¡°Actually,¡± he began, trying to keep his voice casual, ¡°there¡¯s a new stall I heard about that¡¯s selling some kind of eastern tribe delicacy. They call it noodles. Supposedly, it¡¯s really good.¡±

    At this, Zhang Wei¡¯s eyes widened with interest. ¡°Noodles, you say? An eastern tribe delicacy?¡± he repeated, stroking his chin thoughtfully. ¡°I¡¯ve never had anything like that before. Could be worth a try.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, why not? I¡¯m up for something different today. Lead the way, Liu Wen.¡±

    Yuan Bo was practically bouncing on his feet. ¡°An adventure for the taste buds! Let¡¯s do it!¡±

    Liu Wen smiled, pleased with their enthusiasm. As everyone was agreeable about trying out a new delicacy today, he found himself moving to the centre of the group.

    He led them toward Market Street, where the noodle stall was set up. As they approached, he noticed something surprising: the area around the stall was already bustling with people, all eagerly slurping down noodles. The sight took him aback since he hadn''t expected the stall to start doing such business in just a day.

    Just yesterday, they were giving out free noodles in a bid to attract people.

    ¡°Looks like we¡¯re not the only ones who heard about this place,¡± Zhang Wei said, grinning as he took in the crowd. ¡°This must be the real deal.¡±

    Liu Wen nodded, a smile spreading across his face. ¡°Looks like these noodles are going to be a big hit,¡± he said aloud.

    His eyes moved towards the owner of the stall who was handing out the bowls one by one with a smile on his face. ¡°Everyone please get in a queue! It''s first come, first serve. All of you are going to get noodles today, so just stand for a while and prepare your stomachs for the best dish you will ever eat.¡±

    As Liu Wen and his group joined the line, the rich smell of freshly made noodles filled the air, and he could practically taste the delicacy all over again.

 Chapter 8: First employee

    The line of customers moved at a steady pace as they were being given bowls of rice noodles one after another. Chen Ren felt the stall buzzing like a hive with the people who continued to come and go¡ª making his grin grow wider.

    Every time someone grabbed a bowl of steaming hot rice noodles, the sound of coins clinking into his hands was a sweet melody¡ª the gratification of his hard work to make those dishes. What made it even sweeter was the sight of Tang Xiulan glancing at him from time to time, all the while something akin to admiration sparkled in her eyes.

    Even Old Man Tian, who never treated his idea of running a stall seriously, stood frozen at a distance, mouth slightly opened while staring at the crowd gathered around his stall.

    Although Chen Ren took pride in what he had done in such a short time, he didn¡¯t let the attention he received swell his ego. With each bowl he served, he flashed a welcoming smile, heartfully thanking every customer and urging them to spread the word about his stall.

    ¡°Please tell your friends about the stall,¡± he said with a chuckle. ¡°Come back tomorrow if you like it. I¡¯ll have more ready!¡±

    Some nodded at his words, while others, lost in the flavour of the noodles, barely acknowledged him. But none left disappointed, a fact he didn¡¯t miss. He knew that regardless of their gratitude or the way they showed it at the end, he gained profits by selling the noodles and in return, the customers'' hunger satiated¡ª that was all that mattered.

    As he reached for the next bowl, he recognised someone from yesterday¡ª there, standing before him, was the scholar who had bought an extra bowl from him. The one who he had requested to spread the word. Behind the scholar was a small group of people, clearly drawn by his recommendation.

    The scholar¡¯s knowing smile didn¡¯t go unnoticed by Chen Ren.

    "Ah, it¡¯s you again! Welcome back!" He said, his eyes lighting up as he gave a subtle nod towards the small group behind the scholar. ¡°Looks like your words worked wonders!¡±

    The scholar gave a polite smile.

    ¡°I just told the truth. Your noodles speak for themselves.¡±

    ¡°Ah! Thank you anyway. So, one bowl of rice noodles today?¡±

    ¡°Yes, here¡¯s¡­ five coppers.¡± He pulled five coppers from his pocket and handed them over.

    As Chen Ren handed the scholar a bowl and collected the money, a strange warmth flooded in his chest. It wasn¡¯t just any warmth¡ª he felt his qi stirred, pulsing within his dantian in a way he hadn¡¯t felt before. He blinked, the sensation catching him off guard, but quickly shook it off.

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    The scholar¡¯s voice pulled him out of his thought process. Chen Ren nodded with equal enthusiasm and focused on the rest of the crowd. Soon after, he found himself back to distributing bowls one after another.

    As the lunch crowd thinned, more satisfied customers left the stall with full bellies and content laughter. Each time Chen accepted their payment, the surges in his qi became more frequent, swirling stronger with every interaction.

    The energy in his core felt¡­ alive, almost reacting to the success of his little business.

    It was an odd feeling altogether because he didn¡¯t know why it was happening, and what triggered his qi to swirl inside him like that. But there wasn¡¯t time to dwell on whatever was happening.

    By the time the rush ended, Chen Ren had sold nearly two dozen bowls. Wiping his brow, he turned to Tang Xiulan, who was covered in sweat, brows raised but he didn''t miss the satisfied smile on her face.

    ¡°Good job today,¡± he said, patting her on the shoulder. ¡°We¡¯ve got a bit of a break now before the evening crowd rolls in. Let¡¯s take it easy until then.¡±

    ¡°Your trick worked better than I expected, young master.¡±

    Chen Ren laughed. ¡°If it didn¡¯t, I would''ve had to try something else. But this is only the beginning. We¡¯ve got to keep it up.¡±

    As he spoke, movement caught the corner of his eye. A few kids stood nearby, watching the stall with wide eyes from an alley. They seemed hesitant to approach him but they were firmly fixated on him.

    Those were the same kids whom he had asked for help before, the ones who agreed to spread the word in return for free food.

    He waved them over with a grin. ¡°Hey, you all up for helping out again today? Same deal as tomorrow.¡±

    Their eager nods were all the answer he needed.

    ***

    As the evening rolled in, the crowd grew larger than the day before.

    ¡°Please give me a bowl!¡±

    ¡°Is this the ¡®noodle¡¯ stall I heard about?¡±

    ¡°Some kids had been shouting about it all over town, talking about how it''s an eastern delicacy.

    ¡°Let''s try and see how it is!¡±

    People gathered around Chen Ren''s stall, eager to try his noodles¡ª some were new faces, while others had returned for a second helping. Word of mouth was spreading like water ripples in a still pond, touching everyone in the path and the kids he had recruited earlier were doing a great job promoting his business. Their lively voices rang through the city, calling out praises for his noodles, bringing in even more customers.

    He felt relieved as he watched the growing line. If things continued like this, he''d be able to chip away at his debts sooner than he thought. Of course, that was still a distant goal, but he was finally beginning on something and it had even started to work.

    Chen Ren believed that one simply needed to focus on their present and the future would change accordingly to that. With that belief in mind, he kept at the stall.

    By the moment they reached evening, they had sold an additional forty bowls, far exceeding his expectation. In fact, they ran out of noodles much earlier than planned, forcing them to close the stall and heavy-heartedly rejecting a few customers who had been waiting in line.

    It couldn''t be helped since he hadn''t bought the rice in bulk, not wanting to make such a big investment when the stall was still new. Though, now he could finally consider it.

    As Chen Ren began packing up, his eyes wandered around Old Man Tian¡¯s stall across the way¡ª except it wasn¡¯t Old Man Tian manning it. A younger man who shared similar features with the skewer stall owner was tending to the customers. Probably his grandson.

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    Curious, Chen called out. ¡°Hello,¡± he said. ¡°Where¡¯s the old man today?¡±

    The young man glanced up, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Ah, he¡¯s sick. Told me to cover for him.¡±

    Chen Ren smiled, wondering if Old Man Tian had run away out of dejection from doubting him, but it wasn''t a big deal. He would return tomorrow and at that time, he wondered what sort of expression the old man would wear on his face. For now, there was nothing more to be done besides this small talk.

    He returned to his stall, making sure to feed the kids who had helped with the advertising. Their eager faces lit up as they slurped the leftover noodles, and he was glad to share this with them. They had been the most helpful, aside from the customers who were so pleased with the noodles that they spread the word on their own, without Chen Ren having to ask.

    After cleaning up, he finally left the market alongside Tang Xiulan.

    The sky was already darkening, and the air had cooled considerably. Other than a slightly sore throat from yelling all day, Chen Ren couldn''t feel any sort of tiredness. His body still felt as energised as new and he even had the energy to take a lap or two around the city.

    Undoubtedly, this was all due to him being a cultivator and by this point, he was glad that he had been transmigrated in the body of one. It was the only good point about being Chen Ren after all.

    If he had been a normal person, he would have been like Tang Xiulan who looked tired and walked slowly, probably because of her aching feet after standing in one position all day. He would have loved to lower her workload, but that would only happen if the stall got more customers.

    ¡°We¡¯re gonna need way more rice to soak now,¡± Chen Ren said, breaking the silence and glancing over at her. ¡°The demand¡¯s only going up.¡±

    Xiulan nodded, a thoughtful look on her face. She waited for a few beats before she replied.

    ¡°I could talk to the young miss about it. See if we can get more supplies.¡± sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°Are you sure about that?¡± he asked, a bit surprised. ¡°You¡¯ve been following my orders all this time but never asked to help out proactively. Don''t tell me you fell in love with me?¡±

    A faint blush crept onto her cheeks, but she didn¡¯t look away. Xiulan hesitated for a moment, her head dipping slightly as she spoke.

    "It''s not that, young master. I wasn¡¯t sure of your plans at first," she admitted softly. "I thought it was all just an act¡ª a ruse. But when I saw you making noodles day after day, using every trick to market and sell them¡­ I realised you¡¯re serious about building a business. I want to help, if you¡¯ll let me."

    Chen Ren looked at her silently for a moment, then shifted his gaze toward the horizon, where the sun was setting in colours of red and orange. Then, in a calm voice, he asked. "Is it because you genuinely want to help, or is it to win my trust so you can report back to the Tang Clan head?"

    Tang Xiulan flinched, her eyes widening in surprise.

    Chen Ren¡¯s expression remained unreadable, but inside, he debated whether he should have asked her that question or not.

    He already knew Tang Xiulan acted as an informant for Tang Jihao since she had started following him around.

    It wasn¡¯t hard to figure out¡ª he was living under someone else¡¯s roof, surrounded by servants that didn''t work for him. Of course, everything he did would reach the ears of the Tang Clan¡¯s head. And Xiulan, being the closest to him, was the obvious informant.

    Honestly, he didn''t like it, but Tang Xiulan was extremely helpful and he would simply struggle more if he didn''t ask for any help and tried to do everything himself. Either way, spying on him wasn''t a hard thing and until now, Tang Clan had done nothing more to make them his enemies.

    Instead, they had been helpful by giving him a place to stay. But if he wanted to bring Tang Xiulan closer to him, he needed to know her intentions better.

    Chen Ren waited patiently, watching her as she grappled with his accusation.

    After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice shaky as she replied. "I won¡¯t lie. I do report to the master. But¡­ I genuinely wish to work for you. Since I am a maid working for the Tang Clan, it''s inevitable that I can''t hide anything from him, but I do enjoy making noodles and helping with the stall. If you let me, I want to be a part of its success, young master!"

    Chen Ren nodded slowly, satisfied with her answer. At least she was being honest. If she didn¡¯t report to Tang Jihao, they¡¯d just replace her with someone else, someone less trustworthy. He didn¡¯t want that.

    "That¡¯s good enough," he said at last. "From now on, you¡¯re my employee."

    Xiulan blinked, clearly taken aback. "Employee?"

    Chen Ren chuckled. "It means you¡¯ll be working for me¡ª in my stall, and whatever other businesses I end up running. In return, I¡¯ll pay you. You can report whatever you want to the clan head as long as I¡¯m living here, but from now on, you work for me."

    "But I¡¯m already getting paid by the clan," she said, still perplexed.

    "This and that are different," Chen Ren replied, waving a hand dismissively. "I can¡¯t pay you much since I¡¯m still in debt, but I¡¯ll give you five silver wen a month. I¡¯ll raise it once I¡¯ve cleared what I owe. Deal?"

    Xiulan stared at him for a moment, clearly not expecting him to offer payment. Her expression softened, and she nodded slowly. "Yes. That¡¯s¡­ acceptable."

    Chen Ren gave her a satisfied nod. "Good. Now, go get more rice. I¡¯ll be sitting in the courtyard for a while."

    Without another word, Tang Xiulan bowed her head slightly and headed off, leaving Chen Ren standing alone as the last light of the day faded into dark.

    ***

    Chen Ren sat down on the stone bench in the courtyard, stretching his muscles as he looked up at the night sky.

    He took a few breaths, regulating his breathing and then loosening his hands; they had been working tirelessly all day. Although he was fine physically, he was still mentally drained. He let his legs fall to the sides and relaxed them forward.

    ¡°I feel like I''m progressing everyday with my goal of making money.¡±

    Today had been tougher than expected, but the sales had gone well, and he¡¯d even managed to promote Xiulan as his ¡°official employee¡±. If he kept it going this way, he might be able to run the stall from day to night and even establish more branches.

    Cloud Mist City was big and Market Street wasn''t the only place with street stalls. A small grin tugged at the corners of his lips as he thought about that.

    Still, now that the day was over, he had something else weighing on his mind. Something he had pushed aside since arriving in this strange new world. He had been preoccupied with setting up the noodle stall, adjusting to his new life, and figuring out how things worked around here. But each night, he found himself poring over the cultivation manuals he¡¯d stumbled upon while searching Chen Ren''s belongings, trying to make sense of the realms and the challenges that came with them.

    Fighting had never been his thing¡ª he wasn¡¯t the type who sought out conflict. But in this world, strength wasn¡¯t just a luxury; it was a necessity. Sure, he was confident in his ability to amass wealth, but cultivation strength? That was an entirely different game. His talent for cultivation was abysmal, yet he knew he needed to give it a shot, at least.

    Especially with the strange qi surges he¡¯d been feeling throughout the day. It wasn¡¯t painful, but it was certainly odd. He wasn¡¯t even supposed to be able to sense qi at this level.

    The nine realms of cultivation, as the manuals explained, were; Body Forging, Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, Meridian Expansion, Core Formation, Domain Manifestation, Nascent Soul, Deity Transformation and Transcendence.

    Only at the second realm, Qi Refinement, were cultivators typically able to sense qi. For most cultivators at his level¡ªBody Forging¡ª it wasn¡¯t possible to sense qi until they reached the 9th star, which was known as the Qi Perception stage.

    Until then, the focus was on strengthening the body, sharpening the mind, and chanting mantras to align with the cultivation path. But here he was, at the third star of Body Forging, already able to sense qi like it was second nature.

    It made him wonder if his body had somehow gained a better talent through transmigration. He wasn¡¯t sure how that worked, but it was a theory that seemed increasingly likely.

    He closed his eyes, focusing inward, trying to peer into his own body to understand what was happening with the qi surges. But before he could delve too deeply, a sharp voice rang out, cutting through the quiet of the night.

    "Imposter! I have come to judge you!"

    Chen Ren¡¯s entire body tensed, his deep focus disturbed and he heard the thrum of his raging heartbeat in his ears.

    His eyes darted around the courtyard, scanning for the source of the unfamiliar voice, but there was no one in sight. Yet he could hear the sound of footsteps on the floor.

    His gaze dropped to the ground, wondering if one of the debtors had hired a cultivator with a technique to turn invisible to deal with him before he noticed someone on the floor.

    His eyes widened in shock.

    "Aren¡¯t you¡ª"

 Chapter 9: Yalan

    Chen Ren paused, his eyes narrowing, as he wondered if what he was seeing and hearing was a reality or just something his mind was making up. He had memories of witnessing strange things that he would have regarded as breaking every law of physics and biology in his past life, but he never minded them, as they should be considered normal in this world.

    Now that it happened before him, his brain needed a good minute to register it. His eyes stared at the feline perched elegantly on the courtyard ground before finally speaking.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you the cat that Xiulan feeds occasionally?¡±

    The cat turned its head slowly, regarding him with piercing, intelligent eyes. Its fur was a pristine white, thick and luxurious, flowing down like a waterfall down its broad frame. It was large for a cat, easily the size of a small dog.

    .

    Chen Ren remembered them as a majestic breed in every way possible.

    The cat''s ears were tufted, the tips flicked ever so slightly, and its bushy tail stood high in the air, fluffy and imposing the surrounding area as if it regarded it all its own. The fur there seemed even more voluminous, curling in thick waves that almost appeared alive.

    The creature blinked at him, again. Its slitted eyes narrowed as the tail whipped sharply, an unmistakable tension taking place between them.

    Chen Ren couldn¡¯t help but let his eyes wander over it under the moonlit sky, but it wasn¡¯t the colour, imposing size, immaculate coat or piercing eyes that caught his attention the most¡ª it was the flames.

    They danced and curled around its tail, licking the air in a slow, deliberate burn. They were subtle, more like embers of a dying fire, yet they crackled with life. Its eyes, a molten ember glowed with an eerie light, not just bright, but almost¡­ sentient.

    They locked onto him with a gaze that felt far too human¡ª Chen Ren didn¡¯t know how or why, just that it spooked a part of him. Because despite the elegance in its posture, there was an air of menace. The tension in its raised tail wasn¡¯t just for a show¡ª this feline wasn¡¯t here for food or a casual encounter if it wasn¡¯t obvious by now.

    His breathing slowed as he realised that in his memories, he had seen powerful cultivators unleash elemental techniques, but this¡­ this was different.

    The cat''s mouth parted, and a voice, smooth like honey, but sharp as a sword cut through the thickened air.

    Unsurprisingly, as he guessed, it was a female cat.

    "I¡¯ve been watching you ever since you took over Chen Ren¡¯s body. And I¡¯m here for answers."

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes widened, and his breath caught in his throat.

    The first surprise was his realising that she knew he had taken over Chen Ren''s body. But before he could process it, another shock hit him as he noticed that the constant presence he had felt trailing him wasn''t one of the debtor''s men, but the cat. Everything suddenly made sense as his mind raced.

    "I am Yalan," she continued, her flames flaring briefly as she spoke her name. "Now tell me, who are you?"

    He blinked, disbelief flooding him. How did she know? His first thought was to chalk it up to his laziness compared to the original Chen Ren, but something told him that wasn¡¯t it. His gaze dropped to the fire trailing along her tail once more. No, it had to be something else¡ª something about her, some skill she possessed that allowed her to see through his facade.

    And now, that same skill had placed him under her scrutiny.

    Chen Ren hesitated, weighing his options. One glance at the flames still licking at the cat''s tail told him all he needed to know. He swallowed and spoke, his voice giving away the fact that he was nervous¡ª even though he was just facing a damn cat.

    "I... I don¡¯t know how I got here. I remember falling asleep, and the next thing I knew, I was Chen Ren. I have his memories, but I know they aren¡¯t mine. It¡¯s like remembering everything about someone else''s life but having no real connection to it. I didn¡¯t to take over his body... it just happened. I didn''t wish for it nor do I understand how or why it happened. It was bizarre even for me."

    He watched the cat carefully, his pulse racing. Would she accept that answer? What if she didn''t? His gaze stared beyond her, but there was no else in the courtyard. Even if he shouted for help, it would take a swipe of her tail for the embers to burn him down.

    He had purposely avoided any places where he would be alone in case he got confronted by some debt collectors, but it never crossed his mind that there would be other forms of threats.

    As the seconds stretched out, his heartbeat thrummed in his chest and the flames around the cat''s tail dimmed, imitating the last bits of dying fire.

    "So," she spoke finally, her eyes glowing faintly. "Were you a powerful cultivator whose soul mistakenly took over Chen Ren''s body in the process of ascension? I heard of such a case a century ago."

    Chen Ren shook his head immediately, choosing to be truthful.

    "No, I was just a mortal in my world. There''s no concept of cultivation where I come from¡ª except in books or games. Although it''s just a hypothesis, I believe it''s because our atmosphere doesn''t have qi."

    Hearing that, Yalan paced around the floor for a few seconds. Her tail moved to the rhythm of her paws, making him want to reach out and pat her fur, but the flames stopped him from moving.

    Finally, she turned around and stared at Chen Ren.

    "A qi-less world¡­ Interesting. Probably one of the lower worlds that no one has heard about." She murmured before her gaze sharpened, focusing on him with a newfound curiosity. "Then tell me¡ª what have you been doing with those things you call noodles?"

    His eyes lit up at the mention. "Oh, those! I¡¯m building a business," he said, a touch of excitement creeping into his voice. "I¡¯m trying to make enough to pay back the debts Chen Ren owed, so I can be debt-free as soon as possible. I didn''t take them, but you know I can''t just escape them no matter how unfair it is. After that, I plan to focus on earning more money¡ª hopefully, a lot more."

    Yalan''s flames flickered again, but this time, it felt less like a threat and more like a signal of amusement. It dimmed once again¡ª quicker than it had before.

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    "Money? Why?¡± she asked, stretching the ¡®why¡¯ a bit longer, while her head tilted to the side. ¡°You were a mortal, but now you''re a cultivator. Why not focus on cultivation, rise through the realms, and claim whatever you desire? Artefacts, women, riches¡ª it would all be within your reach."

    Chen Ren chuckled softly.

    "That sounds tempting¡ª ideal, even, but I don¡¯t have much of a choice right now. Cultivation is interesting, but making money is... necessary. At my level, I can only hunt low-level beasts, and the debt hanging over Chen Ren¡¯s head isn¡¯t small. It would take me a while to pay it off that way¡ª and be far more dangerous. You see, the knife is dangerously close to my neck, and I know it could strike at any moment. From what I''ve learned and already know about this world, that''s the conclusion I''ve come to."

    He hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "Besides, I''ve realised Chen Ren''s talent isn''t exactly... remarkable."

    Yalan''s fiery gaze softened as she gave a slight what-looked-like nod.

    "I can understand that. Chen Ren was never blessed by the heavens. I almost pitied him in his childhood. But instead of challenging the heavens, he allowed them to crush him. The man grew bitter, more with each passing year." S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Her tail lashed sharply once before she shook her head. "Alright, I won''t be exterminating you. At least, not until you reveal yourself to be a demon who''s been lying this whole time. But I doubt it."

    Her eyes sparkled briefly, the flames around her tail snuffing out completely. Chen Ren let out a quiet sigh of relief, though he still watched her warily, curiosity bubbling beneath his calm exterior. Her words confirmed that she didn¡¯t consider him lying, or maybe she was simply choosing to let him be for now in order to keep him from panicking.

    There was no way to know and hence, he focused on something else¡ª Finding out how she and Chen Ren had been related. There was no recent memory of him talking to a cat that could speak the mortal language. If there had been one, it would have certainly stood out. But, as he looked deeper and deeper, something eventually caught his attention.

    A vague memory of a cat lingered in Chen Ren¡¯s childhood. Could it be the one in front of him? But other than that, it seemed like the man didn¡¯t like cats at all¡ª something that, in his opinion, should have been considered a crime.

    He glanced back at the cat. "So, in return, can I ask you a few questions? I think it¡¯s only fair."

    Yalan tilted her head slightly, her expression inscrutable. She licked at her paw once. "Sure, go on," she replied. "I¡¯ll allow it."

    Chen Ren leaned forward, his curiosity driving him to ask the question that had been swirling in his mind the whole time. Despite giving himself time during their conversation to process everything, he couldn¡¯t ignore the fact that there were still things he didn¡¯t understand.

    "Who... who are you exactly? And what''s your relationship with Chen Ren?"

    The cat straightened, her tail following the actions, and her eyes took on a deeper, more thoughtful glow. "My name is Yalan," she began, her voice layered with boredom.

    ¡°Okay. But I already know that. I want to know more than your name.¡±

    "I am bound by a pact made with Chen Ren¡¯s ancestors. For hundreds of years, I have been tasked with watching over their descendants, acting as a protector of sorts. This pact has seventy years left on it and by all means, I have expected Chen Ren to be the last one to have my otherwise costly services for free."

    Chen Ren listened intently, the pieces slowly falling into place as she continued.

    "I¡¯ve been with Chen Ren since he was a child, looking over him from the shadows. But, as you already know, I wasn¡¯t exactly successful in protecting him." Her tail twitched, betraying a hint of frustration. "The boy was too stubborn, too full of pride. He ignored every bit of advice I offered him in his childhood and never liked me¡ª wouldn¡¯t even acknowledge my presence most of the time. He was simply wallowing in despair over his parents'' death. So, I simply followed him... silently, waiting for the day he¡¯d come find me himself and listen."

    Her voice softened as she sighed, her little face scrunched up in frustration. "But he died a meaningless death. His own idiocy sealed his fate. By the time he was brought to the Tang Clan Manor, he was almost lifeless. That was when I noticed your soul beginning to merge with his body."

    Chen Ren blinked, absorbing her words. So he had been right in his early conjectures. His soul had started to enter the body at the exact moment Chen Ren was on the verge of death. And she had been there, powerless to intervene.

    It also revealed that the cat was able to see souls, probably the reason she knew he wasn''t the original Chen Ren.

    He did the mental maths. If the pact between Yalan and Chen Ren¡¯s ancestors was truly that old, then the cat was far more powerful than he had initially imagined. And the original Chen Ren¡­ He hadn''t been a simple fool, but the worst kind of fool. Not only had he ignored a protector who could have helped him rise, but he¡¯d squandered a chance to grow stronger under her guidance. Truly, an idiot.

    It also explained something else. Now he understood how Chen Ren had made it to Cloud Mist City unscathed, even without guards. Yalan had been watching over him the entire time, silently keeping him alive.

    He glanced at her again, curiosity gnawing at him. "So... does the pact extend to me too?"

    As soon as the question left his lips, he was rewarded with silence. Just silence that stretched far longer than what he was comfortable with.

    Yalan didn¡¯t respond, her fiery eyes narrowing in contemplation.

    , he held back a frown, but before he could retract the question, she shook her head.

    "I have no idea.¡± The voice came out so low that if Chen Ren hadn¡¯t been attentive, it would¡¯ve run past his ears. "The pact should remain in effect as long as Chen Ren is alive. Since you carry remnants of his soul, he isn¡¯t technically dead¡­ She paused, her tail flicking absently. "It¡¯s a very blurry line."

    Chen Ren nodded slowly, unsure of what to make of her response. On one hand, the pact stood¡ªbarely¡ªwhich likely meant she wouldn¡¯t or couldn''t hurt him. But on the other hand, he doubted she harboured any real care toward him. After all, he was someone else. Their relationship was complicated, a tangled mess he had no desire to unravel right now. It hurt his mind just to think and unfortunately, he couldn¡¯t simply give her tuna to win her over.

    Hence, he decided to stick to the reason he had come here.

    Turning his gaze to the cat, he asked, "Do you mind if I cultivate for a bit?"

    Yalan flicked her tail dismissively as if shrugging off the question, hopping onto the bench beside him. "Go on," she said casually, as though his request was of no real importance.

    ¡°Alright, then.¡±

    Chen Ren tried to ignore her presence and focused inward. His strange meeting with the cat bothered him, especially because she had been keeping a close watch on him. Having a spirit beast that could potentially kill you in one blow next to you while you try to cultivate wasn''t exactly a great way to concentrate.

    It took him half an hour before he dispelled some of his nervousness and focused on the faint surges of energy in his dantian.

    The feeling was refreshing like a tender warmth filling him from the inside. He tried to probe the energy, to manipulate it, but his control was clumsy. Frustratingly so.

    He shifted tactics, attempting to absorb the qi in the air around him. He could sense it faintly, like a whisper just out of reach, but no matter what he did, the energy refused to respond. Even when he chanted [Thunderstorm Sutra]¡ª the Chen family¡¯s cultivation technique, it was like trying to catch smoke with his bare hands¡ª nothing worked.

    As he continued to struggle, the silence was finally broken by Yalan¡¯s voice. "What exactly are you doing?"

    Chen Ren sighed, opening his eyes and glancing at her. "Cultivation," he said flatly.

    Yalan¡¯s tail swished lazily. "You¡¯re in the body-forging realm," she remarked, her tone dismissive. "Cultivating like this won''t get you far. At your stage, you can¡¯t sense qi properly, nor can you circulate it through your meridians. You need to focus on training your body, slowly pushing it to the peak of body forging before you even begin to sense qi¡ª"

    Chen Ren, mid-breath, interrupted her, his voice calm but firm.

    "I can already feel qi."

    Yalan froze. Her eyes narrowed, and the lazy swish of her tail stopped mid-air. "What did you just say?" she asked, her voice low, sharp with sudden intensity.

    Chen Ren blinked, surprised at her reaction. "I can feel qi," he repeated, uncertain why it seemed to shock her so much. He knew it was unusual, but by her reaction, he might have massively underestimated such an ability in this realm.

    The cat¡¯s gaze bore into him, her eyes narrowing further as though she were reassessing everything about him.

 Chapter 10: Dao of... Money?

    Chen Ren frowned as he struggled to explain the strange phenomenon that had been happening to him in the last few days. It took a while for him to get everything out as he thought back to how he had been feeling different since he had first started his stall.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t notice it at first, but I¡¯ve been feeling something in my dantian these days. It¡¯s faint, like a soft pulse, but it¡¯s there. I can sense qi in the air too, though it¡¯s barely noticeable.¡±

    Yalan¡¯s eyes narrowed, her eyes sparkling lightly. She licked her mouth¡ª was she

    "You sure you¡¯re not just filling your head with air?" she asked, a smirk playing on her feline lips.

    It was already odd that a cat could speak even better than some humans, but the fact that he could understand her emotions felt like an out-of-the-world experience. Then again, everything here

    Chen Ren shook his head firmly and got back to the topic. "No, it¡¯s real. It¡¯s faint, but I can feel it."

    The cat studied him for a moment before giving a small flick of her tail. "Close your eyes," she commanded.

    Chen Ren hesitated. "Why?"

    She hissed at that question, clearly unsatisfied by Chen Ren¡¯s response.

    "You don¡¯t need to worry. If I had any intention of harming you, you wouldn¡¯t even take a single step before it was over."

    A chill ran down his spine at her words, and with a reluctant nod, he closed his eyes. Silence stretched between them before the cat¡¯s voice broke through again.

    "Do you feel anything now?"

    Chen Ren focused, but behind his closed eyelids, there was only a vast emptiness. He could hear the faint rustle of the wind, smell the damp earth beneath him, and feel the breeze brush past him, but it was as if he didn¡¯t exist like a ghost in the night. All his concentration was for nothing. No trace of what she wanted him to find¡ª no swirl of qi, not even a slight ripple in the air.

    "No," he replied, trying not to sound frustrated.

    "How about now?"

    Yalan''s voice seemed to hum with a strange energy.

    Suddenly, he felt a shift.

    A wave of qi had gathered and bunched up around him. His senses sharpened, picking up the energy, however weak. "Yes," he breathed. "I can feel it now. It¡¯s like... something pressing in around me. But not physically. It''s mystical in nature."

    ¡°Okay, open your eyes.¡±

    When he opened his eyes, he found the cat watching him with an intensity that erased her usual demeanour. Her tail stood straight, completely still, as if she were a guard on high alert.

    "It seems like you really can sense it," she said, very slowly.

    Chen Ren exhaled, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

    "I told you,¡± he said, before taking a pause, rethinking the words she told him a while ago. "So... if most people can¡¯t do this, does that mean I¡¯m actually special?"

    The thought hung in the air, the idea of having some hidden talent gnawing at him. He might not have gotten a system like if this were a video game, but if he could gain some special talent with sensing qi, he might just be able to progress faster than what he had initially assumed.

    Yalan¡¯s eyes gleamed for a moment before she meowed softly¡ª it sounded more like a scoff than a noise coming from a cat.

    "Special? Don¡¯t get ahead of yourself," she said. But there was a flicker of something else in her gaze¡ª a quiet acknowledgement that maybe, just maybe, there was more to him than she had first believed. "Well, partly, maybe, but I¡¯ve seen geniuses who could sense qi from childhood. I¡¯m not sure if you¡¯re one of them, but I believe it more that being from another plane has made you more sensitive to qi." She moved towards the left gracefully from where she was, pacing in thought before turning to him. "There¡¯s another thing, though."

    Chen Ren¡¯s brows furrowed. "What?"

    Yalan¡¯s tail flicked as she explained, "Cultivators often feel bursts of qi or sense it swirling when they practise their dao. It also happens when they experience a breakthrough. After all, a dao is the path a cultivator walks on, and as they progress, they gain insights¡ª small or large¡ª depending on their mastery of it."

    Chen Ren thought for a moment, his face twisted in confusion. "Even so, it doesn¡¯t add up. I wasn¡¯t practising any martial arts or swinging a sword when it happened. I was distributing rice noodles or running my stall. Why would my qi flare up then?"

    The cat gave him a sidelong glance.

    "Dao of noodles?¡± she said in the most serious tone possible.

    Chen Ren chuckled lightly. "I doubt that¡¯s it,¡± he said. "Whatever it is, I just hope I don¡¯t end up with a dao that I have no interest in."

    Yalan shook her head, her tone returning to seriousness.

    ¡°That won''t happen. A dao is a path you walk upon yourself. No one else can choose it for you. After all, it''s a long journey and it''s yours, not anyone else¡¯s. You should meditate and reflect on your dao. Think about the path you''re meant to follow.¡±

    "But I don¡¯t even know what dao I have.¡±

    The cat¡¯s gaze softened slightly, almost as if teaching a child.

    "Then consider which dao you want. The Chen Ren before you walked the martial dao, but clearly, that path was lost. You are not him. You need to search for what you desire¡ªwhat you seek¡ªdeep within yourself."

    Chen Ren nodded, settling into a cross-legged position as he closed his eyes, focusing inward. The cat¡¯s words echoed in his mind, urging him to think about his dao¡ª the path he wanted to follow. His thoughts drifted naturally toward the martial dao.

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    In a world of cultivators, it was the logical choice, wasn¡¯t it? The quickest route to power in a dog-eat-dog world. Yet, the more he considered it, the more he realised how ill-fitting that path was for him.

    He adapted well, so given time, he might be able to come around the martial dao, but would winning in fights make him happy? Even if he ignored the fact that he would be risking his life every day, his natural talent of 21 spirit roots was too low for any sect to look at him nicely.

    Moreover, he had already strayed far from the martial path, choosing a very different route: business. Earning money, managing his noodle stall, paying off debts¡ª he was more of a merchant than a warrior. If any dao suited him, it had to be that.

    As he pondered, he felt a sudden stir in his dantian.

    The qi within him began to swirl more intensely as if resonating with his thoughts. He kept at it, focusing on the vision of his products flourishing, the coins piling up, and his success growing as he built a name for himself.

    He imagined expanding his business, using the wealth to improve himself, his connections, and his life. He imagined creating more products from Earth, slowly taking over the mortal market before looking at the sects. He imagined creating his own company.

    The more his thoughts moved in that direction, the more his qi swirled inside of him.

    Then, a chill ran down his spine. His eyes snapped open.

    He was no longer in the courtyard. Instead, he floated in a vast, endless space filled with stars, each one twinkling like a distant diamond. He hovered, weightless, in this unfamiliar realm. The silence was profound, and for a moment, he was entranced by the beauty of it all.

    "What... is this place?" Chen Ren whispered, his voice swallowed by the void.

    As if in response to his question, the stars around him began to move¡ª slowly at first, then faster, shifting in strange patterns.

    The energy within him swirled violently, and as he looked up, the stars coalesced into a shape¡ª a massive, serpentine figure. His breath caught in his throat.

    Its enormous form twisted through the starry expanse, vibrating with power. Its eyes locked onto him, and Chen Ren felt an overwhelming wave of fear wash over him. This wasn¡¯t just an illusion¡ª this was something else¡­ something greater.

    Fear, cold and raw, clawed at his insides. This wasn''t a dream; it was a reality more terrifying than anything he''d ever known. The dragon let out a deafening roar, a sound that shook the very fabric of existence. Its celestial form lunged towards him, the stars scattering like startled fireflies.

    Chen Ren¡¯s body froze in terror. His blood ran cold. He was trapped, a helpless speck in the dragon''s cosmic maw. Panic surged through him, but his body refused to move. As the dragon''s shadow loomed over him, he squeezed his eyes shut, a silent scream trapped behind his lips.

    And then... he woke up.

    Gasping for breath, his eyes flew open, and he found himself back in the courtyard, the faint scent of grass and the cool night air grounding him. His heart pounded in his chest as if he had just escaped death.

    Chen Ren blinked, staring up at the night sky.

    His breathing was heavy, and sweat beaded on his forehead as he sat up from the bench, holding his head to steady himself. His mind raced, trying to comprehend what had just happened. That dragon, the stars, the overwhelming fear¡ª it all felt so real. He took deep breaths, one after another before the cat¡¯s voice made him turn towards her.

    "So," Yalan said casually, perched on the bench. "It seems you actually managed to connect to your dao."

    Chen Ren''s eyes flickered towards her, still dazed. "What?"

    The cat hopped down gracefully and padded closer, her amber eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

    "Just an hour ago, when you were meditating, you let out a massive surge of qi. You made a breakthrough," she explained, her tone matter-of-fact. "You''re now a fourth-star body forging cultivator."

    Chen Ren blinked, processing the information slowly. "A breakthrough? Just like that?" He still couldn''t wrap his head around it. That terrifying vision, that dragon... had all of that somehow pushed him to a new level?

    The cat nodded, her tail swaying lazily behind her. "Yes. It''s rare for a cultivator to skip an entire stage in the body-forging realm, but I guess your connection to your dao must''ve been strong enough. You finally aligned with it."

    For a moment, Chen Ren could only sit there, taking it all in. His heart still raced, but now he noticed something else¡ª a warm energy coursing through his body. It was subtle at first, but then it hit him all at once: his body felt brimming with vitality like he could take on the world. His muscles twitched and flexed with energy, his mind was sharp, and a rush of positivity surged through him, making everything feel¡­

    "So this... this is what it''s like to break through." He exhaled, marvelling at the sensation. "No wonder cultivators meditate for hundreds of years. Just to feel this again and again..."

    Before he could lose himself in the feeling, the cat interrupted with a curious tilt of her head. "What dao did you connect to, anyway?"

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t answer immediately, still replaying the images in his mind: the swirling stars, the dragon, and that strange vastness of space. Then it clicked, and the answer was clear as day. His lips twitched into a small smile as he spoke, almost amused by the absurdity of it all.

    "The dao of money."

    Yalan stared at him, her eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°Dao of¡­ money?"

    ***

    The morning sun stretched its golden arms across the horizon over Cloud Mist City as Chen Ren and Tang Xiulan set up the noodle stall.

    The familiar clatter of pots and wooden stools echoed through the quiet street, and the air was already carrying the faint scent of noodles as Chen Ren arranged his ingredients with practised hands. His energy felt vibrant today, surging through him in waves, a direct result of the breakthrough from last night. He could hardly contain the bounce in his steps. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Tang Xiulan paused, her sharp eyes catching his unusually light movements. "Young Master, you seem to be in a happy mood today," she remarked, tying her apron as she helped set up the stall.

    Chen Ren chuckled, shaking his head as he adjusted the display. "It''s because I had some cultivation gains yesterday," he said, his voice filled with pride. "And also, our stall is picking up steam. I have a feeling with the amount of noodles we have today, we¡¯ll be working nonstop until night."

    Xiulan nodded, a glint of approval in her gaze. "It¡¯ll be good then. More customers, more coins."

    Chen Ren nodded and continued setting up the stall and just then, a sudden movement caught his eye.

    The white cat¡ª Yalan, sleek and graceful as ever, leapt onto the counter, landing lightly next to him. Her eyes flicked over the setup before she curled up, sitting calmly beside him as if claiming her territory.

    Chen Ren leaned down, whispering, "What are you doing here?"

    The cat didn¡¯t bother looking at him. Instead, a voice echoed in his mind, startling him.

    Her tone was as calm and haughty as ever.

    Chen Ren blinked, momentarily taken aback by the fact that she could speak directly into his mind. , he thought to himself. Then, he merely shrugged and said, "You''re free to stay. Besides, having a cat around might attract customers who would want to pat you."

    The cat shot him a withering glare, her ears twitching in irritation. ¡°

    Chen Ren felt his mouth widen in surprise, but he quickly gathered himself and raised an eyebrow, amused.

    "What type of acts?"

    ¡± The cat''s mental voice was sharp, like a dagger, her eyes narrowing as if daring him to test her words.

    Chen Ren stifled a laugh. "Noted."

    He gave her a sideways glance, grateful he hadn''t given in to his instincts last night and tried to pat her as he would any other street cat.

    he thought, smiling.

 Chapter 11: Esoteric daos

    When Chen Ren first found himself in the cultivation world, he¡¯d entertained a few fantasies about what his path might look like. Would he become a sword-wielding prodigy, cleaving through sect rivals gracefully and skillfully? Or perhaps he¡¯d find his calling in the intricate arts of arrays, mastering their complexities to shape the battlefield? And, like any man might in this strange, mystical world, he briefly considered the idea of amassing a harem¡ª after all, that seemed to be a common theme in stories about powerful cultivators.

    But making noodles? He¡¯d definitely never expected that to be where he ended up.

    Yet, here he was, running a noodle stall that had, in just a week, become the talk of the marketplace.

    Every day, a steady stream of customers came by, drawn by the novelty of an eastern delicacy that no one else in the region was offering. It wasn¡¯t just the taste of the noodles that brought them in¡ª Chen Ren¡¯s marketing tactics had spread his name throughout the streets like wildfire. Free samples, word of mouth from his customers and the curious spectacle of his stall with the long queue had made it impossible for anyone to miss it.

    The man selling noodles, a dish unfamiliar to most, stood out even among the countless food vendors.

    And then there were the kids.

    Chen Ren had never been one to encourage child labour, but in this case, he saw it differently.

    The group of street children who helped him were hungry, and for them, assisting with his stall wasn¡¯t about earning coins¡ª it was about earning a meal.

    According to them, there had been days when they hadn¡¯t eaten at all. Though Chen Ren hadn¡¯t lived a life on the streets, he understood enough to sympathise with them. The thought of them going hungry left a bitter taste in his mouth, and he saw this as a way to offer them something better, however small it might be.

    Over the days, he¡¯d gotten to know the kids better. The leader of the group was a girl named Mei Lin, small but fierce, with sharp eyes and an even sharper tongue. She was the one who had organised the others, making sure they didn¡¯t cause too much trouble around the stall.

    The boys followed her lead: Chun, the quiet one who always worked the hardest; Bo, who often tried to sneak extra noodles when he thought no one was looking; and Jian, the smallest but the one with the loudest laugh.

    Thanks to his noodle business, the kids seemed to be in far better shape now. Their cheeks looked a little less hollow, and their energy had doubled, quite the difference from when he¡¯d first met them.

    From selling sixty bowls of noodles a day, Chen Ren¡¯s business had doubled. He now dished out a hundred and twenty bowls, sometimes barely keeping up with the demand.

    The small pot he used to cook noodles wasn¡¯t enough anymore, and every morning, he had to haul back twenty pounds of noodles just to meet the appetites of his growing customer base. It wasn¡¯t just the number of bowls sold that had increased¡ª his profit margins did too.

    All the ingredients were cheap, and thanks to a little bit of ingenuity (and the connections he had through Tang Xiulan), Chen Ren had managed to cut costs even further. Vegetables, which should¡¯ve eaten into his profits, were basically free compared to the other costs.

    Tang Clan regularly bought high-quality vegetables to serve to guests, but often, the excess went unused and would have spoiled if no one ate it. He figured he was doing them a favour by taking the leftovers off their hands. With the vegetables thrown into the mix, the noodles appealed more and even when they cost more, there was a steady base of customers who were willing to pay for them.

    Still, despite his booming business, the road to clearing his debts was long.

    Feng Ming¡¯s threat had not disappeared, and even if Chen Ren managed to sell a hundred twenty bowls every single day for the next two months and save every last copper coin, he still wouldn¡¯t be able to pay off everything. But that wasn¡¯t the point.

    The fact that he¡¯d gotten this far at all was something worth celebrating. It was a start¡ª A damn good one at that!

    His noodle stall was only going to get bigger and better, proving that his earthly knowledge could, in fact, give him an edge in this world. , he thought to himself with a small smirk. Sometimes, noodles could prove to be effective, too.

    There was something else, too. Despite being busy from dawn until dusk with the noodle stall, Chen Ren couldn¡¯t help but notice that his cultivation had improved.

    Just a week had passed since his breakthrough, but it felt like he had already made progress. It wasn¡¯t much, but the flow of qi in his core was smoother, more natural. It was as if, somehow, the act of running his business was feeding into his cultivation.

    the familiar voice of the cat echoed in his mind, a sly purr lacing her words. ¡°

    Chen Ren frowned, considering her words. He¡¯d heard about martial daos before, but¡­ no matter how much he thought about dao of money, it felt like something completely different than those. Far more powerful even. ¡°

    the cat confirmed, her tone nonchalant. ¡°

    Chen Ren¡¯s frown deepened at that.

    ,¡± the cat continued, her voice tinged with frustration as if she was explaining something common. ¡°Esoteric

    He blinked. ¡°

    she purred, amusement bubbling in her voice. ¡°

    He briefly moved his eyes away from her and watched the stall. His eyes drifted over the crowd. Business was booming, and his plan to expand was coming together. But it wasn¡¯t just the money that interested him anymore.

    To his eyes, all these people seemed as if they were giant balls of qi, his to claim.

    ¡± He asked, his voice echoing in his mind, aimed at the cat who was in the process of stretching her body after half of a day just lying around.

    The cat¡¯s voice responded in his head, her tone unimpressed. ¡°She flicked her tail lazily.She chuckled softly in his head. ¡°

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    Yalan purred, her voice amused. ¡°

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes flicked to Xiulan, who was handing out bowls of noodles to another satisfied customer. She was running things smoothly, which was good because it gave him time to think.

    The cat''s words made sense. He had already been considering expanding beyond the stall. While it was fun to grow his little operation from nothing into something more substantial, like a business empire¡ª McDonald¡¯s of the cultivation world¡ª he knew it wouldn¡¯t be enough.

    He had no intention of making his entire life revolve around selling noodles, even if it was turning out to be a surprising success.

    Chen Ren thought to himself. The idea of having multiple ventures appealed to him.

    There were too many opportunities in this world to ignore. Plus, if his cultivation was tied to his business success, why not expand? He wasn¡¯t going to limit himself.

    As his thoughts shifted, another nagging memory came to the surface¡ª the dragon. He hadn¡¯t asked Yalan about it yet, not since the day the dragon first appeared.

    It had vanished just as quickly as it had come, leaving him with questions that had been clawing at him for a week now. The dragon hadn¡¯t reappeared, but he couldn¡¯t get it out of his head.

    , he thought, but just as the question was about to form in his mind, movement at the front of the stall caught his attention.

    The line was moving up, but instead of another customer, a man in a guard¡¯s uniform stepped forward, disregarding the long line completely.

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes looked over the man, taking in the details. He was broad-shouldered, standing a little taller than most, with a rough stubble covering his square jaw. His uniform was well-worn, the kind of attire that had seen its fair share of dirty work. His eyes were sharp, but there was something off in the way he looked down at Chen Ren¡ª like he was sizing him up.

    Chen Ren stepped forward, his voice light. ¡°Do you need some noodles?¡±

    The guard didn¡¯t respond right away, his gaze lingering on Chen Ren for just a moment too long, as if they were locked in some kind of silent contest of will. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Chen Ren raised his eyebrows, wondering if this was about to turn into some strange show of strength, but before he could speak again, the guard¡¯s voice rumbled low.

    ¡°I¡¯ve gotten a tip that you don¡¯t have the licence to open a stall here,¡± the guard said, looking around at the people whose attention slowly started to shift towards them.

    Chen Ren opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, the guard slammed his fist down on the edge of the stall. The wooden surface shook under the force of the blow, sending one of the bowls teetering dangerously. But before it could fall, Chen Ren¡¯s reflexes kicked in, and he caught the bowl mid-fall, placing it safely back on the counter.

    ¡°I do have a permit,¡± Chen Ren said calmly, his eyes narrowing as he met the guard¡¯s gaze.

    The guard scoffed. ¡°Where is it, then?¡±

    Chen Ren reached into his robes, his fingers brushing against the familiar texture of parchment as he pulled out the permit.

    The paper had a slight crinkle to it, a sign of its frequent use over the past few days. He had prepared for this exact scenario, knowing that in a city like this, a rising business was bound to attract some unwanted attention. With a calmness that he didn¡¯t feel on the inside, he extended the permit to the guard.

    The man snatched it with deliberate slowness, his eyes scanning the document as if trying to find something¡ªanything¡ªthat could be used against the stall.

    His lips twitched slightly as he read the details, and the crease in his brow deepened, betraying his frustration.

    ¡°It¡¯s a new one,¡± the guard muttered, his voice carrying an edge that suggested he was searching for a reason to doubt.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t flinch. His expression remained neutral, though a small smirk threatened to tug at the corner of his lips. ¡°The stall is new too,¡± he replied coolly, his gaze unwavering.

    The guard¡¯s eyes flicked up from the permit, locking onto Chen Ren¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯ve heard you¡¯re selling some kind of¡­ eastern delicacy,¡± he said, his tone dripping with suspicion. ¡°Is that true, or are you faking it?¡±

    For the first time, Chen Ren¡¯s brows lightly knitted together. Faking it? Yes, he was doing that, but the guard had no reason to care about that.

    His voice was firm as he responded, ¡°I got it from the east. You don¡¯t see anyone else selling noodles like mine, do you?¡± He leaned in slightly, his gaze narrowing. ¡°And even if it were fake, I didn¡¯t hear any regulation about false advertising. Did I miss that section in the guidelines?¡±

    The guard opened his mouth, clearly ready to argue the point, but he faltered once he saw Chen Ren¡¯s sharp gaze. ¡°There is¡­¡± he began, his words trailing off uncertainty.

    Chen Ren seized the opportunity. ¡°There isn''t,¡± he said, his voice sharp but calm. ¡°I read the guidelines thoroughly. I even asked the clerk who issued me the permit. There''s nothing in there about false advertising. So if you want to accuse me of something, make sure you¡¯re ready for the consequences. And remember¡ª¡± his voice dropped slightly, ¡°I¡¯m not a mortal.¡±

    The guard¡¯s eyes widened ever so slightly, the shift in Chen Ren¡¯s tone clearly unsettling him.

    His gaze flicked downward, taking in Chen Ren¡¯s robes. For the first time, he seemed to truly notice the fine quality of the fabric, the noticeable patterns woven into it. His expression changed, the initial aggression fading into something more cautious.

    Without another word, the guard handed the permit back, his movements stiff. ¡°I¡¯ll be keeping an eye on the stalls from now on,¡± he muttered, the earlier bluster gone from his voice. ¡°Don¡¯t do anything shady.¡±

    Chen Ren simply nodded, watching as the guard turned and walked away, his back a little too rigid, his steps a little too quick. The tension in the air seemed to lift slightly as the man disappeared into the crowd.

    He let out a long, measured sigh, the weight of the interaction slipping off his shoulders.

    ¡°What was that about?¡± Xiulan¡¯s voice broke through the moment, and Chen Ren turned to see her standing nearby, her brow furrowed in confusion.

    ¡°My first guess was a bribe,¡± Chen Ren said, shaking his head slightly. ¡°But he didn¡¯t ask for anything when we were talking. Never even hinted at it. I think it¡¯s more than that.¡±

    Xiulan¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°More than that? What do you mean?¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze flicked toward the spot where the guard had stood moments ago. ¡°He didn¡¯t take anything from any other stall. Not even a glance in their direction. He came straight to us. And then he left, just like that. He probably wanted to cause trouble for any little thing he could find, but got scared once he realised I''m a cultivator. He was aiming for us specifically.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ bad news,¡± Xiulan said softly. She crossed her arms, a frown settling on her brow as she considered Chen Ren¡¯s words. ¡°Do you think someone is targeting us?¡±

    ¡°Potentially,¡± Chen Ren replied, his voice steady. He leaned against the stall, gazing out at the bustling crowd that had formed, the scent of his freshly made noodles wafting through the air. ¡°After all, we did get big in such a short amount of time. People are bound to be jealous of a growing rival business. It¡¯s human nature. Now we need to think about who might be out there trying to get us and prepare for whatever comes our way.¡±

    Xiulan nodded, something akin to caution glinting in her eyes as she returned to her tasks, deftly arranging bowls and garnishing the noodles with fresh herbs.

    But before Chen Ren could delve further into his thoughts, a familiar voice piped up from his mind. ¡°

    He knotted his hands together and stared at the dissolving crowd, thinking of what Yalan had just said. ¡°

    The cat¡¯s voice was almost nonchalant¡ª as always, yet there was an undercurrent of seriousness. ¡°

    Chen Ren felt a chill run down his spine at her words. The life of a cultivator was often harsh, but hearing it from someone who had lived through it made it all the more real.

    Yalan continued, ¡°

    Chen Ren shook his head slightly, then stopped doing it, noticing how he might look to the outsiders. ¡°

    ¡± the cat pressed, her curiosity piqued.

    He fell silent for a moment, considering his options. Then, after a pause filled with contemplation, he finally spoke. ¡°

 Chapter 12: Tainting reputation

    Chen Ren¡¯s thoughts flowed like the river before a storm, the calm before inevitable trouble. Like any plan of his, starting a noodle business would never be smooth. It wasn¡¯t just the rice, the vegetables, or the mortar that demanded attention¡ª oh no, where there was meat, the wild animals came.

    Trouble, in any form, seemed drawn to him like moths to flame. After all, the path of a cultivator never allowed peace for long.

    And now, even this humble noodle stall had become a stage for confrontation. His hand tightened around the spoon as he remembered how the guard had approached him, all swagger and false bravado.

    The man¡¯s eyes spoke of arrogance, the kind born from ignorance. His words were aimed at attacking him and finding any reason to crumble the name Chen Ren had been creating around the marketplace.

    Whoever sent him had no idea of him. No idea of who they were trying to bully. No idea that Chen Ren was a cultivator. That was a minus point for whoever was behind, not doing enough research.

    But that was what made things interesting, wasn¡¯t it? Most wouldn''t dare cross someone who could split stones with a finger, let alone simmer broth with a flicker of qi. The guard''s ignorance had saved his skin¡ª just barely.

    However, Chen Ren doubted they¡¯d just give up and not try something more to accomplish whatever goal they had in mind.

    He sighed, stirring the broth with deliberate slowness as all these questions and confusions came to his mind one after another. "Where there¡¯s meat, the beasts gather," he muttered under his breath.

    Being a cultivator had saved his stall this time, but Cloud Mist City nestled so close to a guardian sect and was home to more cultivators than he could count. He knew better than to rely on his status alone to protect him. A cultivator here was like a drop of water in the ocean¡ª easy to blend in, easy to get swallowed by something bigger.

    Even so, a small grin tugged at his lips. Let them come. Rivals or not, he had been in tougher battles than mere noodle stalls could ever provoke. If his enemies thought he¡¯d be easy prey, they would soon discover just how deep the water truly ran.

    For the next two days, Chen Ren''s mind moved like the shifting clouds, mapping out scenarios, and contemplating every possible angle.

    He wasn''t one for brute force, not when he could win with finesse. Violence, while always an option, wasn¡¯t his first choice. His gaze flicked to the cat beside him, her amber eyes glowing as she looked at the streaming flow of consumers. She was his hidden trump card, a power he didn¡¯t dare reveal to the world yet. Not while he was still weak and unable to protect himself against anyone of a higher realm.

    His cultivation, though progressing, was still in the early stages of body forging. Any opponent above that realm would crush him like dry leaves underfoot. Thus, brawn had to take a back seat. His brain, however, was sharper than any blade.

    So, he focused on his noodle stall for some time until he decided on what was best to be done next.

    Fortunately, everything ran without a hitch.

    He made more money each day, his hands growing more accustomed to the daily grind. The qi that once surged through his core was diminishing, just as the cat had warned him. But that didn¡¯t stop him from keeping a vigilant eye on the horizon, half-expecting a debtor or some envious soul to appear, hungry for the wealth he was making. But no one came. Not yet.

    On the third morning, an unease settled over him like a shroud. It wasn¡¯t just paranoia; this was something real, something tangible. Old Man Tian¡¯s hunched figure appeared near the stall, his weathered face grave with news. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°Young master Chen Ren," the old man grumbled, his voice a low rasp. His eyes narrowed towards the broth as he looked back up at Chen Ren who gave him his undivided attention, "I¡¯ve heard it. For sure this time. They¡¯re going to make their move today. They¡¯re jealous your stall is minting money so fast."

    Though the facts were loud, his voice was comparatively low, cautious enough not to let anyone else hear.

    Chen Ren subtly nodded, stirring his broth with a forced calmness he didn¡¯t feel on the inside. ¡°I see,¡± he replied evenly, his mind already running through his contingency plans. ¡°Well, I¡¯ve prepared everything. It should be fine. You¡¯re sure they won¡¯t act before the afternoon?¡±

    Old Man Tian nodded, squinting toward the marketplace. ¡°Yes, not before. They''re waiting for the crowds to build up first.¡±

    Chen Ren smiled. "Good. That gives me enough time to finish the morning rush."

    Old Man Tian nodded firmly. ¡°I wish you all the best."

    Chen Ren exhaled slowly, his mind sharpening as he watched the old man.

    At first, he''d considered Old Man Tian as a possible culprit behind his troubles. They had a rivalry, after all. The old man had his stall nearby, and while their competition wasn¡¯t exactly cutthroat, it was enough to raise suspicions. But Old Man Tian was no fool.

    He''d been the one to help Chen Ren secure the elusive permit for his stall in the first place. If he had wanted him out of the way, he could have easily tipped off the guard about his status as a cultivator. Fortunately, Old Man Tian was wise enough not to take the fight against a cultivator.

    Shaking off the thought, Chen Ren returned to the moment just as the old man spoke again.

    "So, if all goes according to plan, you¡¯ll lend me the kids, right?"

    Chen Ren gave a slow nod. "Yes, for an hour. They¡¯ll help advertise your stall, but you¡¯ve got to feed them twice in return. Daily. No shortcuts."

    He grinned, his yellowed teeth showing. "Yes, yes, I will. I''m fair."

    With a satisfied nod, the old man turned to shuffle back toward his own stall, hurrying through the crowd knowing the morning rush was about to begin. As soon as he was out of earshot, Xiulan¡¯s soft voice cut through the morning air. ¡°You sure it¡¯s okay to give away your marketing tricks like that?¡±

    Chen Ren smirked, his gaze still fixed on the swirling broth before him. ¡°It¡¯ll spread no matter what. At least this way, the kids get more food. The only reason Old Man Tian¡¯s even asking through me is because his breath scared them all away.¡±

    Chen Ren snickered at his own words while Xiulan let out a small chuckle, her amusement clear as they moved toward the bustling stall, which started getting busier considering more people were coming.

    The line of customers waiting for noodles stretched longer with each passing minute as he and Tang Xiulan got to work.

    The clatter of bowls and the murmur of conversation filled the air, as Chen Ren worked in rhythm with the growing demand, dishing out one bowl after another in almost mechanical movements as his muscles grew accustomed to the motion.

    Hours passed by and soon, the sun was halfway through setting. Afternoon was here and with it, the crowd doubled, adding in the workers who were here to grab lunch.

    ¡°Here you go,¡± Chen Ren handed a bowl of vegetable noodles to an older woman. She grabbed it with both her hands and then balanced it in one hand to pay seven copper wen.

    Chen Ren retrieved the money with a small smile and focused on the next customer.

    Everything was moving, just as planned, but he knew this peace wouldn¡¯t last.

    Yalan, who had been lounging lazily in the sun, suddenly opened one of her flared amber eyes. she told Chen Ren, her voice smooth as silk.

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    Chen Ren''s gaze swept across the bustling crowd before locking onto two men moving purposefully through the throng. Unlike the leisurely pace of the other customers browsing stalls and sampling goods, these two stood out immediately. He squinted his eyes to take a good look at both of them¡ª to clearly know what he was going to be dealing with.

    The first man who stormed forward was a tall, skinny figure with broad shoulders. His dark hair fell in disarray around his forehead, and his brows were knitted together in a fierce scowl. His black eyes burned with indignation, radiating a palpable intensity that made those around him instinctively step back as he walked, pushing past them and clenching his fists.

    In a pronounced difference, the second man trailed behind him, frail and gaunt, as if he had not gotten a proper meal in days. His skin was a sickly shade of pale, and beads of sweat dotted his forehead, betraying his distress.

    Dark circles under his bloodshot eyes hinted at exhaustion, while his trembling hands grasped the edge of the tall man for support. Each unsteady step he took seemed to echo his nausea, and his thin lips were drawn tight, a silent plea for respite from the situation he found himself in.

    "Here it comes," Chen Ren muttered under his breath, bracing himself.

    The two men barged through the line, causing a stir among the waiting customers.

    The angry one, face flushed with indignation, wasted no time before raising his voice. "Everyone, stop eating those noodles!" he shouted, pointing a trembling finger at Chen Ren¡¯s stall. "They¡¯ll make you sick! You might even get poisoned! This man is vile, feeding low-quality food to innocent people! Look at my brother¡ª he ate here yesterday, and now he¡¯s been puking his guts out all day. The herbalist says he won¡¯t heal for a week!"

    At his outburst, a murmur of uncertainty rippled through the crowd like someone blew a horn through the silence. Customers froze mid-bite, their chopsticks suspended in the air as they exchanged bewildered looks. Some stared down at their bowls, looking as if the once-tempting noodles now appeared less appetising under the scrutiny of accusation, while others cast wary glances toward Chen Ren, uncertainty flickering in their eyes.

    A few patrons instinctively backed away from the stall, their movements hesitant and cautious, as if they were retreating from a looming threat.

    Whispers flitted through the air, weaving a line of doubt among the onlookers. ¡°Did you hear what he said?¡± one woman murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Sick from the noodles? Is it true?¡±

    The atmosphere thickened with suspicion, as the aroma of the freshly cooked noodles, once enticing, was now tainted by the accusation.

    Chen Ren could feel the daggers of doubt piercing through the air and trying to stab him.

    He looked to his left, ignoring the whispers for a second. A child near the front of the line clutched his mother¡¯s hand tightly, his wide eyes darting between the angry man and the noodles, trying to comprehend the sudden shift in mood.

    Chen Ren narrowed his eyes and stepped forward.

    "What nonsense are you spouting?" His words cut through the growing commotion, but the angry man wasn¡¯t finished.

    "Spouting lies, am I?" The man¡¯s face twisted into an exaggerated mask of righteous fury. He jabbed a finger toward his pale, nauseous companion. "Look at my brother! He¡¯s practically on his deathbed, and all because of your noodles!"

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze flicked to the sickly-looking guy, then back to the accuser. "You decided to bring your brother who¡¯s on his deathbed to sprout bullshit? Seems like you care about accusing me more than your brother. Tell me, what proof do you have that my noodles caused this?"

    His voice was steady, but his qi simmered in his dantian, ready to rise at a moment¡¯s notice.

    The man seized the opportunity, launching into a dramatic tale. "My brother here is an apprentice scribe. We¡¯re so poor we can only afford one meal a day, and yesterday, he spent it on your wretched noodles!" he spat the words one after another in extreme slowness to emphasise his point. "Now he¡¯s so ill he can¡¯t even stand properly. You can¡¯t deflect responsibility this time. Return my money tenfold, and publicly apologise for poisoning him!"

    A sharp anger flared in Chen Ren, but his expression remained straight. He let just a flicker of his qi surface, his eyes gleaming with a subtle, icy chill. It wasn¡¯t much, but enough to send a ripple of unease through the man in front of him. The accuser faltered, taking a nervous step back as if an unseen force had brushed against him.

    But before Chen Ren could press further, a voice rang out from the edge of the marketplace. "What¡¯s going on here?"

    A guard, tall with broad shoulders, made his way through the crowd. His face was rugged, framed by a jawline that could have been carved from stone, and his dark hair was cropped short, highlighting the sharp angles of his features. His eyes swept over the scene with an air of authority, hand resting casually on his hips. His armour bore the crest of the city watch, gleaming in the sunlight as he stepped closer, his presence instantly silencing the gathering commotion.

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes flicked to the guard, and his thoughts shifted. This wasn¡¯t the same one from before.

    He guessed that the previous guard must¡¯ve gotten spooked and backed out. This new one had a different air¡ª he wasn¡¯t just here to intimidate. He was part of the plan, a second pawn set in motion.

    Chen Ren¡¯s jaw tightened, but he forced himself to remain calm. Whatever scheme was unfolding, he was ready for it.

    The angry man immediately moved towards the guard, telling his fake story, face strained with rage.

    After hearing the man¡¯s story, the guard took a deep breath and turned toward Chen Ren, his expression serious. "Is it true? You fed this man¡¯s brother noodles, and now he¡¯s sick? You need to come with us to the guard station, so we can solve this problem once and for all."

    Guard station? So they planned to drag him through the city¡¯s bureaucracy to ruin him, and the guard was playing along. The air around Chen Ren seemed to still as his annoyance built.

    "There¡¯s no proof he even ate my noodles," Chen Ren said, his voice steady yet sharp.

    The guard crossed his arms, unimpressed. "It doesn¡¯t matter. Someone¡¯s accusing you of making them sick, and the law is the law. We¡¯ll solve this at the guardhouse. Now, come quietly."

    "No." Chen Ren¡¯s voice dropped an octave, and the edge of his patience showed. "You can¡¯t take me based on nothing but hearsay."

    The guard¡¯s eyes hardened as he ran a hard hand through his jaw.

    ¡°I heard you are a cultivator, but you still have to follow the city¡¯s laws. And don¡¯t think you¡¯re above them¡ª there are cultivators among the city guards as well. So, comply."

    Chen Ren frowned. The man didn¡¯t look like the type to bulge if he only used his words, but he wasn¡¯t going to let them ruin his reputation so easily. If he really went to the station, rumours would spread that his noodles actually made people sick, no matter if he came out innocent or not.

    He glanced at the crowd¡ª dozens of eyes fixed on him, waiting for what he would do next.

    "Wait," Chen Ren said, voice rising just enough to capture everyone''s attention. He turned to the sickly man and his accuser. "You¡¯re not just claiming my noodles made him sick¡ª you¡¯re tarnishing the reputation of my stall. I can¡¯t let that stand."

    Before the guard could respond, Chen Ren strode to his stall, scooping up a bowl of freshly made noodles. He held it out toward the guard. "Here. Try it."

    The guard eyed the bowl, suspicion thick in his gaze. "I won¡¯t eat bad noodles."

    Chen Ren shrugged, calm and composed. "Fine. I¡¯ll eat it myself." Without hesitation, he took a generous bite, chewing slowly as if savouring the flavour. Then, he turned, facing the crowd now gathered around the scene.

    "You see that?" Chen Ren¡¯s voice rang out over the murmurs. "If my noodles were bad, why would I eat them myself?"

    The tension in the air shifted as people began to exchange uncertain glances, and the unease that had crept into the crowd started to dissipate.

    Chen Ren met their gazes one by one, making sure they saw his calm and certainty. "My reputation¡ª and my stall¡¯s reputation¡ª are on the line. If my food was dangerous, I wouldn¡¯t serve it, and I definitely wouldn¡¯t eat it."

    The guard faltered for a moment, and the crowd¡¯s whispering grew louder as they started to reconsider the accusation. Chen Ren wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and stood tall.

    The crowd had begun to sway in Chen Ren¡¯s favour when a voice cut through the rising murmurs.

    "Just accept that your noodles made someone sick," a deep, grating voice came from across the street.

    All the eyes, including Chen Ren¡¯s own, turned towards where the voice came from.

    The speaker was an older man with a broad chest, a grizzled beard, and a sneer that never quite left his face. He looked like he could fight with two men at the same time and end up winning for how his physique was built¡ª but again, looks could be deceiving.

    His name was Jiang Wu, a stall owner who sold steamed buns. Behind him, stood his two burly sons, arms crossed, their expressions mirroring their father''s contempt. "You¡¯re just trying to save face. But everyone here knows that when there''s smoke, there¡¯s fire."

    Jiang Wu¡¯s words struck a chord with some of the onlookers, their uncertainty flickering back to life as they glanced between Chen Ren and the sickly man. The balance was delicate¡ª too delicate. Chen Ren¡¯s fingers twitched at his side, the glint in his eyes sharpening as he regarded Jiang Wu with a cool gaze.

    Before Chen Ren could respond, the guard stepped forward again, voice firm. "Enough of this. You need to come with me, cultivator or not. We can settle this at the guardhouse."

    Chen Ren¡¯s stance remained unyielding, his voice calm but resolute. "I won¡¯t go with you. If you want to move me, you can try."

    The guard bristled, hand moving toward his baton as if testing Chen Ren¡¯s words. But just as tension threatened to break, a voice, clear and commanding, echoed over the crowd.

    "What¡¯s going on here?"

    All eyes turned toward the source of the voice. Walking toward the scene was Tang Yuqiu, the young miss of the Tang Clan, with her maid trailing a step behind her. Her presence suddenly became obvious in the marketplace chaos¡ª a figure of poise and authority amidst the rabble.

    Her eyes briefly scanned the situation, landing on Chen Ren with a raised brow.

    Chen Ren felt a smile tug at his lips. Finally, it was time to turn this around.

    This was the shift he needed, and it couldn¡¯t have come at a better time. He gave her a respectful nod as she reached the front, his mind already racing through the next steps of his plan.

 Chapter 13: Turning it over

    In a matter of seconds, the attention that had been focused on Chen Ren shifted entirely to the woman who had just arrived. Her attire stood out against the modest crowd¡ª an elegant red robe embroidered with delicate white roses at the hem, accompanied by a necklace and rings that spoke of wealth and status. She moved with a grace that naturally commanded attention, her presence turning heads as she approached and stood in front of Chen Ren¡¯s stall.

    Anyone with a discerning eye could instantly recognise her as someone of importance.

    However, the moment the heavy curious eyes fell on her, she spoke, her voice coming out clear and firm¡ª similar to how tall she stood.

    "What is going on?"

    The guard took a deep breath, trying to compose himself as he faced the young miss. ¡°It¡¯s like this,¡± he began, his voice faltering as he gestured toward the stall. ¡°One of these two brothers¡ª locals¡ª came by yesterday and ate at his stall. Not long after, this one started complaining about stomach pains, claiming he was poisoned by the noodles he served. He is saying the food was¡­ spoiled, and that it made him sick. This is his elder brother, telling how this one¡¯s at his deathbed and wants justice against the stall owner who fed his brother bad noodles.¡±

    His words came quickly as if to rid himself of the burden of the accusation, but once he finished, Tang Yuqiu merely cast a sharp look at him and asked, her tone measured but piercing, "So, you believe he sold sickly noodles?"

    The guard hesitated, his confidence wavering under her steady gaze. It wasn¡¯t just Tang Yuqiu and Chen Ren, but even the consumers who surrounded the stall looked at the guard awaiting a reasonable response.

    "That¡¯s what I¡¯ve heard," he said, his voice faltering. "We need to investigate, and for that, the man must come with us."

    Her frown deepened as her eyes swept over the gathered crowd, scanning their faces quietly. Her gaze looked sharper than a razor as she dragged it along the people. Even the air felt uncomfortable as a few seconds passed by.

    After a pause, she turned her attention back to the guard. "If you don¡¯t know," she began, her voice cutting through the tension. "Let me clarify. The noodles he sells are made from rice, a fact anyone here can see from their texture and appearance. The Tang Clan has a direct arrangement with Chen Ren, and I, myself, oversee the transaction and can guarantee that the rice is of high quality without any blemishes on it."

    ¡°B-but¡ª¡±

    She stepped closer, her gaze hardening as she stared the guard down. "I am Tang Yuqiu, daughter of the Tang Clan head, Tang Jihao. If you truly mean to make this accusation, you are not merely questioning Chen Ren but challenging¡ª no, questioning the reputation of the entire Tang household. Is that a risk you are willing to take? Tell me!¡±

    The revelation of her identity caused more than a few people to look at her differently.

    Tang Clan might not be a cultivator clan, but they had deep pockets to hire a lot of them. And everyone in the city knew the kind of reputation they uphold.

    The guard paled visibly, beads of sweat forming at his temple and around his shaved moustache. He licked his lips and visibly contemplated what she had said. And as the man hesitated, murmurs rippled through the crowd.

    The two brothers, who had stirred up the commotion, looked ashen¡ª especially the sickly one, who seemed on the verge of collapse. He was holding onto his dear brother, who now looked to want nothing more than to run, hide himself and never look behind.

    Desperation flickered in the guard¡¯s eyes as he stammered, ¡°N-No, Young Miss Tang, we were only trying to do our job.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu, raised an eyebrow, her gaze cold. ¡°Your job, is it? A job that involves creating a public spectacle and tarnishing the reputation of someone not only a cultivator but also a guest of the Tang Clan? Huh! You have guts.¡± Her voice carried a dangerous edge, and she leaned in slightly. "My father meets the City Lord every year at the Winter Solstice Festival. Perhaps I should mention this little incident to him, let him know about how the guards of this city treat honoured guests of our clan."

    The guard paled further, his bravado crumbling. He took a step forward and raised one hand in the air. "N-No, young miss, it wasn''t my intention to go against the Tang Clan! I¡ª"

    ¡°But you¡¯re saying that there is something wrong with the noodles. You also sounded pretty adamant about taking Chen Ren to the guardhouse.¡±

    ¡°I mean¡ª that¡¯s what¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, the shopkeeper, Jiang Wu who had been accusing Chen Ren interrupted, desperation in his voice.

    "Wait! It might not be the rice¡ª but what about the vegetables? They could have been bad! I have seen him handing out those vegetable noodles!" S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    That statement turned all the attention from the cornered guard towards Jiang Wu.

    Tang Yuqiu¡¯s eyes narrowed, and she turned her attention to Chen Ren, her voice calm as she pointed at the baskets of fresh vegetables sitting on top of his stall. "The vegetables¡ª aren''t they from the Tang Clan manor as well? Isn¡¯t that right, Chen Ren?"

    Chen Ren quickly nodded, grateful for her support. "Yes, they are, Yuqiu." His eyes briefly met hers, and he flashed a look of silent gratitude. She narrowed her eyes slightly at him for calling her by her first name, but quickly understood his intention as he added. ¡°The man is just unaware of my close relationship with the Tang Clan and how I have no reason to scour bad ingredients when I could get the best ones in the city easily.¡±

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    The guard, seeing the tide turning against him, immediately bowed at Tang Yuqiu. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for what just happened here, Young Miss. It seems like this is all a big misunderstanding! Please allow me to correct my mistakes!¡±

    ¡°Go on. I would like to see that.¡± Tang Yuqiu crossed her arms as every eye moved to the guard.

    ¡°You!¡± The guard turned towards the aggressive brother. ¡°It seems the noodles didn¡¯t make your brother sick after all. Now, get out of here unless you want me to arrest you for defamation of an honoured cultivator!¡± His voice trembled as he addressed the two brothers.

    The sick brother clung desperately to the taller one, his breath ragged, skin pale and slick with sweat. His hands trembled as he gripped his sibling¡¯s arm, eyes wide with fear. The taller one, his face drained of all colour, cast frantic glances around the marketplace, his composure unravelling.

    For a moment, the crowd stood frozen, watching as panic took hold of the two. Their movements became jittery, and uncontrolled, as the sick brother let out a strained gasp. Without exchanging a word, they both turned, stumbling over their own feet and bolted. The sick one clenched tighter to the taller, and dragged along as they fled, leaving nothing but murmurs and curious eyes after him.

    The guard, desperate to escape his own shame, bowed again, this time toward both Tang Yuqiu and Chen Ren, muttering a hasty apology before attempting to slip away.

    But Chen Ren stepped forward, his hand rising to stop him. "Wait," he said, his voice calm but firm, freezing the guard in place.

    Chen Ren''s eyes gleamed with subtle amusement as he addressed the guard. "Since you''re already here, why not check the ingredients at the other stalls as well? I''m sure you might find someone worthy of your attention. After all, it wouldn¡¯t be right to leave empty-handed, would it?" His tone was light, but the underlying message was clear.

    The guard, catching on to the meaning behind his words, quickly nodded. "Yes, yes, you¡¯re right. I was only here to ensure the stall owners were following the rules anyway."

    His tone was hurried, eager to deflect from the earlier confrontation. He looked around as if he didn¡¯t know where to begin, his eyes shifting from one stall to another, even looking at the Old Man Tian¡¯s stall, which was right across the road.

    ¡°Well!¡± Chen Ren casually gestured toward Jiang Wu and the steamed bun stall behind him. "Why not start with that stall over there?"

    The guard''s eyes widened slightly, realising what Chen Ren was hinting at.

    "Of course," he replied, as Jiang Wu and his two sons shook from the response. Their eyes and mouth widened at what was about to come.

    With a final, shallow bow, the guard moved toward the accused stall, leaving the crowd whispering and pointing fingers at the steamed buns.

    ***

    The crowd thinned after the commotion ended, yet the stall remained lively. Steam curled upward from the large pot, carrying the scent of savoury broth and freshly cooked noodles.

    Chen Ren stood beside the stall, watching as Tang Yuqiu elegantly lifted a bowl of vegetable noodles to her lips, her expression unreadable as she took a delicate bite. Her maid stood nearby, eating in silence, the soft clink of their chopsticks the only sound between them.

    Xiulan effortlessly managed the stall, handing bowls to waiting customers with the same precision one might expect from a master swordsman, her movements swift yet graceful and well-practised. Meanwhile, the Yalan slept lazily on a shaded ledge nearby, undisturbed by the flurry of activity.

    The scene felt peaceful in a way Chen Ren hadn¡¯t expected after the earlier confrontation.

    Just as he glanced over at Tang Yuqiu, she tilted her head, her gaze fixed on a distant scene. Following her line of sight, Chen Ren saw Jiang Wu being dragged away by the same guard who moments before tried to arrest him. The shopkeeper¡¯s sons stumbled behind, crying loudly as the crowd murmured, staring at the spectacle of the family being hauled off for selling expired ingredients.

    It was a sight to behold¡ª justice served in the most public ways.

    "You know," Tang Yuqiu spoke softly between bites, her eyes never leaving the scene. "They¡¯ll likely be back on the street within a week. Stall owners often have good connections with the guards or others in the market. They¡¯re the first to be disturbed if anything happens after all."

    Chen Ren smirked slightly, nodding as he wiped his hands on a cloth. "I know. Jiang Wu has ties with the captain of the guard who patrols this area. It''s how he managed to pull off this entire setup against me in the first place." He glanced over his shoulder at the crowd still gossiping about the incident. "He¡¯ll definitely return¡ª but his reputation? That''s over."

    Tang Yuqiu raised a brow, curious. "And you¡¯re fine with that? He dared to go frame a cultivator. I thought you''d go straight to killing. Or at least beat them up"

    Chen Ren nodded. "I could have tried to flip the entire incident back on him earlier, but it would¡¯ve been his word against mine. Even with proof, he could¡¯ve dismissed it as baseless accusations. But now?" He motioned toward him, who was still being dragged through the market. "Now, everyone will know he¡¯s the one who sold faulty food. It¡¯s not just a rumour anymore¡ª it¡¯s fact. Also, I don''t want to break any laws of the city. Even if cultivators are hot-headed, any confrontation within the city would get you a trip down the pits, cultivator or not. And it''s beneath me to challenge them to a public duel."

    Tang Yuqiu paused, her lips curling into a faint smile as she took another bite.

    Chen Ren leaned against the stall, his eyes scanning the bustling market. "Moreover," he said, a hint of calculation in his voice. "I used this whole situation to make my connection to you and the Tang Clan known. Now, none of these people will dare bother me. I don¡¯t want to deal with nonsense like this again."

    "You¡¯ve got more brains than I expected."

    "I haven¡¯t put them to proper use in a long time. But when I do, they work just fine."

    Her eyes narrowed in curiosity. "Planning to use them more often from now on?"

    "Yeah, that¡¯s the plan," he said, turning to her with an appreciative nod. "And... Thank you for helping me out this time. I couldn¡¯t have pulled this off without you."

    Yuqiu¡¯s chopsticks froze mid-air as she blinked, taken aback by his sincerity. Her lips parted, but she quickly regained her composure, giving him a short nod. "So, should I consider it a favour?"

    Chen Ren rubbed the back of his neck, his expression thoughtful. "Sure. Just don¡¯t ask for anything outrageous. I¡¯m already in debt as it is."

    Yuqiu laughed softly, a sound more genuine than before. "I¡¯m not planning to. But," her tone shifted, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "It might not be as easy as you think."

    Chen Ren could only smile wryly, knowing full well that with someone like Tang Yuqiu, favours were rarely ever simple.

    ***

    A/N - If you are liking it, please consider following it. It really helps on Rising stars.

 Chapter 14: Right kind of opportunity (Bonus Chapter)

    Chen Ren leaned against the wooden frame of his stall, arms crossed, eyes watching the flow of people on Market Street.

    It had been a week since Jiang Wu¡¯s little stunt had been decimated by him¡ª trying to sabotage him with rumours about his noodles. And now, like clockwork, every vendor kept their distance from him and no one dared to go against him.

    As expected, Jiang Wu''s steamed bun stall had seen fewer and fewer customers each day. In a business where word of mouth ruled like a tyrant, faulty ingredients were a death sentence. The foolish man had cursed his own livelihood.

    Meanwhile, Chen Ren¡¯s fortunes were a rising tide. More customers came daily, their numbers swelling as though drawn by an invisible current. A bowl of noodles had become a staple of the market crowd, bringing him more business than he could have anticipated.

    "120 to 130 bowls a day¡­" he murmured, running the numbers in his head.

    At 5 to 7 copper wen per bowl, that meant he could earn between 600 and 910 copper wen daily. Over the course of a month, the numbers compounded further. After deducting costs for ingredients, wood for the fire, and other essentials, he was left with a profit margin that hovered around 150 silver wen every month. It was more money than he had ever held in his hands in this world, and even after paying Tang Xiulan for her help, there was still a respectable sum left for himself.

    Yet when he considered the mountain of debt he owed¡ªthe price for his medallion¡ª this new fortune was more like a drop in the ocean. He would be able to reclaim the medallion, yes, but it would be tight. Perhaps, just barely, by the end of the set time.

    He also had to remember the fact that Feng Ming wasn''t his only debtor.

    But Chen Ren didn¡¯t worry too much. Why should he? His first business venture was thriving, and along the way, he had unknowingly connected to the Dao of Money. It was esoteric in nature, something most cultivators overlooked in their pursuit of power, but Chen Ren had felt its pull, its hidden current.

    Money flowed like qi¡ª always moving, always circulating, with its own momentum. And momentum, Chen Ren knew, was everything. With the ideas swirling in his mind like a vortex, he felt certain he would conquer his debts sooner than expected. His thoughts were already moving beyond the simple act of selling noodles.

    But for now, he pushed those ambitions aside. There were other things to focus on. His first goal¡ª stabilising the stall¡ª had been met. It was time to shift his focus inward.

    He should begin to devote more time to learning about cultivation techniques, something he had neglected in his pursuit of profit. A balance needed to be struck. After all, the Dao was not just about silver and copper.

    ***

    In the quiet, secluded garden of the Tang Clan, Chen Ren stood before a wooden training dummy. The air was still, disturbed only by the soft rustling of leaves, and the warmth of the afternoon sun kissed his skin. His hands flexed in front of him, muscles tensing as he focused on his next move. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    "[Thundering Fist!]" he yelled, thrusting his fists forward with force.

    A spark of lightning arced out from his knuckles, crackling faintly in the air before dissipating. His punch connected with the dummy, causing a few minor cracks to spread across its surface.

    Chen Ren stepped back, his brows furrowing in frustration. He glanced over at Yalan lounging nearby, her amber eyes half-closed as she basked lazily in the sun.

    "You sure this isn¡¯t a faulty technique?" he asked, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead.

    Yalan didn''t bother to open her eyes fully, stretching out lazily. she purred. The rest of the words came aloud. "It''s one of the few fist techniques passed down in the Chen Clan. Works well with your element. Thunder resonates with your qi. Unless, of course, you''d prefer to pick up a sword."

    Chen Ren followed Yalan''s gaze, glancing over at the neatly arranged swords and cultivation manuals lying on the side. The Chen Clan had always been a clan of swordsmen, known for their mastery of blade techniques.

    It was clear why the old Chen Ren had wanted to join the Soaring Sword Sect¡ª everything in his upbringing had pointed to it. But for the former, the thought of wielding a sword left him cold.

    He wasn¡¯t interested in close-combat weapons. Swords, spears, hatchets, axes¡ª they were cool to play with in games, but in real life, he would rather keep his distance from the enemy.

    Hence, the idea of wielding a bow had intrigued him ever since he first entered this world. To defend from a distance, to strike from afar¡ª that was more his style. But cultivators who specialised in bows were rare.

    Bows required such fine precision and balance between strength and qi that it was hard to even find one that could withstand the power of a cultivator.

    For now, he was stuck with the basics, working on his form and balance with these fist techniques. Even though it was a close-combat technique, it would be smart to learn a technique or two like this.

    He had to start somewhere, and at least the [Thundering Fist] seemed to align with his element, even if he couldn¡¯t fully control it yet.

    He had also read in the manual that it could be used to throw around arcs of lightning, even from a distance at a greater mastery, so there was more than enough reason to learn it.

    Taking a deep breath, Chen Ren squared up with the dummy once more, his fists raised. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to sense the flow of qi in the air. This time, as he struck forward again, he could feel it¡ª the energy around him becoming more tangible.

    The qi was beginning to respond to his movements, his strikes gaining a subtle weight behind them.

    "[Thundering Fist!]" he called out again, his fist cutting through the air. This time, the sparks of lightning were stronger, lingering a bit longer before vanishing. As he pulled his hand back, he glanced down at his arms.

    Lightning crackled faintly along his skin, running up his forearms. His control over his qi was growing, and with it, the technique¡¯s potential. A slow grin crept across his face.

    "Better," he muttered, feeling the thrum of power starting to build within him.

    Chen Ren flexed his fingers, watching the faint arcs of lightning still dancing along his forearms. The power was starting to feel more natural, almost as if it belonged there. But a thought gnawed at the back of his mind.

    He glanced at Yalan, now lazily stretching, completely unbothered by his struggles.

    "Hey," he called out. "You sure this is just a mortal-grade technique?"

    Yalan''s tail twitched, and she opened one eye to peer at him. "Yes, it¡¯s a mortal-grade technique," she replied with a yawn."If it were earth-grade, you''d barely be able to perform it. Most earth-grade techniques require a lot more qi. Even though you''re starting to sense it, using qi in techniques is an entirely different art."

    Chen Ren frowned, running a hand over his arm, where the lightning had cracked moments before. "And why doesn¡¯t the lightning harm me?"

    Yalan sat up, blinking as if the answer should¡¯ve been obvious. "You¡¯ve got lightning affinity spirit roots," she said. "Your affinity gives you a natural resistance. The technique won¡¯t harm you unless you push yourself too far."

    Chen Ren nodded, absorbing the information. It still felt strange to him, being able to wield lightning without burning himself, but he supposed there was logic to it. At least Xianxia logic.

    If his spirit roots were tied to the element, it made sense that his body would be more in tune with it.

    He stepped back to the wooden dummy, his focus sharpening. His strikes came faster now, each punch laced with more qi from the last.

    "[Thundering Fist!]" he roared, his fist crashing into the dummy. Cracks began to spiderweb across its surface as arcs of lightning danced around the impact site. His control was improving; he could feel the qi more distinctly, his strikes more powerful, the lightning sharper.

    As he worked through another series of punches, Yalan¡¯s voice broke through his concentration. "What are you going to do about your Dao?"

    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    Chen Ren paused mid-strike, turning to face Yalan with a puzzled expression. "What do you mean?"

    Yalan tilted its head, giving him a scrutinising look that ended up being cute due to her being a cat. "Your growth has slowed. You¡¯ve been earning a decent amount from the stall, sure, but if you want to grow more, you¡¯ll need to improve it. Or expand into other businesses. You can¡¯t just stay at one level forever."

    Chen Ren wiped his brow, his thoughts briefly drifting back to the noodle stall.

    Tang Xiulan was handling things at the market today, managing the customers and keeping everything running smoothly. She was reliable, which allowed him the freedom to focus on cultivation. But Yalan wasn¡¯t wrong. If he wanted to expand, the stall needed more. More customers, better products, and maybe even more locations.

    "I¡¯ve thought about it," he said, his voice contemplative. "But I¡¯m waiting for the right opportunity."

    Yalan narrowed its eyes. "What kind of opportunity?"

    Before Chen Ren could respond, the loud sound of footsteps echoed through the garden. A guard appeared, striding toward him with an air of urgency.

    "The clan head is looking for you," the guard announced, his eyes briefly flicking toward the lounging cat with mild curiosity.

    Chen Ren glanced at Yalan, who met his gaze with a knowing look. This was the opportunity.

    Chen Ren thought to himself but knew the cat heard him as he dusted off his robes and prepared to follow the guard. His fists still tingled with the remnants of lightning, and though his mind was focused on what lay ahead, part of him couldn¡¯t help but feel that both his business and his cultivation had just taken their first steps toward

    ***

    Chen Ren moved swiftly through the hallways of the Tang Clan, the scent of noodle broth filled the air around him.

    In one hand, he carried a bowl, steam rising from the broth and curling through the air, laced with a delicate fragrance of spices and herbs. The other hand hovered near the hem of his robe, ready to steady the bowl if needed. His steps were light as he continued along the same path.

    The guards at the door barely glanced at him, already informed of his presence here, and they stepped aside without a word.

    Chen Ren approached the entrance to the clan head¡¯s chambers, but something stopped him just before he knocked on the door. Voices, quiet but clear, drifted through the door.

    ¡°Father, please! It was important to me!¡±

    He froze, realising the familiar female voice he had heard often these days. It was Tang Yuqiu¡¯s.

    "You know it was just a trial," A deep, serious yet calm voice followed. He used his memories to pin it as Tang Clan head, Tang Jihao.

    Tang Yuqiu¡¯s voice was sharp, almost trembling with frustration. "It matters, Father. I failed. But don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll fix it. I¡¯ll find something to make sure the business gets money."

    "You don¡¯t have to push yourself," Tang Jihao replied softly. "You can learn under me. There¡¯s no shame in that."

    "No!" Yuqiu''s voice cracked with emotion as she almost shouted. "I will do it. And I will show you. Just give me more time!"

    There was a pause. Chen Ren could almost hear the silence echoing in the space between them.

    Before he could step back or announce his presence, the sound of hurried footsteps drew closer. The door swung open, revealing the young lady.

    Her hair was slightly dishevelled, her robes a bit wrinkled unlike every other time he¡¯d seen her in a perfect light and her eyes carried a look of fierce determination¡ª until they landed on him. She froze.

    Chen Ren, caught off guard, managed an awkward "hello."

    For a moment, they stood there, an uncomfortable silence filling the space between them. Then, without a word, Tang Yuqiu brushed past him, her steps quick as she strode off down the hallway, her figure stiff with tension.

    Chen Ren exhaled softly and stared at the empty space where she¡¯d been standing. He wasn¡¯t sure what he had walked into, but the weight of their conversation lingered in the air.

    "Come in," urged the voice of the clan head, cutting through his thoughts.

    Chen Ren straightened himself, stepping into the room. As he entered, Tang Jihao¡¯s eyes settled on him, offering a brief but warm smile. "Sorry you had to witness that," he said, gesturing for Chen Ren to approach.

    He looked down at Tang Jihao¡ª sunken eyes, wrinkled face, frail figure, bony hands. Despite being known to be a foodie and a rich merchant, he looked worse than most poor commoners. Despite that, his voice was clear and serious, befitting of his status.

    Chen Ren guessed that the rumours about the man going through some sort of a curse were true and as he took more than a comfortable amount of time to stare at him, Tang Jihao raked a hand through his goatee.

    That was enough of an action for him to shake his head and offer a polite bow.

    "No problem at all." His gaze shifted to Tang Jihao¡¯s expression¡ª calm yet burdened¡ª and he stepped forward, holding up the bowl of noodles. "I thought an eastern delicacy might lighten the stress of running so many successful businesses."

    Tang Jihao''s pupils dilated slightly with interest as the steam from the bowl wafted toward him. "Ah, your famed noodles. A thoughtful gesture."

    Chen Ren presented the dish, hoping the food would offer more comfort than his words. He could still feel the tension from the previous exchange hanging in the room, but for now, he must focus on the present.

    Tang Jihao took the bowl with a small smile, steam rising as he inspected the dish. "Very interesting," he said in a warm tone.

    The noodles were a simple gesture, but for someone like Tang Jihao, they were the best way to approach. It also seemed to work as the man raised his hand and gestured to Chen Ren to take the opposite seat.

    Chen Ren complied, watching as the clan head took his first bite. His gaze was unreadable, but after a brief pause, the head let out a quiet sound of approval. The tension in the room seemed to ease with every slurp of broth, and Chen Ren felt his shoulders relax slightly.

    ¡°Thank you for letting me stay here for so long,¡± Chen Ren began, his voice steady but sincere. ¡°Even if I¡¯ve been nothing but trouble.¡±

    Tang Jihao''s head chuckled softly, setting the bowl down for a moment. ¡°Well, these noodles are good enough to make me let you stay for a whole year."

    Chen Ren, his tone lightening, replied, "Then I¡¯ll make sure to have it delivered every day."

    Tang Jihao laughed¡ª a deep, genuine sound. "Chen Ren, you¡¯ve really changed. You¡¯re very different from the first time we met."

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t flinch at the statement, keeping his expression composed. "I know."

    The head¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly in curiosity. "Why is that? I¡¯ve been meaning to ask ever since you started your business."

    Chen Ren paused for a moment, thinking of how to pick his words carefully. After a breath, he replied, "I realised the path I was fighting for wasn¡¯t mine. I was inadequate and arrogant. The heavens are open to all, but only those with the ability can afford to be arrogant. I didn¡¯t have any, so I changed my path."

    The old man¡¯s gaze lingered on him, thoughtful. "And what is your path now?"

    Chen Ren considered the question, feeling the weight of it. He could hardly tell the truth¡ª that his true path was still blurry, somewhere between survival, finding his footing in a world that wasn¡¯t his own and creating a business empire. But instead, he smiled faintly and decided to mix them with lies. "My path is one of business. I want to help people, make their lives comfortable by selling things, and earn karma in return."

    "A path of a merchant?"

    "A path of prosperity," Chen Ren corrected.

    Tang Jihao nodded, seemingly impressed. "A noble goal. And how did you come to this conclusion?"

    Chen Ren, maintaining his calm, crafted his next story with care. "My ancestor who founded the Chen Clan. Before he became a cultivator, he was a merchant. He walked the path of prosperity until a chance encounter with the heavens led him to cultivation. But even after that, he never forgot his roots in trade. Through his business, he prospered many lives."

    "I thought he was always a cultivator."

    "No, he was a merchant first. His success in business laid the foundation for the cultivation path he later took. It was his understanding of balance¡ª both in trade and cultivation¡ªthat led him to prosper."

    Tang Jihao let out another small chuckle, nodding thoughtfully. "Interesting. You¡¯ve given me a lot to think about. A path of prosperity, you say?"

    Chen Ren nodded, his expression unwavering, though inside, he knew the truth was far more complicated.

    It was, in fact, true that one of Chen Ren''s ancestors had been a merchant who stumbled upon a chance encounter that changed the course of his life. However, despite that origin, the Chen Clan wasn¡¯t built on trade but rather on blood and blades. Even now, they were known as a sword clan, ruthless and battle-hardened, with little room for the softer arts of commerce. Still, the story served its purpose.

    The clan head took another bite of the noodles, his approval clear.

    ¡°I¡¯m proud of you for walking down the path of your ancestor,¡± he added.

    Chen Ren offered a humble nod, his posture relaxed, but his mind was still calculating.

    The head leaned back and pulled out a small bundle of letters, setting them on the table between them with a heavy thud. ¡°You know what these are,¡± the head said, his tone losing some of its warmth.

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes flicked to the letters. He knew exactly what they were. "Yes, they¡¯re letters from my debtors."

    Tang Jihao¡¯s expression darkened slightly as he added, "They asked me about your debts, thinking I would pay them off for you."

    Chen Ren had anticipated this. He had been aware of the clan head¡¯s role in keeping the debt collectors at bay for a while now. He had written letters, asking for more time, but that wouldn¡¯t have done much if his debtors hadn''t assumed that he was under the Tang Clan. "I appreciate that, truly," Chen Ren said, his tone careful. "I know they¡¯ve been pressing you."

    Tang Jihao gave a slow nod. "Yes. I¡¯ve been keeping them from taking any action against you because I find you interesting. But it won¡¯t stay this way forever, Chen Ren."

    Chen Ren had expected as much. He knew Tang Jihao wasn¡¯t doing this out of charity or goodwill. "I understand. It must be difficult to hold them off on my behalf, and I¡¯m grateful for it. But I think I can give you a reason to hold them back a bit longer."

    The clan head¡¯s eyebrow arched slightly. "And what reason would that be?"

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips curled into a slow, calculated smile as he uttered a single name. "Tang Yuqiu, your daughter."

    At the sound of the name, Tang Jihao''s expression shifted ever so slightly. His eyes flickered with something¡ª surprise? Curiosity? Chen Ren couldn¡¯t tell. He waited, wondering what his response would be.

    After a moment, Tang Jihao leaned forward, his voice low. "So, you¡¯re finally ready to marry her, then?"

    Chen Ren froze, and his entire body went cold. His smile faded, replaced by a look of sheer panic.

    ***

    A/N - It''s a bonus chapter. I will do one more bonus chapter at 3000 followers, if we manage to reach it by 14 November.

 Chapter 15: A new wind

    Although Chen Ren had long known the Tang Clan head¡¯s intentions when he allowed his body¡¯s former occupant to stay in the family¡¯s courtyard, he had hoped the man had abandoned those thoughts. But as he sat in front of Tang Jihao, hearing his sudden excitement and hopeful tone, Chen Ren knew his recent success had reignited those expectations.

    The clan head leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of paternal pride and ambition. "It seems your growth has given me something to think about, Young Ren. Perhaps there¡¯s a future between you and Yuqiu after all."

    Chen Ren felt a chill run down his spine. He had to clarify quickly before things spiralled further. ¡°I believe there¡¯s been a misunderstanding. My words were not about marriage."

    Tang Jihao¡¯s eyes narrowed, his expression shifting from hopeful to curious, almost predatory. "Oh? And why not?" His tone was sharper now as if testing Chen Ren¡¯s response. "Do you already have someone else in your heart? Although Yuqiu can be hot-headed, she''s a beauty. You won¡¯t find another woman like her¡ªcertainly not in Cloud Mist City. I think you can be apprehensive since she won''t allow more wives, but isn''t she enough? You have seen her. She can certainly handle you."

    Chen Ren swallowed hard. His mind raced, trying to find the right words to avoid offence. "It¡¯s not that," he said, his voice steady. "But I¡¯ve no intention of considering romance, not until I¡¯ve cleared my debts." He glanced at the clan head, measuring his response before continuing. "My focus right now is elsewhere, more on business than personal matters."

    Tang Jihao leaned back, stroking the goatee thoughtfully. His sharp gaze softened slightly, his interest piqued. "Business, you say?" His voice lost some of its edge, settling into something more curious. "What exactly do you mean?"

    Chen Ren took a deep breath, the tension in the room still palpable but shifting. "Earlier," he began. "I overheard your conversation. I know your daughter has been trying to start a business of her own."

    Tang Jihao¡¯s brows furrowed, his lips tightening. He nodded slowly. "That¡¯s right. I gave her an investment and told her to test her capabilities. It didn¡¯t work out as she¡¯d hoped. Business is not as simple as many believe. It¡¯s not all about capital but understanding people, markets, and timing." He sighed. "I admit, I¡¯m surprised you managed to run that noodle stall so effectively. It¡¯s no small feat."

    Chen Ren nodded in agreement. "Exactly, it¡¯s difficult. That¡¯s why I¡¯m offering to help her. But in exchange, I need two things."

    The clan head¡¯s eyes sharpened once more, the air between them growing still.

    "Oh?" He sat up straighter, his presence suddenly felt towering, demanding. "And what exactly are these two things you¡¯re asking for?"

    Chen Ren steeled himself, knowing this was the crucial part. "First," he began, "I need you to hold off the creditors for a bit longer. Just for a short time. I¡¯m confident I¡¯ll be able to pay them back soon." His voice was steady, but Chen Ren felt the weight of his gamble inside.

    Tang Jihao frowned slightly but didn¡¯t interrupt, so Chen Ren pressed on. "Second, I¡¯ve heard that your clan has a carpenter workshop. A good one."

    The clan head¡¯s frown deepened. "Yes, we do. Why?"

    Chen Ren smiled. "I need them to build several stalls for me. Nothing extravagant, just enough to put up a proper front for my noodle business. I would like to open up branches all around the city."

    At that, Tang Jihao fell silent, lost in thought. His gaze drifted towards his lap, but Chen Ren could feel the man¡¯s mind working, calculating the risks and benefits, pros and cons. Finally, the old man sighed, nodding slowly. "It doesn¡¯t sound like an unreasonable request. But are you confident, boy? Starting a new business isn''t as simple as setting up a shop. My daughter isn¡¯t interested in selling noodles, as you know. Only in eating them."

    Chen Ren smiled wider, feeling more at ease. "It won¡¯t be noodles this time. I¡¯ve seen many things as a cultivator before I ended up here. I have ideas, things I¡¯ve picked up during my travels that will suit her more. You can trust me on that."

    Tang Jihao¡¯s eyes flickered, still cautious but intrigued. "And what if you fail? What happens then?"

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t hesitate. "If I can¡¯t make this business a success for her, you can kick me out. No hard feelings. I won¡¯t come back for second chances or beg for forgiveness. My pride as a cultivator won''t allow me to do so."

    That seemed to amuse Tang Jihao. A low chuckle escaped his lips, growing louder until it became a full, hearty laugh that echoed through the room. "Bold! You¡¯ve got a spine, I¡¯ll give you that." He slapped his knee, still grinning. "Fine, fine. I¡¯ll do it. But remember, if you succeed, this business needs to be something she controls. I¡¯m not giving you free rein here, understand? She needs to be at the front."

    Chen Ren nodded quickly. "Of course. I¡¯ll make sure of it. Her face will be at the front, and I''ll stand beside her. She¡¯ll be the one in charge. Profits will be shared, but her name will be heard around the city."

    Tang Jihao¡¯s laughter subsided, but a spark of approval lingered in his eyes. "We¡¯ll see how long that confidence of yours lasts. But for now, you¡¯ve got my backing. Don¡¯t disappoint me."

    Chen Ren bowed his head slightly. "I won¡¯t."

    Inside of him, a storm of thoughts churned, already planning the next step. He glanced at the letters from the creditors and realised he might have less time than he had hoped for.  S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    As Chen Ren turned to leave, Tang Jihao¡¯s voice stopped him at the door. "Oh, and one more thing," the clan head said, his tone lighter. "Send me those noodles every day. They¡¯re quite good."

    Chen Ren smiled and nodded, but just as he was about to step out, Tang Jihao added with a knowing smirk, "And think about my daughter, would you? She may be mortal, but she¡¯s not a bad match. Especially if you¡¯re serious about becoming a merchant."

    For that, Chen gave a polite smile, though his mind was already elsewhere.

    "Understood," he replied, nodding once before stepping out into the corridor.

    ***

    The corridor was quiet as he walked, his thoughts still circling the conversation with Tang Jihao. The weight of the proposal¡ª Tang Yuqiu¡¯s business, the creditors, the thinly veiled suggestion about marriage¡ª hung heavy on his mind. But deeper still was the gnawing sense that his own plans were slowly slipping beyond his control.

    As if sensing his turmoil, a soft purr echoed from the shadows. Chen Ren turned to see a sleek, pure-white-furred cat emerge from the corner, her amber eyes gleaming with amusement.

    Yalan remarked casually, her voice laced with nonchalance as she padded beside him.

    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Chen Ren sighed, shaking his head. He glanced down at Yalan and glared at her.

    Yalan lifted her chin, her tone imperious.

    Chen Ren couldn¡¯t help but stifle a laugh.

    Yalan replied smoothly, her tail flicking with pride,

    Chen Ren bit his lip, trying to suppress his amusement, but Yalan¡¯s confidence was contagious. He let the moment pass, though, and focused on the more pressing matters at hand.

    Yalan asked.

    Chen Ren admitted, his mental voice lowering as they walked.

    Yalan¡¯s eyes narrowed thoughtfully before she spoke again.

    Chen Ren stopped in his tracks, turning to look at her and not even bothering to speak in his mind. "You¡¯d do that for me?"

    Yalan stretched lazily, her eyes half-closed as she replied," her eyes gleamed with a faint curiosity,

    Chen Ren stared at her for a long moment, a mix of amusement and curiosity flickering across his face. "You¡¯re that interested in my Dao?"

    Yalan didn¡¯t respond right away, simply turning her head to the side as if she hadn¡¯t heard the question. Then, with a slow, deliberate flick of her tail, she said,

    Chen Ren smiled to himself, his thoughts once again returning to the many complications that awaited him. But with Yalan beside him, whispering secrets of Dao and destiny, he felt a little more at ease. Even if he hadn¡¯t fully trusted her yet, it was better to have her on his side than against him.

    He let out a laugh through his nose and looked down. "I don¡¯t know about all that. Either way, I¡¯d rather keep you as my trump card. If things get too bad, I¡¯ll call on you. But for now, I was planning to ask Yuqiu for help. I still owe her a favour, so I can knock out two problems at once. And having the support of the Tang Clan Head won¡¯t hurt either."

    Yalan gave a satisfied nod as they continued walking, her ember eyes reflecting the lanterns¡¯ dim glow in the corridors. It was quiet, the stillness only broken by the soft sound of their footsteps and the distant rustling of night wind through the courtyard trees.

    After a while, Chen Ren broke the silence. "By the way," he began slowly, "I¡¯ve been wondering... Do you know what¡¯s going on with the Tang Jihao? He looks... sickly. He''s the same in the previous Chen Ren''s memories. And it doesn''t seem like normal sickness."

    Yalan¡¯s ears flicked, her gaze shifting slightly.

    "Soul disease?"

    Yalan¡¯s tail swished, her tone matter-of-fact.

    Chen Ren absorbed the information in silence, his mind racing. Soul diseases were far outside his realm of expertise. He had heard stories about them, tales of how the soul could be corrupted, rotted from the inside out. But never had he imagined that someone like Tang Jihao would be suffering from such a thing.

    For a moment, he considered offering help, but then quickly dismissed the thought. What could he do? He had no knowledge of treating soul diseases, nor the resources to even begin trying. And getting involved with something like that¡ª it would be far too dangerous.

    "I guess that explains a lot," Chen Ren finally said, his voice more subdued. "Still, it¡¯s not my place to intervene. I wouldn¡¯t even know where to start. Helping Tang Yuqiu is enough. I¡¯ll leave that mess to those more qualified."

    Yalan gave him a sidelong glance, her whiskers twitching.

    Chen Ren nodded, but his mind couldn¡¯t help but linger on the thought. Tang Jihao, suffering in silence, put on a strong face while his very soul decayed¡ª it was a grim reminder of the world he had stepped into. Strength wasn¡¯t just about physical power or martial prowess; sometimes, the greatest battles were invisible to the naked eye.

    Still, he had other priorities, and getting too involved in the clan¡¯s affairs could only complicate things. He had his own plans, his own survival to worry about. With a final glance at Yalan, who now padded silently beside him, Chen Ren exhaled and pushed the thought from his mind.

    ***

    Under the vast expense of the sky, Cloud Mist City sprawled out like a hazy dream, nestled among the rolling clouds that drifted lazily through the air. A man stood on top of the biggest mountain in the area and from his position, he could instantly see how the city''s walls rose into the distance. The atmosphere was cool and thick, almost tangible as if the city itself were cradled by fog.

    His blue robe fluttered gently in the wind, worn and frayed at the edges. Dirt and bloodstains marked its once-flawless surface. His hair, as blue as the robes he wore, hung loosely down his back, swaying slightly with each gust of wind. The subtle gleam of the bracelet around his wrist caught the moonlight. He gazed down at the city, his sharp eyes taking in every detail as his heart tugged in anticipation.

    Finally, after a long moment of silence, he exhaled slowly. "So, this is Cloud Mist City." His voice was low, roughened by fatigue and resolve. "I''m finally here."

    He lifted his hand, brushing some dirt off his sleeve. "Are you sure we¡¯ll find what we¡¯re looking for here?"

    The wind swirled suddenly, carrying with it a presence¡ª faint at first, like a whisper on the edge of perception, but soon taking form. The air next to him rippled, and from the thin veil between the realms, a figure emerged. A ghostly silhouette, its shape resembling that of a demon, with twisted horns and sharp, red eyes. Its entire body flickered like a dying flame, both translucent and yet imposing.

    The ghost¡¯s voice was a rasping echo, barely louder than the wind. "Yes," it said with certainty, its glowing eyes narrowing. "But it won''t be easy to acquire. The object¡¯s aura is faint¡ª buried deep. It needs to be very close for me to sense its full nature."

    The man glanced sideways at the spectre, his lips curving into a grim smile. "That''s no problem," he said, his voice cold and unwavering. "I¡¯ll deal with whatever stands in my way. And if anyone tries to stop me..." His eyes narrowed even at the thought of someone trying to stop him. "I¡¯ll give them a show. A little blood tends to make an impression."

    The ghost chuckled, a dark, hollow sound that echoed in the wind. "You speak like a true disciple of mine. Blood may not solve everything, but it certainly smooths the path." The spectre''s form shifted slightly, growing more defined as it loomed closer. "I chose you for a reason. You¡¯re ruthless enough to survive this world and ambitious enough to carve your own path through it."

    The man clenched his fist, the bracelet around his wrist glowing faintly in response to his will. "Then let¡¯s not waste any more time. We know what we need to do."

    As the ghost faded back into the shadows, the man stood there a moment longer, his gaze locked on Cloud Mist City below. The mists churned, obscuring the streets and rooftops as if the city itself were hiding secrets deep within its embrace. His heartbeat quickened, not from fear but anticipation. Whatever awaited him in that city¡ªtreasures, enemies, or bloodshed¡ªhe would face it head-on.

    The wind picked up, carrying his words into the distance. "Whatever happens... this city won''t forget my name."

 Chapter 16: Haggling (Bonus Chapter)

    Although his plan had been perfectly laid out and set in his mind, even after speaking with Tang Jihao, one glaring problem clung to his side: Tang Yuqiu had vanished.

    Chen Ren had scoured the Tang Manor, and questioned every servant he could find, but all anyone knew was that she had left the manor. "Being outside" was about as useful as saying she was somewhere under the sky. The city was vast, and people disappeared easily into its winding streets, crowded districts, and hidden alcoves.

    He knew how people like Tang Yuqiu would act when they were troubled. Often, they¡¯d seek quiet corners where the noise of life would fade away, and the chaos in their mind could find some peace. The issue was that those places were rarely obvious, especially for someone like Tang Yuqiu who would be smart enough not to hide in plain sight.

    Maybe she had somewhere private where she found comfort, maybe it was a person¡ª but again, he doubted she had such close friends considering her nature. He also hadn''t seen her with anyone else other than her maid. But how would he know where to find her?

    With a sigh, Chen Ren set off, his steps light but his mind heavy.

    The city stretched before him like a puzzle, its roads teeming with life. He made his way through familiar streets, heading towards the upper district¡ª a more refined area beyond the bustling market. He had been here before, more than once, a wide landscape that offered a semblance of peace. Yet, even after combing the alleys and looking into the refined tea houses that someone like Tang Yuqiu would frequent, she was still nowhere to be found.

    His search felt endless, each corner revealing nothing but the familiar sights of merchants, shoppers, and city dwellers going about their day. The upper district may have offered more serenity, but it did not yield the answers he sought. Frustration clawed at him, his thoughts a jumble of worry and mild irritation.

    He had hoped to find her deep in thought somewhere, brooding in a corner, contemplating whatever troubles had sent her off in the first place.

    But it wasn¡¯t until he moved closer to the noodle stall, his last resort, that he spotted her¡ª Tang Yuqiu, seated casually, bowls of noodles scattered around her like trophies from some odd competition. She wasn¡¯t brooding, wasn¡¯t lost in thought. Instead, she was slurping noodles with the kind of focus that suggested she was thinking about absolutely nothing at all.

    A soft, bemused voice broke the silence of his thoughts. Yalan, his feline companion, muttered from his side, her amber eyes glinting with amusement.

    Chen Ren sighed, rubbing his forehead.

    ," the cat remarked with an air of superiority, tail flicking lazily

    Chen Ren shook his head, though a small smile tugged at his lips.

    Still, he felt a wave of relief wash over him. She was here, not lost or troubled in some hidden corner. Just here, surrounded by noodles and clearly coping in her own way. Now, it was just a matter of talking to her about what was in his mind.

    Chen Ren gave a subtle nod to Yalan, acknowledging the cat¡¯s dry wisdom, before setting his sights on Tang Yuqiu.

    In the middle of a small mess of empty bowls, her eyes were narrowed but drew a blank. She was slurping the last of her noodles as if they held the answers to all her problems. It was still early, just before lunch, so the line for the stall was small but growing, the quiet before the midday rush. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    He stepped closer, weaving through the sparse crowd with ease, and gave a polite nod to Yuqiu, who glanced up at him with the barest flicker of acknowledgement. Her brows knit together in annoyance, but she didn¡¯t make any move to stop him. ¡°I hope the noodles are satisfying your appetite,¡± he said, a soft humour lacing his words.

    Her eyes flicked up, cool and sharp. ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk to eavesdroppers,¡± she replied, her voice low and edged with irritation.

    Chen Ren sighed but met her gaze evenly. ¡°I wasn¡¯t trying to eavesdrop. Your father called me there. I just happen to have a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.¡±

    She studied him for a moment, her expression softening just a fraction. The scowl that was on her lips turned to a thin, straight line. ¡°I can see that,¡± she muttered, though the edge hadn¡¯t entirely left her voice. ¡°So, why are you bothering me now?¡± She swirled the noodles with her chopsticks and was playing with them as she waited for his response.

    Chen Ren moved closer, his tone shifting as he spoke with more purpose. ¡°I have a way to alleviate your worries.¡± He paused, letting his words settle. ¡°As I¡¯m living in your house, it¡¯s only right that I lend a hand.¡±

    She looked at him, scepticism written plainly on her face. She placed the chopsticks on the bowl, balancing them carefully before setting the bowl aside. ¡°How exactly can you help me?¡± She glared at him with a deadpan look on her face. Before he could respond, she laughed humorlessly¡ª a dry laugh through her nose. ¡°Don¡¯t joke, Chen Ren.¡±

    As soon as she said it, she picked up the bowl again and started slurping noodles.

    ¡°I¡¯m not joking.¡± His voice held a quiet confidence. He gestured to the stall behind him, to the small but growing crowd of customers waiting for their turn. ¡°The place where you¡¯re eating noodles right now¡ª I created it in mere weeks. No funding, just meagre savings. And now look at it.¡±

    Her eyes narrowed once again. ¡°Are you trying to brag?¡±

    He shook his head. ¡°No. I¡¯m offering a proposal.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu¡¯s eyes searched his face, trying to determine if he was serious or just playing some elaborate joke. There was no deceit in his gaze, only a calm certainty. ¡°A proposal?¡± she repeated, her voice less hostile now, but still guarded. ¡°What kind of business?¡±

    She placed the bowl back on the table, giving him her full attention at the sound of his seriousness.

    ¡°High-end products,¡± he said, his tone firm. ¡°Something refined, something that stands out.¡±

    She exhaled sharply, her doubt clear. ¡°That sounds expensive. If it fails, the losses would be huge. I can¡¯t afford that again¡ª I can¡¯t bear that kind of failure anymore.¡±

    Chen Ren leaned in slightly, his voice dropping as if sharing a secret only for her ears. ¡°You don¡¯t have to think negatively all the time. Failure isn¡¯t a certainty.¡±

    Her gaze wavered for a moment, but he pressed on. ¡°You tried to save a blacksmithing workshop for your father. You bought it and poured everything into it, hoping to turn it into something grand. Even though you¡¯re well-versed in the basics of business, you lack one thing: innovation. That¡¯s where I come in.¡±

    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    Tang Yuqiu¡¯s fingers curled around the edge of the table, her expression unreadable, but Chen Ren could see the faint flicker of doubt turning into interest. ¡°Innovation?¡± she echoed softly.

    He nodded, his gaze steady. ¡°I¡¯ll bring innovation. You bring the structure. Together, we can build something that doesn¡¯t just survive¡ªit thrives.¡±

    For the first time since they began talking, Tang Yuqiu looked at him not with suspicion or irritation but with something close to hope. But she wasn¡¯t ready to admit it yet. ¡°It sounds risky,¡± she said, her voice quieter now.

    ¡°All good things are,¡± Chen Ren replied with a faint smile. ¡°But this time, you won¡¯t be doing it alone.¡±

    It seemed as if she allowed herself to consider the possibilities for a brief moment, but soon her expression shifted to one that clearly conveyed the question: ¡°Have you lost your mind?¡± Her frown deepened as seconds passed, assessing him for any hint of deceit again, but after a long pause, she simply sighed, her shoulders drooping slightly. "If you¡¯re lying, I¡¯ll kick you out myself."

    Chen Ren chuckled.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have that authority. Your father does. And let¡¯s be honest, do you really think the regular guards would be able to get me out?¡± He folded his arms, voice lowering to a serious tone. ¡°But I¡¯m not lying. This business will help you regain your lost honour. We¡¯ll build something that¡¯ll take the city by storm. Only if you want to. If you don¡¯t, then¡­ Well.¡±

    He shrugged.

    She stared at him, her expression unreadable as she considered his words. ¡°Forty-sixty,¡± she said, at last, her voice steady. ¡°In my favour for the profits.¡±

    Chen Ren raised an eyebrow, a small smirk playing on his lips. ¡°Fifty-fifty,¡± he countered, unwavering. ¡°I¡¯m already doing you a favour by letting you in on the profits.¡±

    She snickered, the tension in her posture easing just a bit. ¡°I doubt you¡¯re going to put any money into this venture, and as for labour? I¡¯ll be the one doing most of it. Not to mention, I¡¯m putting my last bit of savings into this. The split should be in my favour.¡±

    He shook his head, his smile not faltering. ¡°None of it matters without my ideas and innovation. Without me, this is just another failed business in the making.¡±

    Chen Ren felt a pang of guilt settle in his chest. He was aware that the knowledge he held¡ª the ideas, the innovation¡ª weren¡¯t really his own. They came from Earth, from a world she knew nothing about. In a sense, he was taking advantage of her ignorance, using what he hadn¡¯t developed himself. But a little shamelessness could go a long way, and in this world, survival wasn¡¯t always about playing fair. Besides, if it meant helping her out of this mess and earning good money, he could live with it.

    The two of them leaned closer over the wooden table, their voices rising and falling like the tide as they haggled fiercely.

    Tang Yuqiu¡¯s eyes sparkled with determination as she pushed for a larger share, her tone sharp and confident. ¡°You can¡¯t expect me to invest my last savings without a fair cut. I¡¯m thinking at least fifty-forty in my favour.¡±

    Chen Ren crossed his arms, unyielding. ¡°That just sounds comical to me now. I¡¯ll agree to fifty-fifty, but only if you want this to work.¡±

    ¡°Fifty-fifty? That¡¯s not happening. You¡¯re not even putting in any capital,¡± she shot back, her frustration evident. ¡°I¡¯m the one risking everything here.¡±

    ¡°And without my ideas, there¡¯s nothing worth investing or risking in at all,¡± he countered, his voice steady. ¡°You need to recognize the value I bring to the table.¡±

    She rolled her eyes, a scoff escaping her lips. ¡°Please. Are you really valuing your ¡®grand ideas¡¯ that highly? They¡¯re just words without a proper plan. How about seventy-thirty? I need a cushion for my risks.¡±

    ¡°Seventy-thirty? Don¡¯t make me laugh! You just increased your profits after asking sixty.¡± Chen Ren shook his head, a smirk on his face. ¡°You¡¯ll scare away any potential investors with those demands. You really think anyone will join you at that rate?¡±

    ¡°If you want a partner, you¡¯ll have to meet me halfway. How about sixty-forty, then? That¡¯s still generous considering I¡¯m the one bringing in the capital.¡±

    ¡°Fifty-fifty. It¡¯s either that or no deal.¡±

    ¡°Fine,¡± she relented, with an exasperated huff. ¡°Fifty-fifty.¡± Her eyes gleamed with a mix of scepticism and expectation as she added, ¡°But the next discussion will be when you bring me this so-called high-end product. And make sure it actually impresses me.¡±

    With that, she stood, the bowls of noodles forgotten as she straightened her dress. ¡°Don¡¯t disappoint me, Chen Ren,¡± she said coolly before turning on her heel and walking off into the city streets.

    Chen Ren watched her go, rubbing the back of his head in thought. The deal was set, but now came the hard part: delivering on his promise. Getting the product was, without a doubt, the toughest challenge ahead.

    He sighed, running a hand through his hair. ¡°Now comes the real work,¡± he muttered, casting a glance at the noodle stall. Then, realisation struck him. ¡°Wait! She forgot to pay!¡±

    ***

    Once the discussion with the young miss was over, Chen Ren spent the rest of the afternoon working at the noodle stall. The hustle and bustle of serving bowls of noodles to the waiting line kept him busy, but his mind was far from settled. The deal he struck with Tang Yuqiu was the easy part¡ª making promises and talking up grand ideas.

    Sure, in his mind, he had a thousand concepts for high-end products, things that could revolutionise this city. He could picture them clearly¡ªluxurious cosmetics, high-quality fabrics, herbal tonics. But as the hours ticked by and the day dragged into late afternoon, he realised something that chilled him more than he expected: this world wasn¡¯t like his own.

    The herbs he needed, the specific plants, the animals¡ªnone of them were familiar to him here. The flora and fauna he relied on for his ideas were different and foreign. What use was knowledge from another world if the fundamental building blocks were all wrong?

    Chen Ren rubbed his temple, staring out at the thinning crowd of customers. He didn¡¯t even have a good grasp of what was available locally. Without the right resources, his ideas were nothing more than fantasies.

    He needed a solid foundation in the herbal and animal life around the city. But therein lay the problem: Chen Ren had no books related to that. He had never been interested in herbology or biology. His knowledge from his past life was limited to what modern industry could produce¡ª he didn¡¯t have the faintest clue how to identify rare herbs or unique ingredients in this world.

    And worse still, this city didn¡¯t seem to have a public library. He had asked around before¡ª hoping for a place where he could dig up some information¡ª but according to the servants, there was no such luxury here. Even Yalan, the cat, had been little help, though she had muttered some vague complaints about ¡®human knowledge being too scattered.¡¯

    When he¡¯d brought up the idea to Xiulan, she confirmed his suspicions. The local herbalists and doctors were fiercely protective of their knowledge, sharing only with their trusted apprentices. Trying to pry information out of them would take too much time¡ª something he barely had.

    Chen Ren sighed, leaning against the stall¡¯s counter. His options were growing slimmer by the minute. There had to be another way. And then, a flicker of memory hit him¡ª something from Chen Ren¡¯s life here, something he had almost forgotten about. He straightened up, eyes narrowing as a thought crystallised.

    There one place that might have what he needed. It wasn¡¯t a library, not in the traditional sense, but it was a place where books were plentiful. More importantly, it was a place where someone like him might just stumble upon the right book by sheer luck.

    His gaze turned resolute as he packed up the last of the stall¡¯s supplies, handing over the evening shift to Tang Xiulan. He didn¡¯t say much to her, just a brief nod before he turned and headed into the city, a singular thought guiding his steps.

    By the time Chen Ren arrived at his destination, the sun had dipped low in the sky, casting the streets in a soft orange glow.

    He found himself standing outside an unassuming tea shop, nestled between a pair of larger merchant buildings. To most, it looked like a simple, cosy place¡ª a retreat for the weary, where people sipped tea and escaped the noise of the marketplace. But Chen Ren knew better.

    He glanced at the faded sign swaying in the evening breeze. It was a tea shop, yes, but it was also something more: a place with a surprisingly large collection of novels.

    ¡°Stories for the idle,¡± Chen Ren muttered to himself. ¡°But maybe, just maybe, I might be able to find what I''m looking for here.¡±

    He walked forward, pushing the door open, the faint scent of tea leaves and old parchment greeting him. The air inside was warm and cosy, and the soft murmur of voices made it feel almost too peaceful for the task at hand. He spotted a few patrons lounging about, their noses buried in novels as they sipped their drinks.

    His eyes scanned the shelves lining the walls. There, amidst the countless works of fiction, he hoped to find what he was looking for. The herbal knowledge he needed, the key to unlocking the next step of his plan¡ª surely, among all these books, there had to be something useful. A book, a scrap of knowledge¡­

    Chen Ren strode inside, a small smile creeping across his face. "Time to see what this tea shop really has to offer."

    ***

    A/N - Next bonus chapter if we reach 3500 followers by 18 November.

 Chapter 17: Lusty snake and rising wood

    The tea shop was nothing out of the ordinary.

    The lanterns, already lit, cast a warm glow that mingled with the lingering scent of brewing tea, creating an inviting atmosphere. Despite the late hour, the place was still full of life, with customers ranging from wandering cultivators to weary travellers, each nursing a steaming cup and engaging in low, murmured conversations.

    Chen Ren stepped through the entrance, his eyes scanning the familiar space.

    It had been a haunt of his¡ª well, the previous Chen Ren''s. He would come here occasionally, trailing behind friends with the same lofty aspirations, searching for volumes on the lives of famous cultivators. Those old legends were filled with tales of extraordinary feats, profound enlightenment, and battles that shook mountains. That Chen Ren had been enchanted by such stories, trying to emulate the speech and mannerisms of those ancient heroes. Perhaps it was this obsession that had made him so haughty, looking down on mortals as if they were dust beneath his feet.

    Chen¡¯s lips twisted into a half-smile at the memory, but his expression soon shifted into one of mild curiosity as he glanced around. The tea stall hadn''t changed much; the scent of worn scrolls and ink mingled with the earthy aroma of the tea.

    Rows of shelves lined one side of the establishment, stacked with books and scrolls, each promising knowledge for those who sought it.

    Once a customer selected a book, they could choose to take a seat in one of the small cubicles¡ª cramped spaces enclosed within wooden walls, offering a modicum of privacy¡ª or sit at the open tables, reading amidst the buzz of conversation while sipping their tea.

    Chen Ren walked towards the shelves, his fingers brushing against the rough spines of the scrolls as he searched for something that might be of use.

    Most of the volumes were the same as he remembered: biographies of storied cultivators, legends of ancient sects, and tedious records of lineages.

    He even caught sight of a few of the more absurdly long titles¡ª works like ¡°The Celestial Sword that Cut Through the Humans and Heavens¡± or ¡°Heavenly Phoenix Rising from Ashes to Burn Everything into Ashes¡±. Yet, buried among these, there were some books whose names made his eyebrows twitch. Volumes like ¡°Lusty Snake and the Rising Wood¡± sat side by side with the more serious tomes, its title boldly displayed as if challenging anyone who dared to judge the content.

    Curiosity piqued, he reached for it. "Only for research purposes," he muttered to himself, cracking open the pages. As he skimmed through the lines, he found that it wasn''t the scandalous tale he expected.

    Instead, it detailed a bizarre story about a snake spirit that formed a bond with a tree beast, their journey through the wilderness, and their trials against various predators. The language, poetic and flowery described their struggle to survive and thrive amidst hostile terrain, and there wasn¡¯t a single racy detail to be found.

    He shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips as he placed the book back on the shelf.

    He continued to search, his eyes narrowing as he sought something more practical¡ª treatises on rare herbs, bestiaries that catalogued the creatures of the surrounding forests, anything that might give him an edge. But to his growing disappointment, nothing of the sort seemed to exist among the shelves.

    The tea house, with great reputation for its book collection, had nothing but fanciful, questionable stories and endless odes to long-dead cultivators.

    Frowning, his gaze drifted toward the small desk nestled in the corner of the tea stall, where an old woman sat.

    Her hair having lost its colour now streaked with silver, bound up in a loose bun atop her head. Her face was wrinkled and sun-kissed, but her eyes resembled one of a hawk. She cradled a clay cup in her hands, sipping tea slowly and occasionally moving her eyes around the shop.

    His memories told him that she was the owner of the place. Deciding that she might have more insight into his search, he approached the desk, offering a polite bow. His eyes went to the label on the table ¡ª Qing He, her name must be.

    ¡°Good evening, Senior Qing He. I¡¯m looking for a particular book if you¡¯d be so kind as to assist me.¡±

    Qing He looked up, one brow arching slightly, her eyes darting toward the shelves lining the walls. ¡°There are plenty of books around there, young one. Take your pick,¡± she said, her voice creaky.

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen the ones out there, but I can¡¯t find what I¡¯m looking for. Specifically, I¡¯m interested in herbs and beasts. A book that could give me detailed information on them.¡±

    Qing He leaned back in her chair, the wooden legs creaking under the shift of her weight. She set down her cup with a soft clink, peering at him over its rim. ¡°Herbs and beasts, you say? This place isn¡¯t a sect library, boy. You want those kinds of books, then join a sect.¡±

    He hesitated, then shook his head, meeting her gaze directly. ¡°I already tried. Failed the entrance exams.¡±

    A brief, almost pitying chuckle escaped the woman¡¯s lips. ¡°Not all sects are the grand, sky-reaching one''s. There are smaller ones, always looking for stray talents.¡±

    Chen Ren shook his head. ¡°Not interested. I just need access to knowledge. That¡¯s all. I''m even willing to pay more.¡±

    Qing He¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. She picked up her cup again, taking a slow sip before setting it back down. ¡°Then you¡¯re out of luck. There are no secret collections here, no hidden tomes. If what you want isn¡¯t on those shelves, you might as well leave. As for money, you can pay for my tea and books on those shelves. Nothing more than that.¡±

    Chen Ren let out a long sigh, nodding to himself as he considered her words. His mind briefly entertained the idea of using his status as a cultivator or perhaps invoking his recent association with the Tang Clan. But as he glanced back at Qing He, looking at the wrinkles around her eyes, he discarded that notion.

    Using his status here would be akin to acting like the previous Chen Ren, especially when he was just against an old woman. He needed a different method to get through her.

    ¡°Thank you anyway,¡± he said, bowing again before turning back to the shelves.

    After some searching, he pulled out a book titled ¡°The Immortal Travels of Lu Jie¡±. It was yet another biography of a cultivator and his turtle whose life had become the stuff of legend. Not the practical text he sought, but at least it might offer some inspiration.

    He settled down in one of the public seats, choosing a corner where the noise of the tea stall was muted and cracked open the book. As he began to read, a shadow loomed over him, and he glanced up to find Qing He standing beside him, a steaming cup of tea in her hands.

    ¡°Here,¡± she said gruffly, setting the cup down on the table beside him. ¡°Glad you found something to read.¡±

    Chen Ren blinked, surprised, before offering her a small, genuine smile. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    He reached into his pocket, pulling out a few coins and placing them on the table. She grabbed them without turning to leave. She didn¡¯t look back, but Chen Ren thought he saw the corners of her lips curl upward ever so slightly at the coins.

    He took a sip of the tea, savouring the warmth that spread through his chest, and let himself sink into the tales of Lu Jie, even as his mind continued to puzzle over the best way to find what he truly needed.

    His other hand turned the brittle pages of the biography. The dim glow of the lanterns cast shifting patterns on the floor, and the hum of conversation from the other patrons filled the air with a comforting background murmur. The tea was warm, smooth, and soothing, but his thoughts remained restless, circling back to Qing He behind the counter.

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    As he took another sip, a soft rustling reached his ears. A moment later, a familiar weight settled on the seat beside him, fur brushing against his arm. He glanced sideways and saw Yalan. The creature stretched leisurely, curling her tail around her paws, before it spoke through his mind.

    Yalan said, her gaze shifting toward Qing He who was now busy wiping down a dusty ledger.

    He raised an eyebrow, setting the book aside for a moment.

    Yalan nodded, the tip of her tail flicking lazily..¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze drifted back to Qing He. Her mannerisms were unhurried, almost mundane¡ª just a regular shopkeeper tending to her tea stall. Yet, there was a precision to the way she moved, a calmness that seemed just a bit too steady for an elder who had supposedly lived among average folks all her life. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    He tried to see through the veil of ordinariness she wore like a cloak, but there was nothing to give her away. Everything about her, from the faint lines around her eyes to the way she drank, seemed unremarkable.

    But he couldn¡¯t dismiss what Yalan had said. If she truly was a hidden master, then it explained the knowledge in her advice earlier¡ª her casual mention of joining a smaller sect.

    He had given her no direct clue that he was a cultivator when she suddenly mentioned the sect competition. Though, even mortals tried their luck in those sect competitions, hoping to secure a menial position within the sect¡¯s ranks. But she had spoken as if she knew he was a cultivator.

    He cast another glance her way, but she continued her work, her focus entirely on her task.

    Perhaps she had grown used to keeping her true nature hidden, blending into the background of this quiet corner of the world.

    From what he remembered, the tea stall had been around for over a decade, always present yet never standing out. And in all that time, she had never done anything to betray her strength¡ª never once let slip the aura that clung to true cultivators like a faint shadow.

    Chen Ren sipped his tea thoughtfully, a plan beginning to form in his mind. If she was indeed a hidden master, there was a chance¡ªhowever slim¡ª that she possessed the knowledge he sought, the books he needed. Ancient masters often kept hidden troves of information, things that would never find their way onto the dusty shelves of a public stall.

    He just needed to find the right opportunity to make himself useful, to earn her favour, to perhaps gain access to whatever secrets she might be guarding.

    Yalan¡¯s voice broke into his thoughts, her tone curious.

    Chen glanced down at Yalan, his lips curling into a faint smile.

    He took another slow sip, feeling the warmth seep into his chest.

    Yalan¡¯s tail twitched, her gaze shifting from Chen Ren to Qing He once more. ¡± But there was no reproach in her tone, only a hint of amusement.

    Whether it took a moment or a month, he would find a way to crack open whatever mystery the old grandma held.

    After all, in a world of secrets and shadows, the right connections could be more valuable than any rare herb or elusive beast. And if she was truly a master, then beneath that ordinary exterior, she held more than a few keys to the knowledge he sought.

    Time drifted by slowly in the tea stall, the minutes bleeding into one another as Chen Ren sat in his corner, pretending to be absorbed in the dusty old biography.

    His gaze, however, frequently drifted over the rim of his cup to Qing He at the counter.

    She continued with her routine¡ª refilling teapots, arranging cups, and occasionally greeting new customers with a weary nod. The steady pace of her movements betrayed nothing of the hidden strength Yalan had hinted at. But, even as he kept his eyes peeled, no opportunity presented itself.

    He watched as people came and went¡ª workers, merchants, and the occasional scholar, all entering with the prospect of a warm drink or a brief respite from the day''s troubles.

    Nothing of interest, nothing out of the ordinary. His second cup of tea turned cold. He ordered a third, and as the minutes stretched on, he began to wonder if he would spend the entire evening here without any progress.

    But just as the tea warmed his hands once more, the bells above the door chimed, announcing the arrival of a group of young women.

    Their attire marked them as scions of wealth¡ª draped in robes of fine silk, embroidered with different patterns of flowers and mythical creatures. Gold-threaded tassels hung from their sleeves, swaying with every playful step. Jade bangles clinked softly on their wrists, and their hairpins shimmered in the lantern light, each one showing off their families'' prosperity.

    Chen Ren''s interest piqued as they made their way to the reception. They gathered around Qing He, who set her teacup down with a soft clink, meeting their smiles with a polite but detached nod.

    ¡°Ah, Grandma Qing He, do you have any other books here?¡± one of the girls asked, her voice carrying the cultured tone of someone used to making requests.

    Qing He regarded her with a raised eyebrow.

    ¡°What kind are you looking for?¡±

    The girl gave a small sigh, adjusting the hem of her silken sleeve. ¡°Most of the books here seem to cater to children or men. We¡¯ve read through nearly all of the cultivation stories you have in stock. Isn¡¯t there anything... different? Something more to our taste?¡±

    Qing He¡¯s face remained impassive as she shook her head.

    ¡°This is all I have, miss. If you¡¯re looking for something different, I suggest you try the merchants next time they come through town.¡±

    The disappointment in the girls'' expressions was clear, but they could do little but exchange glances and mutter among themselves before turning away, their footsteps carrying them out of the tea stall in a trail of silk and perfume.

    Chen Ren watched their retreating figures thoughtfully, a plan forming in his mind. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for. With a quick breath, he downed the last of his tea and rose to his feet, striding toward Qing He with purpose.

    She looked up at his approach, her expression turning from mild curiosity to a familiar wariness. ¡°What do you want now?¡± she asked, voice flat.

    Chen Ren offered a polite smile, gesturing in the direction of the door where the girls had exited. ¡°Those young misses. Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re losing customers by not catering to them? If you had books they wanted, they¡¯d keep coming back, and they¡¯d spend plenty of silver doing it.¡±

    Qing He shrugged, picking up her teacup again as if the matter was already settled. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. I don¡¯t have any more books. And even if I wanted to get more, it¡¯s not easy. Merchants don¡¯t bring many these days, and the ones they do bring are mostly the same¡ª cultivation stories, tales for children, nothing more.¡±

    Chen Ren leaned in slightly, his tone gaining a touch of enthusiasm. ¡°What if I offered you a solution to that problem?¡±

    She eyed him sceptically, one brow arching as she set her cup down again. ¡°And what solution would that be?¡±

    He straightened, letting a bit of confidence slip into his voice. ¡°I could write a book¡ª one that would appeal to those girls. You have a lot of young misses visiting your shop, don¡¯t you? If you had a story that they actually wanted to read, it could bring in more business. They¡¯d come for the tea, stay for the book, and keep returning. Girls like them talk about everything to each other so I''m pretty sure your business will boom.¡±

    Qing He¡¯s scepticism only deepened, her lips curving into a dry smile. ¡°You don¡¯t look much like a writer to me.¡±

    Chen Ren chuckled softly, spreading his hands in a disarming gesture. ¡°Appearances can be deceiving, Senior. Just give me a chance. If I can do it, will you let me have a look at the herbal books?¡±

    She let out a short, humourless laugh. ¡°I already told you, I don¡¯t have any of those. What part of that did you not understand?¡±

    ¡°Maybe there are some in the back. It wouldn¡¯t hurt to take a look, would it? Just a small favour, if I manage to write something that brings more customers to your shop.¡±

    Qing He stared at him, her gaze as steady and unyielding as a mountain. For a moment, Chen Ren wondered if he had pushed too far, but he held his ground, his expression remaining calm and composed.

    Qing He let out a long sigh, her breath carrying the weariness of someone who had seen too many schemes and empty promises. She took her time, letting her gaze sweep over Chen Ren, measuring him up from head to toe. Her eyes, sharp and judgemental, flicked briefly to Yalan lingering a few paces behind him. After a moment¡¯s pause, she folded her arms and gave a small, almost reluctant nod.

    ¡°Sure.¡±

    ¡°If you can write up a good book that brings in more business, I¡¯ll search through what I have. But understand, there¡¯s no guarantee I¡¯ll find what you¡¯re looking for.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s face lit up with a hint of satisfaction. ¡°That¡¯s good enough for me,¡± he replied, his voice carrying a note of enthusiasm that hadn¡¯t been there before.

    Without waiting for her to change her mind, he turned on his heel, striding toward the door. If he hadn¡¯t controlled himself, he¡¯d be bouncing on his feet. But good thing, he was still sane. Yalan padded after him, her tail swishing lazily behind.

    As he left the tea shop, the air seemed cooler, and crisper¡ª or maybe it was just his mind.

 Chapter 18: Qing He

    Qing He¡¯s hand trembled slightly as she brought the teacup to her lips, savouring the warmth that seeped through the delicate porcelain. Her shop, filled with neatly stacked books and the faint scent of aged paper, was brightened by the sunlight pouring through the window.

    The gentle steam rising from the tea seemed to swirl in harmony with the rhythm of her thoughts, as if time itself had slowed to match her leisurely pace.

    Her gaze drifted to the window, where the city¡¯s chaos was visible. The laughter of children, the cries of merchants hawking their wares, the clattering of horse-drawn carts¡ª all the familiar sounds of a mortal city busy with its daily routine. She observed it as one might view the ripples on a distant lake, present yet removed, the mundane happenings of a world she had once left behind and had returned to.

    Time, she mused, moved so swiftly for mortals¡ª ten years, gone in a blink.

    In the world of the mundane, seasons changed, children grew, and elders passed on. But for her, a decade was no more than a brief interlude, a period where no great disturbances rocked the heavens or stirred the silent flow of her qi. There had been no furious rival sects to contend with, and no ancient blood feuds revived. Just quiet days, evenings filled with novels, and the simple pleasure of anonymity.

    She sipped her tea again, feeling the warmth trickle down her throat.

    Her lips curled slightly, a rare smile that creased her otherwise serene features. She thought of the grey-haired men who sometimes lingered near her stall, attempting to catch her eye with their clumsy charm. Oh, how they tried¡ª offering small gifts, their flattery almost amusing even in this age. She did not desire their company; they were as uninteresting as stones by the roadside. Yet, she relished the attention, that small acknowledgement of her existence and charm that hadn''t faded away even with wrinkles.

    After all, who among those who once sought to ascend to the heavens could resist a little admiration? Even the most aloof cultivators, draped in their robes of mystery, couldn¡¯t resist the allure of fame.

    That was why they competed in endless tournaments, displayed their prowess for the masses, and even paid bards to spin stories of their exploits. Half of the novels cluttering her shelves were ghostwritten by such cultivators, fainty disguised exaggerated accounts of their own lives.

    They claimed to be above mortal affairs, yet how many of them yearned for the reverence of those they dismissed as insignificant? The truth was, even the lofty required validation from the masses they deemed beneath them.

    She sighed contentedly, closing her eyes to bask in the warmth of her tea and her thoughts. ¡°A good life, a peaceful life,¡± she murmured to herself, savouring the words like a fine cup of tea. It was a mantra she had repeated so many times over these quiet years, almost convincing herself that it could last forever.

    But then, the door creaked open, slicing through the tranquillity of the moment. Her eyes snapped open, her gaze sharpening as she peered at the shadowed figure standing at the threshold. Qing He¡¯s brow furrowed, her grip tightening around the fragile cup, a small crack spreading through the porcelain.

    There he stood¡ª the uninvited guest, the one who could shatter this peace she had worked so hard to weave.

    He appeared unassuming enough, dressed in simple robes, his expression as neutral as a calm lake. Yet she could sense the faint, irregular hum of his dantian beneath his surface, like a flame flickering in a breeze. He wasn¡¯t much¡ª no prodigious talent, no aura of destiny swirling around him. A cultivator of middling rank, barely a foot into the path that defied heaven''s will.

    She narrowed her eyes, scrutinising the barely perceptible ripples of energy emanating from him. A third star body forging cultivator, perhaps, or fourth if she was generous. Nothing that should pose a danger to her.

    Her lips twisted into a thin line. The youth was no danger on his own¡ª just another hopeful soul chasing the promise of immortality, like so many others who had come before him.

    But then she saw it, lurking behind him¡ª a shadow moving with liquid grace. A sleek, pristine white cat, its fur slipped past the door frame, padding soundlessly into the room. The cat''s eyes gleamed with an unsettling intelligence, too bright and knowing for any ordinary beast. Qing He¡¯s heart tightened at the sight.

    That cat. A creature that did not belong in this mortal city.

    Qing He¡¯s gaze lingered on the spot where the white cat had last been seen, her pristine form slipping away with unnerving ease.

    A spirit beast¡ª she was sure of it. And not just any lowly creature that prowled the edges of town, but one with a strength that could hide itself even from her senses. At the very least, it was a peak foundation realm beast, possibly even at the elusive meridian expansion realm. She didn¡¯t like either option; beasts of such calibre didn¡¯t casually wander into mortal settlements like this, let alone follow around a cultivator of such modest talent.

    Yet, the most curious thing of all was the beast¡¯s behaviour. Instead of ruling over the weaker being, it followed him, acting like a pet, docile and obedient.

    She had seen the cat nestling against his legs, her eyes glinting with a peculiar amusement, almost as if she was playing a game Qing He couldn¡¯t quite decipher. And now, for the last two days, she hadn¡¯t seen the hide or hair of either the cat or the young cultivator. She had almost convinced herself that they¡¯d moved on, leaving her to her simple life once more.

    "So, it comes to this," she muttered under her breath, the tea cooling in her hand, her gaze never leaving the visitor who had just stepped into her quiet corner of her shop.

    He strode toward her, a bright smile on his face that was almost annoyingly cheerful.

    She straightened, letting out a slow breath to steady herself. ¡°Why are you here today?¡± she asked, her voice clipped as she peered over her cup of tea. ¡°Back for more books?¡±

    The young man shook his head, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. ¡°No, Senior Qing He. I¡¯m here to fulfil my end of the bargain.¡±

    She frowned, setting her teacup down with a faint clink. ¡°Oh?¡± Her tone held a trace of curiosity, but she kept her expression carefully neutral. ¡°So, you wrote a novel?¡±

    His grin widened, pride shining in his eyes. ¡°Yes. Enough to become a big hit with the young girls.¡±

    She chuckled dryly, the noise escaping through her nose. ¡°A big hit, is it?¡± She studied him for a moment, then reached out as he handed her a thin, bound volume. Qing He¡¯s hands brushed the rough pages, feeling the weight of the book and, perhaps, the weight of his ambitions. She squinted at the title and flipped open to the first page.

    ¡°Very well then,¡± she said with a touch of amusement in her voice. ¡°Let me read.¡±

    The young cultivator watched eagerly as she scanned the opening lines, leaning in slightly as if hoping to catch her first reaction. Qing sighed softly, her fingers tapping the edge of the book. she wondered.

    Her mind drifted back to the tales she¡¯d read over the decades¡ª stories of grand battles, tragic love, and ascension to heights no mortal could fathom. Surely, he would not grasp the depth that such stories required.

    Yet as her eyes traced over the words, a flicker of surprise crossed her face. Her reading slowed, and she glanced up at him, a wry smile tugging at her lips.

    ¡°¡®Liang Shan¡¯ and ¡®Hua Yun¡¯¡ª¡± she emphasised the names in a tone thick with the cadence of her region, rendering his words awkwardly, ¡°Who is this Sha Ke Per anyway that''s credited as the writer of the original?¡±

    The young cultivator¡¯s grin faltered slightly, but he regained his composure quickly, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. ¡°Shakspeare. It¡¯s an old tale from my place of birth,¡± he explained. ¡°I just adapted it to be about cultivators. The original story was about two mortal families who ruled a city, and their children... well, they fell in love despite their families¡¯ feud.¡± S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    She scoffed lightly, a note of disbelief creeping into her voice. ¡°Mortal families ruling a city? What nonsense. How could such a story capture anyone¡¯s interest? Mortals can barely keep a village in order, let alone a city.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just a story, Senior Qing He. It¡¯s not meant to be taken so seriously. And I made it different, you know¡ª added some of those ¡®forbidden techniques¡¯ and ¡®ancient bloodlines¡¯ that I saw around the books in your shop.¡± He smiled and his words held a hint of pride.

    Qing He¡¯s lips twitched, and she found herself not knowing whether to take him seriously or not. ¡°Hmm, we¡¯ll see if your little story has any depth to it. A tale of love and conflict, adapted to the realm of cultivators¡­ It''s not an easy thing to write.¡±

    She returned to the pages, immersing herself in the story of clashing clans, forbidden cultivation techniques, and tragic love. Yet even as she read, she kept one eye on the young man, observing the eagerness in his expression. He watched her reactions carefully, as if seeking validation¡ª not so different from those old men on the street, pining for a bit of her attention. And perhaps, in that small way, he was a true cultivator after all.

    Yet in the back of her mind, the shadow of that spirit beast lingered, reminding her that things were never as simple as they seemed.

    Qing He adjusted her glasses, the faint flickering of candlelight casting shadows over her face as she began to read the first page of the young cultivator''s manuscript. The story started with two rival guardian sects¡ª one, the Skyshroud Sect, known for their mastery of sword qi, and the other, the Verdant Stream Sect, masters of spirit arts. The protagonists, a young man from Skyshroud and a woman from Verdant Stream met under a red maple tree that grew on the boundary between their sects.

    Despite the tension between their factions, the two found themselves drawn to one another, their chance meetings turning into whispered conversations about the nature of cultivation, their dreams, and the harsh duties they bore for their respective sects. Qing He smirked as she read this part, recognizing the telltale signs of a budding romance, laced with the tension of forbidden encounters. It was the kind of tale that drew in young hearts, the thrill of love crossing boundaries.

    As she read further, the sect elders grew suspicious of their young disciples'' secret meetings. The lovers, caught between loyalty to their sects and their feelings for each other, decided to meet one last time under a legendary maple tree. The young cultivator wrote of a moonlit night, where spiritual energy shimmered around them, and the air was thick with unspoken words and regrets. He captured the scene well, she had to admit¡ª his prose managed to evoke the coldness of the night and the warmth of their last embrace.

    But, as such stories go, tragedy soon followed. The elders of the Skyshroud Sect struck first, unleashing a storm of sword qi that tore through the forest where the two met. Not to be outdone, the Verdant Stream elders retaliated with devastating spirit arts, turning the moonlit scene into a battlefield of clashing auras.

    The couple tried to escape the carnage, but their enemies would not relent. With a final, desperate use of forbidden techniques, they turned their power inward, choosing to end their own lives rather than let the sects tear them apart.

    As she reached the last lines, describing their hands clasped together, their qi fading like the last breath of the maple leaves around them, Qing He realised her tea had long grown cold. She set the manuscript down, feeling the heaviness, and bittersweetness of the story settle in her chest. Slowly, she raised her gaze to the young cultivator, who watched her with a hopeful, yet nervous, smile.

    ¡°This is actually pretty good,¡± she said, her voice tinged with reluctant admiration. She leaned back, fingers tapping on the armrest of her chair. ¡°How were you able to write something like this?¡±

    The young man¡¯s smile grew wider, though he maintained a humble air. ¡°It¡¯s an adaptation, like I said. I heard it as a tale rather than read it whole. Took some time to adapt it properly¡ª to make the dialogue flow and fit the immortal world, you know? But it turned out well.¡±

    She studied him for a moment, tapping her finger thoughtfully against the book. ¡°It might actually work. You should consider a career as a writer rather than a cultivator. I¡¯m sure many sects would be willing to sponsor someone who can weave stories like this. It¡¯s rare to find a talent like yours.¡±

    He chuckled softly, scratching the back of his head. ¡°I¡¯ll think about it. If my current path doesn¡¯t work out, maybe I¡¯ll take up your advice.¡± He paused, and then his expression turned serious as he shifted the topic. ¡°About the book... are you satisfied with the one that I wrote? Will you give me what I seek?¡±

    Qing He glanced at him, then back at the manuscript he¡¯d written. ¡°It¡¯s nicely done, even if I haven¡¯t had a chance to test whether the young girls would find it captivating. But the writing is solid, so I¡¯ll give you a chance.¡± She stood up, smoothing out her robes. ¡°Besides, I found a book that might interest you. Come with me.¡±

    She led him to a narrow stairway at the back of the tea shop, the wooden steps creaking softly beneath their feet. The white cat appeared again, slipping through the shadows to follow them, its eyes glinting with that same amused intelligence. The young man followed her, his curiosity piqued as they made their way to a small room, where a worn bookshelf stood against one wall, filled with ancient tomes.

    She motioned to a simple chair by a small table. ¡°Sit. And don¡¯t touch anything,¡± she warned, casting him a stern look before turning to search through the bookshelf.

    He sat obediently, watching as she thumbed through dusty scrolls and leather-bound volumes until she found what she was looking for. Carefully, she pulled out a thin, worn book and placed it in his hands.

    ¡°I think this one might be to your liking,¡± she said, her tone softer than before as if a hint of nostalgia touched her words. ¡°But remember, I don¡¯t give out my treasures lightly.¡±

    With that, she left him in the room, heading back down the creaking stairs. As she reached her desk again, she couldn¡¯t help but glance once more at the manuscript he had left behind. She traced a finger over the cover, considering the young man¡¯s story. It had been a while since a tale had stirred something in her¡ª something that made her want to read it again, to see if she had missed any layers beneath its simple telling.

    She settled back into her chair, opened the first page, and began reading once more, this time savouring each word and searching for the subtext that might lie hidden beneath the prose. Because she was sure, there was more to it than what was presented.

    And she always liked a good, calm challenge.

    ***

    In the comparatively dark back room, Chen Ren took a moment to survey the shelves, his eyes glinting with curiosity. It was clear that Qing He had more information tucked away than she let on. Ancient scrolls and old tomes, their spines cracked with age, filled every inch of the wooden shelves. He felt a twinge of excitement, knowing that this place held more than just dusty records¡ª it held secrets.

    He sat down at the small table and glanced at the book Qing He had handed him. Its cover was simple and unadorned, but the faded ink on the spine read by Wu Yanshi. He flipped open the first page, the scent of old parchment wafting up, mingling with the faint aroma of incense from the shop below.

    The book started with an introduction about the author, a wandering cultivator who had spent decades exploring remote regions, recording details about plants and creatures seldom seen in the more civilised parts of the realm. It was a rare find¡ª one that could easily be overlooked by someone less knowledgeable.

    As he read through the pages, Chen Ren skimmed past the sections on rare herbs that grew deep in spirit-infused mountains and hidden valleys, focusing instead on what could be found closer to the city.

    His goal was clear: herbs with pleasing fragrances. If he could find a plant that had properties to soothe the mind or to subtly ward off lesser spirit beasts, even better. And then there were the beasts themselves¡ª any parts that could be used for their alchemical properties would be a bonus.

    He paused at a passage about hoofprint fern, a rare plant known for its golden-veined leaves that glowed in the moonlight. It had calming properties, often used by cultivators to enhance meditation. But it thrived only near ancient, undisturbed lakes¡ª far from the bustling life of the city.

    Next, he found a description of violet dawnroot, a bright red herb with a subtle, citrusy scent. It was said to help focus the mind when burned as incense. It grew on the sunlit slopes of hills, needing space and elevation. He frowned¡ª while not impossible to acquire, it was not the convenient solution he sought.

    Flipping a few more pages, he found a section on spirit beasts, each profile painstakingly recorded with details of their habits and habitats. A sketch of a nightstalker lynx caught his eye¡ª a creature known for its shadow affinity and prized for its dark-furred pelt, which could be used in making concealment talismans. But it was far beyond his current strength, even if he did manage to track one down.

    He moved on, noting its properties but knowing it was out of reach.

    After a while, he stumbled upon a simple entry: silvermist blossom. The name didn¡¯t seem particularly grand, but the more he read, the more it piqued his interest. It was a humble herb, found near riverbanks, with delicate petals that shimmered faintly in the morning mist.

    The blossom emitted a gentle fragrance that was said to calm nerves and aid in sleep. But more than that, it had a subtle effect of repelling lesser spirit beasts and pests, making it valuable to protect those who worked with other, more temperamental herbs.

    This was the kind of plant he had been looking for¡ª something easy to find locally, with practical uses that could enhance the atmosphere of his quarters and keep unwanted pests at bay. He traced a finger over the illustration, imagining them blossom along the rivers that wound near the outskirts of the city.

    ***

    A/N - Thank you for the support. If you haven''t followed, please follow it. We are aiming for 4k RS.

 Chapter 19: Foresting

    Chen Ren hunched over a small desk in his room, the only light came from a half-melted candle. His brush moved swiftly, filling the scroll with characters that came to his mind. He paused, the tip hovering over the paper as he thought of the recent encounter with the old lady at the teahouse. A smile tugged at his lips, just barely there.

    The deal with her had been sort of a gamble of its own, but one that turned out better than he had expected.

    He had proposed writing a story, one of those romantic tales popular on Earth, but not just any tale¡ª one that could tug at heartstrings and spark a fluttering in the hearts of young women.

    There was a problem, though. He had never really read those kinds of books back in his world, just watched them in movies. So, he took the fragments he remembered, twisted them with his imagination and stuff he had read about cultivation, and poured them into the scrolls over the last two days.

    Writing here had come with its surprises. His thoughts, once sluggish when it came to putting words down on paper, now flowed like a river. Once he had finished the story, Once he finished the story, Qing He''s approval arrived quickly, allowing him to obtain the book on herbs and beasts he had been searching for.

    Yet, the true treasure wasn''t just in the book she''d given him. It was in the dusty, cluttered shelves he¡¯d glimpsed behind her, shelves filled with scrolls and tomes that looked far more valuable than mere stories. Cultivation manuals, techniques, and perhaps even secret arts lay within that room. If he played his cards right, he might get access to those secrets too.

    But those aspirations would have to wait. Chen Ren put the scroll aside, pushing thoughts of ancient techniques and hidden power from his mind for now and focusing on his task at hand, from where he was in his room.

    He forced himself to look at the notes he¡¯d made in his notebook.

    His first goal was much simpler: herbs.

    Since his noodle stall was working well, he had thought a lot on his second business idea and landed on a product that he would be able to earn a lot out of, especially with Tang Yuqiu¡ª fragrances, makeup and hygiene products.

    It was an idea born from a class he¡¯d taken back in his previous life when perfumes and their crafting had been little more than an idle curiosity. Yet now, that knowledge held the potential for a lot of profit.

    He picked up another sheet, dipping his brush once more as he began to scribble notes. Memories of perfume-making techniques surfaced, thoughts threading through the delicate process of creating a fragrance.

    He jotted down the key ideas that had lingered in his mind: the use of essential oils for heart notes, the balancing of top notes like citrus to create an immediate scent, and the heavier, lasting base notes¡ª musk, sandalwood, or even something rarer. It was a process that required patience, an art of blending nature¡¯s essence into a single, captivating aroma.

    Chen Ren¡¯s brush moved swiftly, laying out the steps for his perfume-making process as he included his earthly knowledge with the herbs he had read about.

    He wrote about selecting top, middle, and base notes that he thought would fit¡ª whispering lily for the initial burst, martha wood for depth, and silvermist bloom to anchor the blend.

    He detailed how to combine them, starting with a few drops of each in a small bottle, adding alcohol to carry the fragrance, and letting it rest for days to meld the scents. He noted the importance of testing the mixture on the skin, adjusting with more alcohol if too strong, and recording each variation to refine what he¡¯d have made¡ª

    A faint, high-pitched sound cut through his focus, like the creak of old wood or the whisper of an unseen presence.

    Chen Ren¡¯s hand stilled, his breath catching in his throat as his senses sharpened. His gaze darted around the murkily lit room, the tension coiling through his muscles like a spring.

    He slowly pushed back from the desk, his eyes scanning the corners, each shadow stretching longer than it should under the wavering candlelight.

    The silence hung heavy, every beat of his heart echoing in his ears. Then, he spotted the source of the sound¡ª a small, scraggly rat, scuttling along the edge of the room, its tiny claws scraping against the wooden floor.

    Chen Ren exhaled, a breath he hadn¡¯t realised he¡¯d been holding. He leaned back, feeling the tightness in his shoulders ease.

    The rat was a scrawny creature, its fur matted and rough, the pale light casting shadows over its twitching whiskers. It paused for a heartbeat, its tiny eyes glinting like dark beads in the candlelight as it met Chen Ren¡¯s gaze. A cornered look passed between them¡ª one of primal fear on the rat¡¯s part and a flash of something else, a sudden whim, in Chen Ren''s.

    He stood up slowly, the wooden chair creaking beneath him. His lips twisted into a grin.

    "I didn''t know I had rats in my room," he muttered, brushing a loose strand of hair behind his ear. Then, an idea took root, his grin widening. "Maybe I can try catching it... as a treat for that high-and-mighty cat." He chuckled under his breath at the thought and, without further hesitation, lunged toward the rat.

    But the rat, sensing the danger, moved at a godly speed. It darted between his legs, slipping past the edge of the desk, and scrambled over a stack of scrolls piled in the corner. Chen Ren, not to be outdone, dove after it, his fingers just brushing against the coarse fur before it wriggled free, leaping toward his bed.

    He nearly stumbled, catching himself on the bedpost as he shifted through the tight space of his room, his mind racing to keep up with the rat¡¯s frantic scurrying. He winced as his elbow knocked into a porcelain cup, sending it spinning across the desk before it wobbled back to a stop.

    He had to be careful¡ª one wrong move and he¡¯d leave a mess for Tang Xiulan to clean up, not to mention the damage to his already limited belongings.

    The rat seemed to sense the challenge, scampering with renewed speed, its tiny claws skittering over his notes, then darting under a small chest that held his writing supplies. Chen Ren huffed in frustration, quickly closing the distance, leaping to block its path. For a moment, they both froze¡ª Chen Ren, with his arm outstretched, and the rat, quivering in the corner.

    With a final quick motion, he managed to trap the creature beneath his hands, feeling it squirm against his palms. He grinned, ready to praise himself for the little victory, but then a voice from the doorway cut through his moment of triumph like a blade.

    "Whatyou doing, human?" It was a low, annoyed tone, carrying the unmistakable haughtiness of a creature who had seen far too many years to be amused by such antics.

    Chen Ren froze, turning slowly to see Yalan standing in the doorway, her amber eyes narrowed to slits, the tip of her tail twitching impatiently¡ª she regarded him with a disdainful look that could have made any mortal feel foolish.

    He raised his hands, displaying the wriggling rat with a sheepish grin. "I thought you might appreciate a fresh catch," he offered, trying to inject a bit of charm into his voice. "You know, a snack?"

    Yalan¡¯s glare sharpened, her whiskers twitching with irritation. "Do you think I would so low to eat such a filthy creature?" she replied, her voice dripping with scorn. She cast a disdainful glance at the rat. "Even a hungry stray would turn its nose up at such a pitiful offering. I have some standards, human. If you want to feed me, try something more... refined. I''d rather eat mud than a rat."

    Chen Ren flinched, his shoulders sagging as he sighed and released the rat, which immediately darted away, disappearing into a crack in the wall. He watched it vanish with exasperation and amusement, muttering under his breath, "Well, I tried my best for you, you know."

    Yalan, however, only smirked, a flash of amusement in her eyes that quickly turned serious. She flicked her tail toward the door. "If you truly wish to be useful, stop playing with vermin and start moving. We need to make our way to the forest and return before midnight. The window of opportunity is closing and we need to get on with your training."

    Chen Ren straightened, dusting off his hands as he eyed her warily. "What¡¯s this about, anyway? And what kind of training are we talking about?"

    Yalan turned her head. "You¡¯ll find out when we get there," she said. "Now, hurry up. The herbs we seek will not wait, and neither will your training."

    ***

    Chen Ren moved through the mist that curled around the city, his steps careful yet swift, Yalan walking silently at his side.

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    The lanterns that hung from the edges of rooftops did little to pierce the thick veil that blanketed everything in sight. The mist clung to him, cold and damp, and each breath drew in tendrils of vapour that seeped into his lungs.

    The city¡¯s boundary had always been like this at night. No matter how clear the day was, once the sun dipped below the horizon and everything turned dark, the fog rolled in, settling over the city like an ancient habit.

    Chen Ren had overheard countless theories about it since arriving¡ª rumours spun by merchants, old scholars, and idle cityfolks who enjoyed the mystery of it all.

    Some said it was the work of the sect master from the Soaring Sword Sect, his power so great that he could summon an array to ward off beasts from the nearby forest, keeping them from straying too close to the city¡¯s walls. Others believed it was the result of a natural formation, a confluence of spiritual energies that gathered each night, creating a fog that acted as a barrier.

    Then there were the more mundane explanations¡ª tales of strange plants that grew along the city''s borders, exhaling mist as they absorbed the moon¡¯s light, or ancient streams hidden beneath the earth, releasing the vapour into the cool night air. Whatever the cause, the fog had been a fixture of the city for centuries, an unchanging fact of life that everyone learned to accept.

    Chen Ren, however, had little interest in deciphering its origins. It served its purpose tonight, helping to mask his movements as he and Yalan slipped through the twisting paths that led to the city¡¯s edge.

    The mist muffled the sounds of their footsteps, and he moved like a fox, covering a large distance in a matter of minutes, again thankful for the fact that he had been transmigrated as a cultivator.

    As they approached the outer gates, the outline of two guards materialised through the fog, their figures indistinct but solid against the shifting veil of mist.

    Their armour clinked softly as they turned, their expressions obscured beneath helmets that reflected the faint glow of nearby lanterns. But when Chen Ren revealed the faint glimmer of his cultivation aura, they barely gave him a second glance.

    One of them, an older man with a streak of silver in his beard, grunted a curt acknowledgement and bowed slightly before waving him through without so much as a question.

    Since the city had cultivators, guards seemed to let them be and not interfere. He was sure that he wasn''t the only one who had thought of training in the nearby forest.

    Chen Ren slipped past the gate with a nod, feeling the slight tension in his shoulders ease. He had grown used to this reaction from most guards¡ª he had discovered that most common folk treated cultivators with a blend of awe and wariness. It was a small advantage, but one he¡¯d learned to use well.

    The mist beyond the gate was thicker still. He could barely see through the thick fog.

    But he knew that the forest should be in the distance. Chen Ren¡¯s breath formed soft clouds before him, mingling with the drifting vapour as he trudged forward, Yalan moving with unerring grace beside him.

    "Keep up," Yalan said, her voice a low murmur that barely disturbed the quiet. ¡°We don¡¯t have time to waste. If we delay too long, we¡¯ll miss our chance." Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Chen Ren gritted his teeth, adjusting his stride to match her pace. The mist wrapped around them, swallowing the city behind and leaving only the path ahead.

    He moved deeper into the forest, the shadows shifting around him as the mist thinned, replaced by the looming silhouettes of ancient trees. He had initially planned to gather the herbs in the morning when the sun would illuminate the undergrowth, making the search easier. But Yalan had insisted on venturing out at night, her reasoning delivered with her usual disdainful tone.

    According to her, training under the moon¡¯s glow would force him to adapt to the challenges of nighttime. Nocturnal beasts often come out during this hour and if he was going to learn how to deal with cultivation shenanigans, it was important to fight them.

    ¡°Nocturnal beasts have their dangers,¡± she had said, her tail swishing with a faint hiss through the air. ¡°Many of them become stronger under the moon''s lunar qi, their instincts sharper. It¡¯s the perfect time for training. Besides, no one will be around to interrupt us.¡±

    Chen Ren had reluctantly agreed, knowing that she had a point. Moreover, nighttime brought out not only predators that moved with deadly grace, but also certain plants to bloom¡ª herbs that hid their true qualities during the day, their petals and leaves only unfurling in the moonlight to release their potent essence.

    He had a few of such herbs in his list and if he wanted to make a perfume that could truly captivate people, he needed to gather them.

    The forest was alive with soft rustlings and distant calls, sounds that threaded through the quiet like a constant, murmuring breath.

    He moved carefully over the uneven ground, the notes he had scrawled earlier clutched behind him in a bag. The mist lingered here, draped low over the ground, obscuring the roots and rocks that threatened to trip him with every step.

    His eyes moved between the shadows, scanning the undergrowth for any sign of the herbs he sought

    After what felt like hours of searching, he spotted the faint glimmer of moonlight reflecting off a cluster of leaves, their edges lined with a pale, silver sheen. He crouched down, brushing aside the underbrush to reveal a low-growing plant, its buds glowing faintly in the dark.

    "Martha wood," he muttered to himself, recognizing the herb from his notes. It was known for its fragrant oil and smelled like lavender, a key ingredient that could add a lingering, mysterious scent to his perfume.

    Carefully, he plucked the leaves, mindful not to damage the delicate roots that held the plant to the soil. He tucked them into a small pouch, his fingers working with the precision of someone who had done this before, albeit in a different world.

    He straightened up, his gaze sweeping the shadows again, his ears straining for any signs of movement.

    With Yalan by his side, Chen Ren didn¡¯t feel the same sense of dread he might have if he were alone.

    She rarely showed it, but he could sense her power, a quiet, coiled strength beneath her haughty demeanour. If something truly dangerous emerged, he knew she could handle it. It allowed him to focus on his task without constantly looking over his shoulder, without that creeping fear that something might be stalking him through the darkness.

    He found another herb tucked near the base of a twisted tree, its flowers closed like tiny fists, waiting for the moonlight to coax them open. This one, a whispering lily, was known for its faint, almost ethereal scent that could lend a subtle layer to his creation. He gently harvested the blossoms, placing them next to the other leaves in his pouch.

    Satisfied with his progress, he started toward a small riverbank nestled deeper in the woods. He simply followed the waters, trying to find what he needed: silvermist bloom.

    But before he could move further he felt Yalan suddenly halt in her tracks. Her ears twitched and she fixed her gaze toward a dark cluster of trees beyond the lake''s edge.

    ¡°It seems like you might finally encounter a beast worthy of my taste,¡± she remarked, her voice cutting through the quiet like a blade.

    Chen Ren stopped, turning to face her. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± he asked, his brows furrowing as he tried to peer through the shadows.

    ¡°A beast is nearby,¡± Yalan replied, a hint of amusement in her tone. ¡°A Tier 1 creature, nothing you should fear. But it¡¯s enough for some practice. You need to fight it.¡±

    He stiffened, glancing toward the darkness where Yalan''s eyes were fixed. His pulse quickened a mixture of nervousness and reluctant excitement stirring in his chest.

    ¡°Are you sure I can fight it? I don''t think I told you before, but the only beast I fought in my world was a small swarm of mosquitoes,¡± he admitted, feeling the weight of his unease settle over him. ¡°Also, I only know one fist technique, and even that isn¡¯t very polished.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just a Tier 1 beast. If things go poorly, I¡¯ll pull you out before you get hurt,¡± she replied, the confidence in her tone leaving little room for argument.

    Chen Ren swallowed, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him.

    He knew that if he wanted to survive in this world, he had to confront this fear sooner or later. The structure of this world, built on the strength of cultivators and the endless struggle against beasts and rivals, demanded courage. Better to start with a small step under the watchful eye of his unusual mentor than to be caught unprepared when real danger came knocking.

    ¡°Alright,¡± he said slowly, nodding as if to reassure himself. ¡°Let¡¯s do this.¡± He clenched his fists, feeling a tingling in his core as he tried to steady his breathing, and began to move forward.

    They moved deeper into the forest until the trees began to thin, following the shimmering surface of the river. The mist had settled low here, hugging the ground and drifting like ghostly veils over the water¡¯s edge. But what drew Chen Ren¡¯s attention wasn¡¯t the serene view¡ª it was the grisly scene unfolding just a few steps from the shore.

    Near a cluster of gnarled roots that twisted into the water, a creature crouched, tearing into the carcass of a normal deer with savage hunger.

    It resembled a rat and was nearly as large as a wild boar, its matted, bristling fur slick with dark stains of fresh blood. Its long, crooked teeth gleamed in the moonlight as it dug into the flesh, muscles rippling beneath its coarse hide with every vicious bite. Tufts of fur were missing in places, revealing patches of rough, scarred skin, as if it had survived countless brawls in its time.

    Its eyes, small and beady, glowed with a faint red light, casting an eerie reflection on the bloodied ground around it. Even crouched over its meal, the creature exuded a wild, untamed ferocity, the scent of blood mingling with the damp air, sharp enough to make Chen Ren wrinkle his nose.

    The deer lay limp beneath the monstrous rat''s claws, its legs bent at unnatural angles, neck twisted and broken.

    Chen Ren swallowed hard, his breath catching as he tried to keep his voice steady. ¡°This... This thing is really Tier 1?¡± he asked, his gaze flicking nervously from the rat beast to Yalan. ¡°It looks tough.¡±

    Yalan, perched on a nearby rock with a bored expression, simply flicked her tail and gave him a sidelong glance. ¡°It¡¯s nothing you can¡¯t handle,¡± she replied, a hint of a challenge in her tone. ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡±

    But Chen Ren couldn¡¯t quite quell the nerves that tightened in his chest as he took in the rat beast¡¯s powerful limbs and the sharp, glinting claws that dug into the deer''s flesh. Compared to the small rat he had fought, this one looked more like a predator than prey.

    He took a deep breath, steeling himself before stepping forward, feeling the cool air hitting his face.

    The rat beast¡¯s ears twitched, and it jerked its head up, crimson eyes locking onto Chen Ren.

    Its mouth hung open, revealing rows of sharp, crooked teeth stained with the remnants of its meal. They stared at each other, the air thick with the tension of the encounter. The creature¡¯s nostrils flared as it took in his scent, and for a heartbeat, everything was still¡ª just the faint rustle of leaves and the quiet lap of water against the shore.

    Then, with a guttural snarl that seemed to rattle the very trees, the rat beast lunged. It moved with a speed that belied its bulky frame, a blur of matted fur and flashing claws.

    Chen Ren¡¯s breath hitched, and his feet seemed to root themselves to the spot as he watched the mass of muscle and fangs hurtling toward him, his mind going blank with the sudden rush of terror.

    The ground seemed to shake beneath the creature¡¯s charge, and all Chen Ren could do was brace himself as every cell of his body came alive with the sound of snapping branches and the beast¡¯s roar that almost deafened him.

 Chapter 20: Spicy herbs

    The air seemed to thicken as the rat beast charged, its claws scrabbling across the rocky ground. Chen Ren''s muscles tensed, his mind blanked for a split second, time stretching unnaturally. Fear prickled at the edge of his thoughts, locking him in place. He could almost hear the rhythmic pounding of his own heartbeat as he froze, watching the beast bear down on him. But then, a stray thought broke through the haze¡ª .

    Electricity crackled around his fists as he snapped out of his stupor, and with a forceful exhale, he drew upon the power of the [Thundering Fist] a technique he''d drilled countless times.

    His right arm whipped forward, muscles straining, and his fist collided with the rat''s bony shoulder. A shockwave of energy burst from the impact, throwing the rat several feet backward, its body skidding across the dirt.

    Chen Ren¡¯s breath came in sharp gasps, and he glanced down at his fist, still tingling with residual energy. Surprise lit up his face. But before he could dwell on the thought, a sharp voice cut through his reverie.

    "Focus! The bloodsnout isn''t finished yet." It was Yalan¡¯s voice, stern as always, her amber eyes locked on the struggling beast.

    His gaze snapped back to the rat, just in time to see it push itself up from the ground, its bloodshot eyes fixed on him. It let out a high-pitched screech that echoed through the trees, its rage palpable. Without a moment''s hesitation, it charged at him again, the ground trembling beneath its heavy footfalls.  S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Chen Ren felt the rush of panic claw at him but forced it down, inhaling deeply. He clenched his fists, letting the lightning pool around his legs. The air around his calves crackled, and in the blink of an eye, he moved¡ª his body disappearing just as the rat''s claws slashed through the empty space where he had stood.

    Chen Ren reappeared several paces away, lightning still crackling around his legs. This was [Lightning Step] a movement technique that he had practised in the back alleys of the city, a technique that channelled lightning through the body, making him as quick as a lightning flash.

    The previous Chen Ren used it often. Hence, despite his lack of practice, his body seemed to remember the rhythm of it, every muscle attuned to the technique''s flow.

    He dashed to the side, blurring into motion, leaving arcs of electricity trailing behind him.

    The bloodsnout¡¯s claws slashed at him again and again, but each time, they met only the empty air. With every dodge, Chen Ren countered with a strike, his fists slamming into the rat''s body, the impact ringing through the forest like distant thunder.

    Yet, even as his attacks connected, a sinking realisation grew in his mind. Each punch drove the rat back, but its tough, bristly hide absorbed the brunt of his blows. Bruises formed beneath its fur, but the beast barely slowed, its rage driving it forward through the pain.

    Chen Ren risked a glance towards Yalan, his unspoken plea for guidance clear in his eyes. But she simply watched from the shadows, her expression unreadable. She shook her head, a silent message:

    His thoughts swirled as he ducked under another wild swipe from the rat.

    The [Thundering Fist] technique was supposed to be a powerful, decisive blow¡ª one that could shatter bones and rend flesh. Yet, his attacks barely seemed to scratch the surface of the bloodsnout¡¯s defences.

    He could move swiftly with [Lightning Step], weaving through its attacks like a dancer amidst a storm, but speed alone wasn¡¯t enough.

    Another exchange, and this time, he could feel the strain in his muscles, the growing fatigue of maintaining the lightning coursing through his legs.

    He gritted his teeth, pushing through the exhaustion.

    A [Thundering Fist] should be devastating, not just pushing a beast back.The realisation stung. He was failing to channel the true essence of the technique, unable to draw out the full power that should have existed behind each strike.

    His movements slowed, and the rat sensed it, lunging with renewed ferocity. And as its claws grazed his cheek, drawing a thin line of blood, Chen Ren¡¯s mind sharpened.

    He could feel the raw energy flickering within him, untapped and wild.

    Chen Ren¡¯s mind raced, recalling the manuals he had painstakingly studied.

    [Thundering Fist] wasn¡¯t just about brute force. It was about control, about channelling the energy with precision, not letting it scatter wildly around his fists. Until now, he had merely been releasing bursts of electricity with each punch, the power dispersing before it could pierce through the target.

    The realisation hit him like a jolt of his own technique..

    As the thought crystallised, he looked up to find the bloodsnout charging at him again, its bloodied eyes gleaming with fury that could¡¯ve killed Chen Ren if it had power. But this time, he was ready.

    He sidestepped the creature¡¯s lunge with the speed of his [Lightning Step], the world blurring for a split second as he vanished from its path. With a surge of energy, he propelled himself upward, leaping over the rat¡¯s gnashing teeth and clawed limbs. Twisting mid-air, he turned to face its exposed back, gathering the lightning into his palm.

    With a deep breath, he let the energy concentrate, feeling the charge intensify until his entire arm buzzed with barely-contained power. The air around his hand crackled, the sound like a rumbling thunderstorm.

    ¡°[Thundering Fist]!¡± He thrust his hand forward, releasing the technique in a blinding flash of blue and golden light.

    Electricity arced out, a condensed, crackling bolt that struck the bloodsnout directly in the back.

    A sharp, sizzling noise filled the air as the lightning surged through the beast¡¯s body, its muscles seizing violently. Then, with a sickening sound, a portion of its chest exploded outward in a spray of flesh and blood. The rat¡¯s shriek was cut short as its body crumpled to the ground, twitching before finally lying still.

    Chen Ren landed lightly, his feet crunching on the wet ground.

    He stared at his hands, electricity still sparking faintly from his fingers. Awe flickered in his eyes, but when he looked down and saw the blood and gore splattered on his palms and staining the edges of his robes, a wave of nausea hit him like a punch to the gut. He stumbled back, swallowing hard, and turned toward the nearby lake.

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    Kneeling at the water¡¯s edge, he plunged his hands into the cold, clear water, scrubbing away the sticky remains with frantic motions. His stomach twisted, the taste of bile rising in his throat. He focused on the sensation of the water, trying to drown out the memory of the flesh peeling off under his attack.

    Yalan approached him, her steps soundless on the forest floor. She sat down gracefully by the lake, watching him, her eyes were squinted in amusement as she licked her paw. ¡°I¡¯d rate that a four out of ten.¡±

    Chen Ren paused, water dripping from his fingers. ¡°Four out of ten? Seriously? Why so low?¡± He shot her an incredulous look, half expecting some sort of praise.

    Yalan flicked her tail, her expression unchanging. ¡°You took too long to figure out the proper way to use the technique. A lowly beast like that shouldn¡¯t have been able to push you so far. And then you nearly vomited at the sight of a bit of gore¡ª how will you handle tougher beasts? Not to mention, you ruined the carcass. A blast like that makes it nearly inedible.¡±

    Chen Ren blinked, turning to look at the mutilated rat¡¯s corpse lying by the water¡¯s edge. A shiver ran down his spine at the thought of eating something so grotesque. He glanced back at her, his expression incredulous. ¡°You would eat that... thing?¡±

    Yalan gave him a small, enigmatic smile. ¡°Of course. If you cook it, that is. Beast meat is often more nourishing than that of regular animals. And despite their unsavoury appearance, these bloodsnouts live in the caves near lakes. They keep themselves clean in the waters.¡±

    Chen Ren took another look at the bloody mess that was once the rat, its twisted body and vacant eyes staring into nothingness. He shuddered, the idea of roasting it turning his stomach once more. ¡°I... think I¡¯ll pass,¡± he muttered, stepping away from the remains as if they might spring back to life.

    Yalan only chuckled, her tail flicking in amusement. ¡°Suit yourself. But remember, next time, aim for the head¡ª it makes for a cleaner kill.¡±

    Chen Ren wiped the last of the blood from his hands and stood up, casting one more wary glance at the rat¡¯s mutilated corpse.

    With a deep breath, he turned his focus to the task that had originally brought him into the forest¡ª gathering herbs. The moonlight filtered through the trees, illuminating the silver-green leaves of a plant he recognized. Its flowers had a faint blue hue, and as he reached down to pluck a few, he brought one to his nose, inhaling its soft, earthy scent.

    The fragrance was subtle yet refreshing, carrying a hint of sweetness. He found himself smiling, thinking, It was a strange thought amidst the chaos of battle, but he¡¯d always been intrigued by the simple things.

    He tucked the herb carefully into his satchel, stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders. The tension of the fight melted away, replaced by a sense of relief.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s that. Job¡¯s done for today,¡± he muttered, stretching his limbs.

    As he turned to head back, Yalan¡¯s voice cut through the night air. ¡°And what about those spicy herbs you were talking about back at the tea stall?¡± She glanced at him with a raised brow, her eyes glinting with curiosity.

    Chen Ren paused, then snapped his fingers as if just remembering. ¡°Oh, those aren¡¯t for perfume. I wanted to get those herbs to experiment with... try turning them into a sauce.¡±

    Yalan tilted her head, a curious expression crossing her feline face. ¡°A sauce?¡± she echoed, as if tasting the unfamiliar word on her tongue.

    Chen Ren nodded eagerly, a hint of excitement creeping into his voice. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s something you pour over food¡ª like noodles¡ª to give it more flavour. I think if I get the right balance of spice and seasoning, it could really take off. It might even be a hit in the city.¡±

    Yalan¡¯s eyes narrowed as she considered his words. ¡°Spicy herbs? Those are usually burned around campsites to ward off beasts. I¡¯m not sure how much of their heat humans can actually tolerate.¡± She spoke matter-of-factly, her tail twitching as she gauged his reaction.

    Chen Ren laughed, shrugging lightly. ¡°That¡¯s why I need to experiment! Find the right blend, you know? But I haven¡¯t seen any of those herbs near the lake.¡± He glanced toward the deeper, shadowy parts of the forest. ¡°According to what I¡¯ve read, they grow deeper in, near a cliffside. I¡¯ve also heard that stronger beasts roam around there, which... well, might be a problem. But I don¡¯t want to travel further tonight. I¡¯m tired, and it¡¯s been a long day.¡±

    Yalan arched her back, stretching gracefully as she looked up at him with a knowing smile. ¡°So, you want to keep up with your training then?¡± Her tone held a playful challenge.

    Chen Ren glanced down at his fists, still tingling faintly with the lingering sensation of power coursing through them. He met Yalan¡¯s gaze and nodded slowly, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. ¡°Yeah, I do. As gross as that fight was... it was fun too. There¡¯s a thrill in using my techniques, testing my limits. It¡¯s one thing to have power, but using it is a whole different matter. In the city, I can barely let loose.¡±

    Yalan¡¯s smirk widened, and she padded closer, her tail swaying behind her like a pendulum. ¡°Good. Then I¡¯ll make sure to train you well. I wouldn¡¯t want my student to embarrass me by struggling with a mere rat beast again.¡±

    Chen Ren rolled his eyes, but a hint of warmth seeped into his expression. ¡°Sure, sure. Just don¡¯t push me too hard, or I might end up needing those herbs to treat my wounds instead of using it for cooking.¡±

    Yalan¡¯s laughter echoed softly through the forest, a surprisingly melodious sound. ¡°Rest for now, then. But don¡¯t think you¡¯ll be slacking off next time we¡¯re out here.¡± With that, she turned and slinked away, disappearing into the shadows between the trees.

    He knew she wasn''t going too far away, too used to having an eye on him always.

    Chen Ren exhaled, his smile fading into a thoughtful expression as he glanced deeper into the forest where the spicy herbs¡ª and greater challenges¡ª awaited. He¡¯d have to face those soon enough, but tonight, he let the tension melt from his shoulders, savouring the cool night air.

    ***

    Tang Yuqiu sat at the large mahogany table in her room, her fingers tapping impatiently against the wood. Before her lay an open book of accounts, its pages filled with neat columns of numbers and records. She stared at them, but the content seemed to blur together, refusing to hold her attention.

    With a frustrated sigh, she pushed the book away slightly. Lately, it seemed she couldn¡¯t concentrate on anything¡ª her mind was too restless, too caught up in something else.

    It wasn¡¯t just business, either. Meals felt tasteless, and even the simplest pleasures like the morning walk through the garden held little appeal. Just a few days ago, her closest friend had invited her to a cosy tea stall where a popular novel was being recited. It was the kind of thing she would usually enjoy, but she had turned her down without a second thought.

    Because Chen Ren had promised her something.

    A new product he¡¯d spoken of with such conviction, insisting it would work wonders and become a sensation. But what was it, exactly? How was it supposed to work? He had never elaborated, and she hadn¡¯t thought to ask at the time, thinking he¡¯d reveal it soon enough.

    Now, that curiosity had become a constant itch, gnawing at the edges of her thoughts.

    Her fingers stilled their tapping, and she muttered under her breath, ¡°Is he not going to show up at all?¡± Frustration tightened in her chest, and she pressed a hand against her forehead, her brow furrowing deeply. The idea brought a bitter satisfaction, but beneath it, an unfamiliar twinge of disappointment. She hated feeling like she was waiting on someone¡ª especially Chen Ren of all people.

    As she was caught up in her thoughts, a sudden knock at the door startled her. She straightened, smoothing her robes as her maid poked her head in.

    ¡°Miss Yuqiu, Young master Chen Ren is here to see you.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°Send him in, quickly!¡±

    The maid nodded and withdrew, leaving the door ajar. A moment later, Chen Ren stepped into the room, his expression relaxed. At his hip, a small pouch was tied securely, its contents hidden but somehow intriguing. Tang Yuqiu¡¯s gaze immediately locked onto the pouch before flicking back to Chen Ren¡¯s face.

    ¡°So, are you here with the product you promised?¡± she demanded, a hint of sharpness in her tone that masked the curiosity bubbling beneath.

    Chen Ren smirked slightly and gave her a nod. ¡°Obviously. I wouldn¡¯t break a promise, would I?¡±

    His tone was casual, but there was a glint in his eyes that made her heart skip a beat.

    Tang Yuqiu leaned forward slightly, her impatience returning tenfold. she thought, trying to keep the eagerness from showing on her face.

 Chapter 21: Refining and extracting

    ¡°Have a seat.¡± Tang Yuqiu motioned him to sit.

    Chen Ren settled into the seat across from her, his expression calm, though his mind raced beneath the surface. He studied her quietly, noting the wariness in her eyes as she glanced his way¡ª suspicion and impatience mixed into her gaze.

    She was a woman with a strong but steel will, and her presence carried a sense of authority that even experienced merchants would tread carefully around. But Chen Ren knew she needed him, and a sharp look wouldn¡¯t deter him.

    After a moment, he spoke with a deliberate casualness, leaning back slightly in his chair. "I''m sitting here, yet you didn¡¯t even have your maid bring tea for me. Aren¡¯t you concerned for your guest''s comfort, young miss?"

    Yuqiu''s lips curled into a wry smile but didn¡¯t reach her eyes. "You¡¯ve already had more than your fill of free tea, Chen Ren. Why should I offer more?"

    Chen Ren¡¯s expression soured at the comment, a faint frown crossing his brow. He straightened, meeting her gaze head-on. "Honestly, what is your problem with me?" sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    The teasing light vanished from her face as she fixed him with a glare that could cut sharper than any blade. "You really don¡¯t remember, do you?"

    The question hung in the air, and Chen Ren felt extremely uneasy. He drew in a deep breath, letting the moment stretch as he gathered his thoughts, reflecting on the burden left by the actions of the man whose body he now inhabited.

    he thought, a rueful pang twisting through him. He had inherited not just this life, but all the regrets and mistakes that came with it.

    He lowered his head slightly, a gesture of contrition. "I¡¯m sorry," he said, his voice steady but subdued. "I¡¯m sorry for trying to take advantage of you while I was drunk. I know that¡¯s not an excuse, and I shouldn¡¯t have acted that way, even if I wasn¡¯t in my right mind. But I am not the same man anymore. I would never do something like that again. All I hope for is that we can put it behind us and move forward with this business deal, with mutual respect."

    He paused, glancing back up to meet her gaze directly. "I won¡¯t ask again. I¡¯ve apologised, and there¡¯s nothing more I can do to make it right. It¡¯s up to you whether you forgive me or not. But I¡¯d appreciate it if you could keep your sharp words to yourself, regardless."

    Tang Yuqiu¡¯s expression shifted, the hard edge in her eyes softening as she blinked, taken aback by the sincerity in his tone. For a moment, she simply gaped at him, as if struggling to reconcile this Chen Ren with the one she remembered. Her mouth opened and closed, but no biting retort came forth.

    After what felt like an eternity, she lowered her head, letting out a breath she didn¡¯t realise she¡¯d been holding. "I... understand," she said quietly, her voice lacking the usual bite. "Perhaps... we should move on to discussing the business idea."

    She hesitated for a moment, then turned toward the door. "But first, I¡¯ll have them bring tea. It seems only proper."

    ***

    Chen Ren adjusted himself in his seat as the maid poured tea between them, the steam curling upward with a faint floral scent. He took a moment to collect his thoughts before speaking. "Apologies for taking a bit longer than expected. I wanted to come sooner, but... well, the work was delicate and required time. But now, I¡¯ve got something that might not only make me wealthy¡ª but make you even wealthier."

    Yuqiu raised both her eyebrows. "What is it, then?" she asked, her voice carefully neutral, though he could see a flicker of curiosity behind her eyes.

    Chen Ren reached into his sleeve, pulling out a small pouch. He placed it on the table between them with a soft thud. "See for yourself," he said, leaning back slightly, gesturing for her to open it.

    With a sceptical glance, Tang Yuqiu untied the pouch and carefully drew out a small glass vial, its contents a vivid, crystalline blue that caught the light and shimmered with a subtle radiance. She turned it over in her hands, examining it from every angle, then shot him a puzzled look. "And what exactly am I supposed to do with this? Drink it?"

    Chen Ren chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No, nothing like that. Just place a drop or two in your palms."

    Yuqiu hesitated for a moment but uncorked the vial, releasing a faint, enchanting aroma that immediately filled the space between them. Her eyes widened as she caught the scent, recognizing what the item was. She placed a few drops in her palms and rubbed them together, the fragrance blooming in the air around her¡ª subtle notes of rare flowers, mingling with the warm undertone of exotic spices.

    Her expression shifted, surprise giving way to realisation as she stared at him with eyes wide open. "Your idea was... fragrances?" she asked, a hint of disbelief creeping into her voice.

    Chen Ren nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Yes. I believe it''s the perfect product for us to make a breakthrough. I¡¯ve done my research¡ª talked to Tang Xiulan, and assessed the market. The perfume industry here is lucrative, with even a modest share promising substantial returns. And beyond the gold, think of the connections we''ll forge with the wealthy madams of the large clans. This could open doors for us."

    Yuqiu¡¯s expression remained guarded, though a faint glimmer of interest flickered in her eyes as she considered his words. But she didn¡¯t let her scepticism drop entirely. "I understand that, but this is not an easy market to break into. Do you have any idea how much a single bottle of this can cost? Even if you¡¯ve made a good batch, that doesn¡¯t mean the wealthy families will accept it. Reputation, refinement, exclusivity¡ª these all matter here. What makes you think you can compete with established names?"

    Her voice sharpened at the end, challenging, as if testing the strength of his resolve. Chen Ren met her gaze squarely, knowing that this was the crux of their negotiation. If he could convince her, they would have a chance to carve out a place in this competitive world.

    Chen Ren leaned forward, his tone calm yet carrying an edge of urgency. "It''s fifteen silver for the lowest-grade perfume out there. The merchants and the established shops cast exorbitant prices on such things, knowing they can get away with it," he said.

    Yuqiu sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Yes, that''s precisely why this isn''t a simple venture. The production cost alone is immense, and I don¡¯t have a massive stockpile of silver to burn through on a risky investment like this." Her voice grew sharper as she continued, her doubts spilling forth. "Moreover, the real challenge is matching the quality. We¡¯d need at least a small string of qi trapped within the fragrances. Even for normal ones, we would need sect connections, or we won''t be able to procure a batch of these. Without that, our product would be no better than a roadside vendor''s attempts at perfume. It wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against the ones currently in the market¡ª"

    Before she could finish, Chen Ren interrupted, raising a hand. "I don¡¯t think you quite understand."

    She stopped mid-sentence, frowning at him. "Understand what, exactly?" she asked, crossing her arms, her impatience barely masked.

    Chen Ren gestured to the vial still sitting between them on the table. "How much do you think that vial is worth? Smell it again, take your time."

    Yuqiu glanced down at the small container, uncorking it again and bringing it close to her nose. She let the scent flow over her, taking in the subtle complexities of the aroma. Her brows furrowed slightly as she assessed it, her thoughts turning. "If I had to guess... twenty, maybe twenty-five silver wen, at least. Even without a strong qi presence, its fragrance is refined."

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    Chen Ren''s lips curled into a small smile, shaking his head. "No. I got it for zero money. It didn¡¯t cost me a single copper."

    Yuqiu¡¯s head snapped up, her eys widening as she looked at him with disbelief. "What?" she blurted out.

    "It just took some trouble gathering the right herbs and figuring out how to process them into a perfume," Chen Ren replied smoothly, leaning back in his chair, clearly enjoying the surprise playing across her face.

    In this world, perfumes and fragrances were a luxury, but not in the way one might expect. They were most commonly sourced from the sect mountains¡ª remote, mystical ranges where scented plants with spiritual properties grew in the shadow of ancient cultivation grounds.

    It wasn¡¯t rare for these mountains to produce a special kind of flora, their essence subtly infused with traces of qi due to the constant exposure to the spiritual energies of cultivators. Each month, as the plants'' juices overflowed, they would trickle down the mountain streams, gathered by sect members and sold to the right buyers at an extravagant price.

    These perfumes, carrying even a faint whisper of qi, commanded a high value in the market. Some of the highest-quality vials contained a quarter of a single circle of qi, enhancing their appeal and providing a subtle, refreshing aura to those who wore them. Naturally, only the wealthy could afford such a luxury, and most of the business clans that dealt with the sects guarded their supply lines closely, ensuring that the rare scented extracts reached only the hands of upper-class ladies and noble families.

    It was this rarity that made perfumes a coveted item, their status reinforced by the aura of prestige they carried. To most merchants, entering this market would be an uphill battle, requiring both deep pockets and strong connections to the sects. And yet, here Chen Ren was, claiming he had managed to produce something similar without the backing of a powerful sect or the blessings of a business clan.

    Yuqiu stared at him, struggling to process his words, her suspicion momentarily overshadowed by curiosity.

    Chen Ren leaned forward.

    "I have a way to extract perfumes from ordinary herbs. It¡¯s a method I¡¯ve been working on¡ª mixing and refining, and I¡¯m still figuring out the details. But the potential is there, and I¡¯m proposing a way for us to produce good-quality perfumes using nothing more than common herbs." He paused for a moment, gauging her reaction before continuing. "With this method, we could sell our products at a price far below the current market rate. Five to seven silver per bottle¡ª something that would appeal to the middle class, while still maintaining a high standard of quality. And for the wealthier clientele, we could create premium blends, tapping into their desire for exclusivity."

    He spoke slowly, laying out the structure of his idea, briefly mentioning the production process, the markets they could target, and the profits they might stand to gain. As he spoke, Yuqiu¡¯s initial scepticism gave way to a growing interest, her eyes widening slightly with each new detail. She couldn¡¯t hide the calculations running through her mind, the potential profits and market shares practically dancing before her eyes. By the time Chen Ren finished speaking, she was leaning forward, her focus entirely on him.

    When he paused, she finally managed to find her voice, though it was tinged with a blend of wonder and wariness. "This all sounds promising, but... what is the method you¡¯re talking about? How do you plan to turn ordinary herbs into something that can rival the fragrances from the sect mountains?"

    Chen Ren met her gaze evenly, his expression turning serious. "Before I tell you, we need to perform a qi oath. I know you''re a mortal, but I can ensure that you¡¯ll feel the weight of the oath as well. This isn¡¯t something I¡¯m willing to share lightly."

    Yuqiu looked at him with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity. The idea of an oath must have sounded strange to her, especially since she had no experience with cultivation. But after a moment¡¯s thought, she nodded, a hint of trust creeping into her expression.

    "All right. I¡¯ll trust that you aren¡¯t lying to me, Chen Ren."

    Chen Ren inclined his head and took a deep breath, feeling a slight twinge of discomfort in his chest as he prepared for the next step. He drew on his qi, letting it flow through his core, channelling the energy into a thin thread that he weaved into a pattern in the air. His hands moved, fingers tracing symbols that seemed to shimmer faintly before vanishing into the space between them.

    The qi oath was a form of soul-binding that cultivators used when sealing a pact or safeguarding a precious secret.

    It wasn¡¯t a complex technique, but it required precision and intent, and once completed, it carried an unbreakable weight.

    For Chen Ren, the knowledge of the oath came easily¡ª something that the previous Chen Ren had been familiar with, passed down through techniques he had learned before his life took a turn. Yet, as he performed the ritual, he felt a sense of necessity, an understanding that compared to the influence and resources of the Tang Clan, he was merely a single cultivator, vulnerable without the protection of this oath.

    A faint ripple of energy settled into the air between them, the atmosphere shifting subtly as the oath took hold.

    ¡°I promise not to share the method of fragrance making you would share with me without taking your permission for it. If I break the oath, my life will be forfeit,¡± she said, making the oath.

    Though Tang Yuqiu couldn¡¯t see the qi threads, she shivered slightly as the heaviness of the promise settled over her, a subtle pressure that spoke of the seriousness of the bond they had just created. Chen Ren lowered his hands, letting the last traces of energy fade away, and met her gaze with a steady expression.

    "Now," he said softly, "I can share the method with you, and you can be sure that it will remain between us."

    ***

    Chen Ren sat before a variety of herbs spread across the table before him in his room. The air was thick with the scents of dried petals, roots, and leaves he had painstakingly collected. He had spent his precious time testing different combinations, boiling and refining them, until he¡¯d discovered the right mixture that could hold a fragrance rather than just a fleeting scent.

    Tonight, he was ready to try distilling the first batch of what he hoped would become a new path to wealth.

    Tang Yuqiu stood in front of a wall, her eyes fixed on him as he worked on the process.

    He leaned over a small clay pot, carefully heating a mixture of herbs he had ground into a fine paste. A second vessel, half-filled with clear water, sat next to it.

    Chen Ren adjusted the flame beneath the pot, focusing his qi to maintain the precise temperature needed. It was a delicate process, one he had repeated over and over to perfect. He watched as the steam rose, carrying with it the rich, floral scent of the herbs. The steam condensed against a cool surface, trickling down into a small glass vial set underneath.

    The scent that filled the room was unlike anything found in the lower markets¡ª sharp yet sweet, with an undertone of earthy richness.

    As the last drops settled into the vial, Chen Ren lifted it and swirled the liquid inside. The result was a vibrant blue colour, glowing softly under the candlelight. It was far from the purest or most refined fragrance, but it was crafted entirely from herbs that could be found outside of the expensive sect-run sources.

    He placed a cork in the vial and stood up, his expression satisfied but cautious. Chen Ren knew that this product needed testing before it could be sold.

    He looked back at Yuqiu¡¯s widened eyes.

    When he handed her the vial, he spoke his thoughts aloud "We need to test this for any side effects. I used herbs that are known to be consumed safely by people, but it¡¯s best to make sure that it doesn¡¯t cause any harm when used on the skin. Safety comes first, even if the ingredients seem harmless."

    Yuqiu took the vial with a look of awe. She swirled it around the vial as how a man with experience would swirl a glass of fine wine. Her eyes widened as she inhaled the scent, marvelling at its complexity and the clear, natural notes it carried. "This method... it¡¯s unlike anything I¡¯ve ever seen," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "How do you even know how to do this, Chen Ren?"

    He couldn¡¯t help curling his lips upwards. "Why would I tell you all my secrets? Just know that it¡¯s going to make us rich if we play our cards right."

    She stared at him for a moment, processing his words, then nodded slowly. "Yes, it will," she agreed, her mind already racing through the possibilities.

    Chen Ren¡¯s expression grew serious as he leaned closer, meeting her gaze directly. "And for that to happen, you need to put in the work. My part was to create the product and develop the method. Now, it¡¯s your turn to show what the Tang Clan¡¯s resources are truly worth. You¡¯ll need gatherers to collect herbs, workers who had performed a similar qi oath to distil and bottle the perfumes, and a distribution plan. From creating the product to packaging it, everything has to be handled with precision. And we can¡¯t afford delays¡ª these perfumes are cheap to produce and quick to make. We need to seize the market before anyone else catches wind of what we¡¯re doing."

    Yuqiu nodded, her eyes focusing on the vial at hand. Her earlier hesitation had vanished, replaced by a sharp focus. She even managed a small, confident smile. "Don¡¯t worry, Chen Ren. I¡¯ll make sure our perfume business becomes the best in the city."

    Chen Ren¡¯s smirk widened, and he shook his head slowly. "I wouldn¡¯t have come to the Tang Clan if I just wanted to dominate the city¡¯s market. No. I want this business to reach beyond our borders, spread through other cities and become a household name across the entire empire. This is just the start."

    Yuqiu¡¯s eyes flashed with something akin to ambition¡ª something he found himself familiar with whenever he thought about his plans.

    "Then we¡¯ll make it happen. For both of our sakes."

    Chen Ren inclined his head.

 Chapter 22: Business sect

    The perfume business moved faster than expected once Chen Ren and Tang Yuqiu finalised their discussions.

    Soon, everything else settled in¡ª Tang Yuqiu was given the task to manage the herb gathering and production while Chen Ren handled the marketing.

    To make sure they were on the right side of the local laws, they took a day to read up everything on herb gathering and found a surprising thing¡ª there were no restrictions on how much common herbs could be gathered.

    Only the rarer ones had restrictions, but they didn''t have to care about them since the herbs they needed were extremely common.

    The only real concern came from the local gathering community, but that would be handled in a way that Chen Ren found both clever and practical.

    Tang Yuqiu¡¯s solution was simple: hire the community members themselves to gather the herbs, turning any potential complaints into cooperation. It was the kind of pragmatic approach he¡¯d come to expect from someone with a business clan background, leaving him free to focus on other matters while Yuqiu ironed out the smaller details. Profits would follow, eventually.

    As she worked to start the production, Chen Ren shifted his attention back to the noodle stall.

    The scent of fresh dough and spices mingled with the crisp morning air as he rolled out another batch, watching customers queue up with hunger in their eyes. It wasn¡¯t glamorous work, but with each satisfied slurp and each coin dropped into his hands, he felt the stall inching closer to stability. The perfume venture might be a longer game, but the noodle stall¡ª now that was where he could see results day by day.

    Till now, Chen Ren had ensured that every step with his noodle stall was executed flawlessly. He had become a familiar face among the other stall owners in the market, and many had begun to show him respect, nodding in approval when he passed by.

    He knew a lot of it was due to his connections with the Tang Clan and him being a cultivator, but it was still admiration and respect. Unfortunately, those weren¡¯t enough¡ª not for what he envisioned.

    Cloud Mist City was teeming with opportunity. With his current success, he shouldn¡¯t waste any more time to see his noodles reach every corner of the city. Two stalls could easily thrive here, maybe even three if he played his cards right. And that was only the beginning. Beyond this place, the entire Kalian Empire stretched out like a golden field waiting to be harvested. But to expand, he knew he needed more than just a good recipe and a prime location.

    He needed a brand.

    So far, he had only dipped his toes into a single business, one that barely hinted at the ambitions simmering in his mind. But things were changing.

    With the perfume venture now also set in motion, he realised that scattered ventures wouldn¡¯t cut it. He needed a common identity that would unify his efforts, something that would resonate with customers and leave an impression. Branding was his answer. Even if the concept wasn¡¯t widely known or formalised here, it was already in use.

    The big business clans, like the Tang Clan, branded every business they owned, subtly or overtly, with their name. When people saw that name, they knew who they were dealing with. The sects did it, too. Members wore robes in distinct colours, displaying their allegiance for all to see, turning even a simple garment into a symbol of their strength and reputation.

    But Chen Ren wanted to take it further.

    Rather than just crafting a brand for a company that would house all his businesses, he aimed for something with a deeper resonance.

    He had been thinking about it these days and after all his internal discussions, his thoughts had landed on one thing¡ª A sect.

    , he thought,

    Hence after tending to his noodle stall, he went to the tea shop, having already gotten permission from Qing He to read one more book from her hidden collection. He didn''t move to another room this time and just sat at the counter, a thick tome opened before him.

    The shop''s counter was cluttered with loose leaves and porcelain cups, but the old woman next to him, Qing He, paid him no mind.

    She shuffled around, muttering to herself about the weather and something about hasty young kids, but to Chen Ren, she was just another part of the background. Her indifference suited him perfectly; he didn''t need prying eyes.

    He flipped a page of the book, its parchment worn but rich with history. The text detailed the rise and fall of the great sects.

    the book explained.

    This was more like what he remembered from the cultivation novels he used to read back home¡ª powerful sects that ruled entire mountain ranges or valleys, taking in disciples and shaping the fate of the land.

    But these were rare exceptions, the book emphasised. The Kalian Empire had tightened its grip on most regions, folding nearly all but a few rebellious and demonic sects under its rule. Still, the sound of such independence caught Chen Ren¡¯s interest, and he kept reading, curiosity bubbling in his chest.

    He flipped through more pages until he found the section on how to establish a sect. The old ways were simple¡ª back then, all it took was a cultivator''s word, and a new sect could rise overnight, built on the strength of their reputation and the sharpness of their sword. But the times had changed, and with it, the process had become more bureaucratic.

    the book read in neat script, "

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes glinted as he read on.

    The more Chen Ren read, the more the possibilities spun through his mind. A smile formed on his lips as he considered the idea of starting as an unofficial sect, slowly building up until he could pay the fee and gain recognition. It wasn¡¯t exactly what he¡¯d dreamed of, but it was a start¡ª one that could eventually lead to something greater.

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    Just then, a voice cut through his thoughts, pulling him back to the present. "Boy, you¡¯re reading that dusty old thing like it''s your woman''s breast. Planning to join a sect, are you?" Qing He asked, finally taking notice of him.

    Chen Ren glanced up, pausing before taking a sip of the lukewarm tea beside him. "No," he said, carefully closing the book with a soft thud. "It¡¯s for something else."

    Qing He raised a grey eyebrow, her expression equal parts amused and sceptical. "Oh? What would a young lad like you be so interested in, if not joining a sect?"

    Chen Ren leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he met her gaze directly. "I want to establish a sect," he said, his tone casual, as if he were discussing the weather.

    Her expression shifted, her crooked smile fading into something that resembled disbelief. Then, with a wheezy chuckle, she shook her head and looked at him as though he¡¯d sprouted a second head. "Are you trying to get yourself killed, boy? You do realise you¡¯re only in the mid-stages of the first realm, right?"

    Chen Ren shrugged. "I know."

    She snorted, her thin fingers tapping rhythmically on the wooden counter. "And you¡¯re aware that the Guardian Sects wouldn¡¯t even take you as an outer disciple, yes? You¡¯d be laughed out before you even reached the gates."

    Again, Chen Ren nodded. "I know that too."

    The old woman narrowed her eyes, studying him as if she might see through whatever madness he was hiding. "Then why in the heavens would you want to establish a sect when you don¡¯t even qualify to be a proper outer disciple? Did you hit your head during a practice session? Boy, if anyone in the sects hears of this, they¡¯ll laugh themselves sick and take bets on how quickly you¡¯ll get yourself killed."

    "Maybe. But some things are worth trying, even if others think they¡¯re impossible."

    Qing He stared at him for a long moment, her expression softening slightly. She leaned back against the counter, letting out a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of ages. "You remind me of some fools I knew when I was young... but we¡¯ll see if you last long enough to prove them wrong, boy."

    He shrugged at her words. "It just felt like the right thing to do to start my company," he replied. He knew establishing a sect wasn''t as simple as opening up a noodle stall, but a sect being his company was what he was looking for.

    She scoffed. "And why not just establish a business clan, then? It would be much more fitting than some fool¡¯s dream of starting a sect."

    Chen Ren shook his head. "To create a business clan, I¡¯d need more members, more backing. But a sect? That I can start on my own. Plus, if I managed to become an established sect, there would be tax benefits, lenient rules on expansion, and access to resources that a regular business just couldn¡¯t get."

    Her eyebrows shot up, and she let out a bark of laughter that drew a few curious looks from the other patrons. "If that ever happens in my lifetime, I¡¯d gladly hand over this old shop to you and go live on the streets."

    Chen Ren smirked. "I hope it doesn''t come to that.¡± He looked at her seriously. ¡°Street life isn¡¯t meant for the elderly."

    She scoffed again, this time softer, and then her expression turned serious. "Look, seriously think this through. Starting a sect isn''t like setting up a market stall. You won¡¯t be able to teach just about anyone martial techniques, you know."

    "Who said I¡¯m opening up a martial sect?"

    She blinked, clearly thrown off. "Then what kind of sect are you talking about?"

    "I''m going to open a sect for business. One that mortals can join too¡ª not just as helpers, but as proper members. Martial arts won¡¯t be the focus. Instead, I¡¯ll take anyone interested in making money while cultivating on the side. That¡¯s my vision. A place where even someone without a hint of talent can find a path forward, where hard work and strategy matter more than bloodline and talent."

    She stared at him like he¡¯d grown three heads this time, then let out a long sigh. "You don¡¯t know the logistics involved in running a sect. Uniforms, managing resources, keeping your disciples in line, and then there¡¯s protecting yourself from other sects that might see you as an easy prey. You won''t even be able to manage even a tenth of that."

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver. "Then I¡¯ll hire people. I believe that whatever I can¡¯t handle myself, I should have enough coin to hire someone who can. It¡¯s not about doing everything on my own¡ª it¡¯s about knowing my limits and finding the right people to fill the gaps."

    Qing He¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes narrowing. "You know, immortality isn¡¯t found in making money. The path to cultivation is paved with discipline, not profit." sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Chen Ren just chuckled at that. "There¡¯s nothing wrong with making a bit of money along the way. The more I make, the more pills, herbs, and cultivation resources I can acquire. That¡¯ll benefit my sect, won¡¯t it?"

    She let out a deep sigh, but a hint of a smile tugged at her lips. "You might be crazier than I thought, but there¡¯s some truth in that, I suppose."

    Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a loud commotion from across the tea shop.

    Two young women had begun shouting at each other, their voices rising until they drew the attention of everyone in the room. Then, without warning, they lunged at each other, hands glowing faintly with the aura of low-level cultivators. Tables were knocked aside as they clashed, cups and plates scattering onto the floor.

    The old woman shook her head, a look of exasperation crossing her face. "See that? Fights break out everywhere, especially among sect members. Those two are barely in the initial stages and you¡¯re not much stronger than them. If you start up a sect, how are you going to deal with situations like this? You wouldn¡¯t be able to handle it."

    Chen Ren leaned back, a confident glint in his eyes. "Do you want to make a bet?"

    She looked at him and cleared her throat. "A bet, you say? And what exactly are you betting on?"

    "I¡¯ll settle that fight right in front of you. It will prove I can at least handle cultivators," Chen Ren said, pointing casually at the two quarrelling cultivators. "If I can do that without using my fists, you¡¯ll owe me a favour. Let me read more books from your collection, without any questions."

    ***

    The moonlight was bright against the darkness, its pale light filtering through the slats in the window, illuminating a scene of bloodshed.

    A man lay on the floor, clutching his side as blood seeped through his fingers, pooling beneath him. Around him were the lifeless bodies of guards, their faces twisted in shock, and a woman, dressed in concubine''s silks, sprawled motionless on the ground. Her glassy eyes stared into the darkness, as if pleading for help that never came.

    Above the dying man stood another, draped in dark robes that seemed to blend with the shadows, a bloodied sword gleaming in his grip. His eyes glowed with a malevolent light as he stepped closer, the edge of his blade catching the moonlight. A twisted smile curled on his lips.

    ¡°Rong Zhen, it will be easier for both of us if you just tell me where the artefact is,¡± he drawled, his voice dripping with mockery.

    Rong Zhen clutched his wound. His breathing ragged as he shook his head frantically. ¡°I... I don¡¯t know! Take everything in this room, just please... spare my life.¡±

    The demonic cultivator chuckled, a low and sinister sound that seemed to chill the air around him. ¡°Oh, I plan to take everything,¡± he replied, leaning closer until his shadow swallowed Rong Zhen whole. ¡°But I don¡¯t need you.¡±

    With a sudden, jerking movement, dark tendrils erupted from his hands, twisting like serpents as they plunged into Rong Zhen¡¯s abdomen. The man¡¯s eyes bulged, and a choked gurgle escaped his lips as the tendrils drained his life force, turning his skin ashen.

    Rong Zhen¡¯s body twitched violently before going limp, his lifeless form crumpling to the floor like a discarded doll.

    The demonic cultivator grimaced as he finished, pulling his hand back and watching the tendrils retract. He made a face as if tasting something bitter. ¡°I expected better from a wealthy man¡¯s soul,¡± he muttered, wiping his hand on the edge of his cloak.

    From the shadows, a ghostly figure materialised¡ª pale and translucent, his form barely holding together. He hovered over the scene, his robes drifting as if caught in an invisible wind. The ghost¡¯s hollow eyes glowed with a faint, eerie light. ¡°He wasn¡¯t a cultivator,¡± the ghost remarked, his voice echoing unnaturally. ¡°All mortal souls are... bland, Gu Tian. You should know that by now.¡±

    Gu Tian sighed, casting an annoyed glance at the wraith. ¡°Another waste of a night. I thought this one might be hiding something worthwhile.¡±

    The ghost drifted closer, his gaze shifting around the room. ¡°Perhaps not as much of a waste as you think. Check under that floorboard over there.¡± He gestured with a translucent hand toward a loose plank near the corner of the room.

    Gu Tian arched an eyebrow but obeyed. With a swift kick, he broke through the floorboards, revealing a small, concealed compartment. Inside was a wooden box, dusty and worn. He pried it open, revealing a dark, sinister-looking sword. The metal seemed to hum faintly with a toxic energy, a faint, greenish mist curling around its edge.

    The ghost¡¯s eyes glinted. ¡°An artefact... I can feel a poisonous aura emanating from it. This isn¡¯t some cheap trinket¡ª an Earth-grade artefact at the very least.¡±

    Gu Tian¡¯s lips twisted into a smirk as he lifted the sword, feeling its weight and the power thrumming within it. ¡°I keep finding these lucky encounters ever since you bound yourself to me, Master.¡±

    The ghost¡¯s laughter echoed through the room, a haunting sound that sent shivers through the air. ¡°Don¡¯t let it get to your head, Gu Tian. The luckier you are, the more you¡¯ll be tested. That¡¯s the way of a Heaven¡¯s favoured.¡±

    Gu Tian¡¯s smirk deepened, his eyes gleaming. ¡°With my methods, Master, I think I¡¯m more of a Hell¡¯s favoured.¡±

    He sheathed the sword at his side, taking one last look at the killings he had been responsible for. A part of him ached, knowing they didn''t deserve it, but Gu Tian had forsaken chasing the path of a righteous cultivator long back.

    Now, he only coveted power.

    With that thought in his mind, he left the room, leaving the task of retrieving the bodies to any servants or family members who might find Rong Zhen tomorrow morning. He was sure that the sight of his dead body would be a good surprise for them.

 Chapter 23: Lots of dumplings

    The tension in the tea shop was thick, like a brewing storm. Every customer had turned their heads toward the corner where two young women stood, faces flushed and voices raised. Even the server paused mid-pour, eyes darting between the arguing girls, afraid that one wrong move might escalate things further. Chen Ren felt the movement¡ª the shift of all those eyes as he wove through the maze of chairs and tables, making his way toward the commotion.

    Now, their eyes were on him. They were watching as if he was crazy to run into the middle of that fight¡ª he swiped his eyes all over just once and focused on where he was headed.

    As he got closer, the nature of their argument became clearer, though their words were tangled in shouts and indignation. But the sudden realisation struck him, stopping him in his tracks. The source of their fury? It was a romance book¡ª

    One of the girls, her face scrunched up in a righteous scowl, jabbed a finger toward the other. She was tall¨Ctall enough to intimidate the shorter girl with purple hair. But it wasn¡¯t her height that gave her the upper hand, it was her eyes, they were sharp as a knife as they bore onto the shorter woman.

    The shorter woman flinched at her words when she spoke.

    ¡°The main protagonist deserved to die! He turned his back on his sect¡ª And don''t forget, he had a childhood fianc¨¦e! Think of how would have felt, abandoned just because he got some foolish ideas in his head about love. It was betrayal, plain and simple.¡±

    Her opponent, eyes wide with passion, crossed her arms and shook her head vigorously. ¡°You just don¡¯t get it, Yun Qiao! You are not even trying to understand¡ª that¡¯s what love is about! He went against everything, even the rules of his own world, for her! That¡¯s why the book is beautiful! That¡¯s why it¡¯s right! You can¡¯t say it¡¯s wrong just because it¡¯s unconventional!¡±

    Yun Qiao scoffed, hands on her hips, chin raised. ¡°If it was truly the right path, Mei Lian, then the heavens wouldn¡¯t have punished them. You think his suffering was a coincidence? That¡¯s fate correcting a mistake!¡±

    Chen Ren paused a few paces away, his lips twitching into a wry smile.

    He had written that book mostly as a way to gain access to the herbal books and bestiary, never imagining it would spark this kind of fervour. Sure, he had heard about the book catching some steam lately, and Qing He had also reluctantly let him borrow a second book from her collection due to his rising popularity. But he certainly hadn¡¯t expected it to be the cause of a full-blown argument between two budding cultivators.

    Not just any argument, one that looked like it could turn into a duel anytime sooner.

    Clearing his throat, he let out a small, deliberate cough to catch their attention. When their heated debate halted for a moment, he stepped in with a polite smile. ¡°Ah, excuse me, but perhaps I could offer my perspective on this matter?¡±

    Both girls whipped their heads toward him, looking him up and down with disdain. ¡°And just who do you think you are?¡± Yun Qiao girl snapped, crossing her arms tighter. ¡°We¡¯re having a here, so scram!¡±

    The other girl nodded, frowning at him as if he¡¯d just suggested something utterly ridiculous. ¡°Yeah, get lost! This is between us!¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s smile faltered for a moment, and he scratched the back of his head, unsure f he should laugh or be exasperated. He had dealt with many things since starting his little noodle stall, but being dismissed from a debate about his own work was a new one.

    Soon, they went back to their back and forth argument, almost as if he was invisible.

    Chen Ren¡¯s smile tightened as he noticed the two girls¡¯ irritation rising again, their voices straining with each heated word.

    With another glance around the tea shop, he saw how uncomfortable most people seemed, watching the argument unfold like a slow-motion disaster.

    Some people even attempted to close their ears so they could focus on the book splayed open in front of them. Only a few watched with curiosity and excitement while sipping their tea as if using their argument as entertainment.

    A sigh threatened to escape Chen Ren¡¯s lips but instead, he raised his hand slightly, trying to keep his tone calm but firm. ¡°Your serious discussion is making the other customers uncomfortable, and you¡¯re one misstep away fro breaking something in the shop.¡±

    ¡°And who are you to represent everyone here?¡± Yin Qiao asked loudly.

    A small silence followed her question.

    ¡°No one to everyone here, but my name is Chen Ren.¡±

    The girl in question opened her mouth, clearly ready to snap at him again, but then she froze, her eyes widening in sudden recognition. ¡°Wait... did you just say Chen Ren? As in... , the one who wrote ¡®Liang Shan and Hua Yun?¡¯¡±

    Chen Ren gave a small, humble nod. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s me. And I must admit, I couldn¡¯t help myself from coming over when I realised you were discussing my book with such passion.¡±

    Both girls stared at him, mouths slightly agape. The shorter one among the duo¡ª Mei Lian, visibly fidgeting her fingers as she continued to stare at him. A few awkward seconds ticked by before she cleared her throat loudly. Her face flushed with excitement and she gestured to an empty chair at their table. ¡°Would you like to join us? We, um, have a lot of questions.¡± S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Chen Ren accepted the offer with a nod, pulling out the chair and settling into it. The tense atmosphere softened as he took his seat, and the other patrons in the shop resumed their conversations, though many kept a curious eye on the corner.

    As soon as he sat down, the questions came tumbling out.

    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    Yun Qiao leaned forward eagerly, the earlier sharpness in her voice replaced by genuine curiosity. ¡°I just have to know¡ª when the protagonist left his sect for the girl, that wasn¡¯t a heart demon forming in him, was it?¡±

    Chen Ren shook his head, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. ¡°No, it wasn¡¯t. It was love of the purest kind. Yes, he had conflicts about going against his sect, but he was following the core tenet of his clan¡ª to always follow his heart as long as he believed he was in the right. And don¡¯t forget, the female lead was going to be sacrificed by her own elders. For him, saving her was justified.¡±

    Yun Qiao bit her lip, mulling over his words, while Mei Lian chimed in with a hopeful tone. ¡°So, the true essence of the book is about true love, right?

    Chen Ren smiled, but internally, he was frowning. If he was honest, he hadn''t thought a ton about the story and added whatever tropes he could fit into it while taking the core plot from Earth''s classic story. If he had actually thought about the essence or themes of the book, he wouldn''t be able to complete it in three days.

    But now, as those two pairs of eyes waited for him carefully, he pulled himself out of the trance and decided to do one thing he was good at¡ª Bullshitting!

    ¡°There are many themes in the story, and they intertwine, depending on which characters you focus on. But if I were to sum it up, it¡¯s also about how ancient rivalries¡ªthose that have gone on for centuries, often without anyone remembering how they even began¡ª can end up destroying the younger generation. The protagonist¡¯s love story is just one way that theme plays out.¡±

    As he spoke, he noticed more girls drawing closer, their faces glowing with curiosity. They pulled up chairs or simply sat on the edges of nearby tables, inching closer, eyes bright with enthusiasm. Before he knew it, several of them were leaning in, some even placing their hands on his arm as they bombarded him with questions about plot twists, character motivations, and hidden meanings in his story.

    Chen Ren kept up with their excitement, answering each question with a smile, though he couldn¡¯t help but feel a little overwhelmed by the sudden attention. He had always imagined his writing might reach people, but he never thought it would turn a quiet afternoon into a bustling discussion circle in the middle of a tea shop.

    As time drifted on, Chen Ren found himself in a situation he could only describe as¡­ serendipitous.

    The small gathering of curious readers had turned into a full-on fan club, with young, pretty girls hanging on his every word. They crowded around him, leaning in with eager faces, their questions coming faster than he could answer. Before long, more snacks appeared on the table¡ª someone had even brought over a plate of freshly steamed dumplings, insisting he try them.

    One particularly bold girl held a dumpling up to his lips with a shy smile, urging him to take a bite while she asked about a certain plot twist. ¡°So, when the protagonist¡¯s qi shattered after the betrayal, was that a symbol for¡ª¡±

    Chen Ren managed a muffled answer as he accepted the dumpling, unable to stop a bemused grin from spreading across his face.

    He had expected a few interested readers, maybe some debates or even criticism, but this sudden celebrity treatment was a pleasant surprise. For a moment, he wondered if today the goddess of luck had decided to bless him, showering him with this unexpected charm. Not that he was about to complain¡ª no, he was thoroughly enjoying every bit of attention, basking in the admiration.

    He simply wanted to drink tea, answer questions and eat the girl''s dumplings.

    But amid the laughter and chatter, his gaze strayed over to the tea shop counter, where Qing He stood watching. Her expression was... complicated¡ª a blend of exasperation, disbelief, and something he could only describe as begrudging amusement. It was as if she couldn¡¯t decide whether to scold him or be proud that her tea shop was now buzzing with so much energy.

    Perched beside her on the counter, the amber-eyed cat lounged, her tail flicking lazily. But as soon as their eyes met, her whiskers twitched, and he heard a familiar, dry voice slip directly into his thoughts.

    Chen Ren barely stopped himself from choking on the dumpling, managing to maintain his outward composure even as he grimaced internally. He shot Yalan a look of annoyance, but deep down, he couldn¡¯t deny that a part of him was revelling in the unexpected turn of events.

    , he told himself, even as he felt a little rush of pride. He returned his attention to the girls, offering a polished response to yet another question about his protagonist¡¯s moral dilemmas. Yet, in the back of his mind, he couldn¡¯t help but think that maybe, just maybe, there were some perks to his new life after all.

    ***

    Days flew by as Tang Yuqiu established a small production workshop for their perfume venture, working closely with Chen Ren to get everything just right. She carefully selected a few of her most trusted aides, and together, they set up the process to craft their scents.

    They spent long evenings deciding on the different kinds of perfumes they would sell, pricing strategies, and the best way to package the final product. Given the high cost of glass, they chose to go with elegant wooden bottles adorned with intricate engravings. Each bottle bore both the Tang Clan name and Chen Ren¡¯s sect mark¡ª a golden coin with the face of a dragon, the same beast Chen Ren had seen during his deep connection with his dao. Even though he hadn¡¯t officially registered his sect or chosen a name, the symbol felt like a natural choice.

    After several days of tiring, but systematic process, Chen Ren and Tang Yuqiu met in the workshop to inspect the first batch of perfumes ready for the market.

    As he picked up a bottle, he admired the craftsmanship. The wooden casing was smooth to the touch, engraved with detailed patterns of flowing clouds and waves, with the dragon coin symbol subtly etched on one side and the Tang Clan emblem on the other. The scent he opened was named Feng Hua¡ª , a fresh blend of herbs and light floral notes, capturing the essence of a crisp morning in the mountains, but also a hint of luxurious mysteriousness from the fragrance of the Martha Wood he used.

    He took a deep breath, savouring the fragrance, and then glanced at Yuqiu with a satisfied nod. ¡°It looks good. I believe it¡¯ll be a big hit.¡±

    Yuqiu crossed her arms, a small smile playing on her lips. ¡°I believe so too. We¡¯ve already gotten the permit, but I don¡¯t think it will be as easy as you¡¯re imagining, even with us selling it at such low prices.¡±

    Chen Ren raised an eyebrow. ¡°Why is that?¡±

    She sighed, leaning against the workbench. ¡°The winds in the business world are shifting, and the existing players have already caught a whiff of our plans. Since I¡¯m part of the Tang Clan, they¡¯re keeping a close eye on us. And if we start taking a big chunk out of the market with such affordable prices, they¡¯re not going to take it lightly.¡±

    Chen Ren considered her words for a moment before replying, ¡°But there won¡¯t be any trouble from the sects. They don¡¯t have partnerships in the perfume trade. They simply provide the resources.¡±

    Yuqiu nodded in agreement. ¡°Yes, but the businesses themselves¡ª families like the Cang Clan and the Bai Hu Trade Association¡ª are not easy to go against. They¡¯ve dominated the market for years.¡±

    He offered a reassuring smile. ¡°We¡¯re already doing everything we can to protect ourselves. Are you sticking to the precautions I suggested?¡±

    She met his gaze firmly. ¡°I am.¡±

    ¡°Then we¡¯ll be fine,¡± he said, confidence in his tone. ¡°For now, our focus should be on marketing. That¡¯s what will make the difference.¡±

    Yuqiu tilted her head, curious. ¡°Do you have any ideas for that?¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes gleamed with excitement as a plan took shape in his mind. ¡°Yeah, a few things. The more I thought it through, the clearer the marketing strategy became. I believe you¡¯ll like it. Let me tell you about it¡­¡±

    Chen Ren took a step forward while Yuqiu drew a smile on her face that showed how she already trusted him, before he could complete the plan in his mind.

    ***

    A/N - Sorry for the delay, been busy with my brother''s wedding.

 Chapter 24: Bai Hu Trade Association

    Tang Yuqiu¡¯s eyes fluttered open, drawn out of sleep by the light caress of dawn''s light slipping through the cracks of her window shutters. The warmth of the sun''s early rays touched her face, gentle and persistent, coaxing her awake. She blinked, momentarily dazed, as she soaked in the serene morning hues filtering into her room. A nervous thrill raced through her veins, making her heart thud a little faster, a quiet anticipation that prickled beneath her skin.

    "Today is the day," she murmured, her voice barely audible in the quiet of the morning, yet the words stirred something deep inside her.

    Her mind drifted back, unbidden, to a time not so long ago¡ª a time when her father had finally granted her the chance to prove herself. Back then, she had been eager and full of ideas, diving headfirst into the challenge.

    She had researched tirelessly, seeking out methods to increase productivity, negotiating with blacksmiths to craft better tools, and cutting prices to undercut her competitors. The thrill of new possibilities had fueled her every step.

    But reality had been harsh. The workforce had struggled to keep up with the demands, and soon, profits dwindled.

    Customers turned away, lured by more established names and better alternatives.

    Each passing day had layered dread upon her shoulders, a weight that grew heavier with every failure. Yet she still remembered the thrill of those first few days¡ª the heady excitement that had surged through her veins, the electric hope that had made her believe she could reshape her fate.

    Now, that same excitement and nervousness welled up in her again, but it was tempered by experience, shaded by the shadows of past failures.

    As she rose from bed, a new thought anchored her, grounding her racing mind.

    Ignoring the small doubts that started creeping from the back of her head, she started freshening up.

    She dressed with care, choosing a deep lavender robe embroidered with silver threads that caught the morning light¡ª dignified yet approachable, she thought. It was a look that spoke of elegance, without the ostentation that might scare away their first customers.

    Her maid, Ling¡¯er, awaited her outside, hands folded neatly, her face a mirror of calm reassurance.

    They shared a quiet understanding as they stepped into the lacquered carriage, the wheels creaking into motion on the streets. The city awoke around them, lanterns extinguishing as the sun climbed higher, vendors calling out in the distance, and the faint clattering of morning carts blending into a familiar hum.

    Ling¡¯er glanced at her, catching the faint crease between Tang Yuqiu¡¯s brows. ¡°Miss, it will be alright,¡± she said softly, the hope in her voice steady like a river¡¯s current. ¡°This venture will be a great success.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu forced a smile and nodded, but her hands twisted in her lap, the nervous energy refusing to settle.

    ¡°I hope so,¡± she replied, her voice carrying a hint of doubt that she couldn¡¯t quite hide. ¡°I don¡¯t trust Chen Ren, not entirely. But¡­ Everything he¡¯s done so far makes me believe he has a plan. We just need to follow it.¡± Her voice grew firmer as she spoke, like she was convincing herself as much as Ling¡¯er.

    The carriage rolled to a gentle stop, and as they stepped down, Tang Yuqiu¡¯s breath caught in her throat.

    Before her stood the shop¡ª a space she had rented from the Tang Clan, one of the few empty properties they owned in the busy heart of the city.

    The location was prime, situated where several streets converged¡ª a crossroads where the clamour of the Market Street bled into the stately calm of the upper districts. It was the kind of place where merchants rubbed shoulders with nobles, where the scent of spices mingled with the perfume of the wealthier residents.

    Her eyes lingered on the freshly painted sign above the door: .

    The characters were bold yet graceful. They seemed to hold a promise, a hope that this new beginning could bloom into something more.

    For a moment, she just stood there, the morning sun warming her back, taking in the sight of the shop that held all her dreams and worries, even though she wished this anxiety was temporary.

    The sign of Heavenly Fragrances bore the symbols of the Tang Clan alongside a fancily carved golden coin emblem.

    The coin symbolised Chen Ren¡¯s role in the venture, adding a touch that complemented the Tang Clan¡¯s prestige with a fresh, distinctive flair.

    He had picked the name of the shop without much deliberation, insisting that ¡°anything with heavenly in it sounds grand and impressive.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu had considered arguing against it, but his certainty¡ª and perhaps a hint of reasoning¡ªhad quieted her objections, leaving her to concede.

    The door creaked as Ling¡¯er pushed it open, the scent of newly polished counters mingling with the subtle perfume samples she and Chen Ren had laboured over, hoping to entice even the most discerning of noses.

    Tang Yuqiu inhaled deeply, a faint smile curving her lips despite the anxious flutter in her chest. Here, in this small shop nestled at the city¡¯s beating heart, was the chance to prove herself again. She just had to seize it.

    She took a deep breath, steadying her nerves, and stepped through the doors of the shop.

    Inside, the sweet and musky aroma of the perfumes they had painstakingly crafted filled the air. Rows of wooden vials lined the shelves, each holding a different hue of liquid, from deep amber to a beautiful lavender. The perfumes gleamed under the soft glow of enchanted lanterns, their essence catching the light as if promising untold luxuries.

    Two employees stood by the entrance, bowing deeply as she entered, their postures respectful yet confident.

    They were young, well-groomed men with striking features¡ª high cheekbones, clear skin, and sharp, symmetrical lines that would draw attention from any passerby.

    Chen Ren had been insistent on hiring them. ¡°If our main customers will be women,¡± he had said with a sly grin, ¡°then it¡¯s only wise to take advantage of pretty privilege.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu didn¡¯t entirely understand the term, but she had grasped the essence of his strategy. And she had to admit, the logic had merit; there was a charm to these handsome employees that could certainly sway a few extra purchases.

    She acknowledged their greetings with a nod, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly at their well-practised, eager smiles. ¡°Prepare for the launch,¡± she instructed, her voice steady, but her heart still beating a little too fast.

    The employees bowed again, promising to handle the preparations, and she turned towards the back of the shop, Ling¡¯er trailing close behind. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    They moved down a narrow hallway, the air gradually growing richer with the scents of herbs and spices. The fragrance shifted with each step¡ª notes of sweet jasmine mingled with the sharpness of mint, followed by the earthy undertone of sandalwood. As they reached a larger chamber, Tang Yuqiu found herself standing in what Chen Ren had referred to as the ¡°assembly line.¡± It was a concept that seemed almost foreign to her, but she could see the efficiency in its design.

    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    The room was filled with rows of workstations, each one dedicated to a different task in the perfume-making process. The employees, four in total, moved with focused precision, their hands deft and practised.

    Tang Yuqiu''s gaze swept across the room, taking in each station.

    At the first station, a worker sat with a woven basket brimming with freshly harvested herbs and blossoms. His hands moved deftly as he separated petals from stems, using a small sickle.

    He hummed quietly as he worked, each cut releasing a fresh burst of scent into the air, his rhythm steady and unbroken.

    Nearby, another employee sorted through piles of dried flowers and herbs, carefully removing impurities and shaking out any lingering dust.

    He then placed the ingredients into large earthen bowls, readying them for the next step.

    The third worker focused on the delicate task of essence extraction. He stood beside a set of gleaming brass stills, each one designed to draw out the essential oils from the prepared ingredients.

    A thin stream of vapour drifted upward as he adjusted the heat with a precise touch, coaxing out the potent scents within.

    Further down the line, the final station held a worker who blended the extracted oils into carefully labelled wooden containers.

    His hands moved with the care of a master painter, mixing drops of different oils with a pipette, creating fragrant symphonies that would later be fine-tuned and aged.

    Tang Yuqiu watched for a moment, the methodical movement of the workers soothing some of her lingering nerves.

    There was something almost hypnotic about the way they worked, the low hum of the stills creating a steady rhythm in the room. It was a far cry from the chaotic struggles of her last venture; here, there was an order to things, a sense that each step had its place.

    Ling¡¯er shifted beside her, glancing at her with a faint smile. ¡°The workers are diligent, Miss. Young master Chen Ren¡¯s plans seem to be coming together.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu nodded slowly, her eyes lingering on the careful process unfolding before her. ¡°Yes... they are,¡± she replied, the words softer than she intended. She wouldn¡¯t admit it openly, but in moments like these, it was hard not to see that Chen Ren¡¯s unorthodox methods carried a certain brilliance. Maybe, just maybe, this time things truly would be different.

    Tang Yuqiu stood there for a moment, taking in the organised chaos of the perfume production line¡ª workers moving between their stations with purpose, each task flowing seamlessly into the next.

    The methodical efficiency of it all, the streamlined process of turning raw herbs into delicate, refined fragrances, still amazed her.

    Once again, her thoughts drifted to Chen Ren and the seemingly endless depths of his ingenuity.

    It had allowed them to set up the shop in a fraction of the time she¡¯d thought possible, turning what could have been a slow and arduous process into something swift and effective. Now, all that remained was for the people to come through those doors and experience their creations.

    Turning back toward the front of the shop, Tang Yuqiu made her way to the counter where one of the employees stood. His posture straightened as she approached and asked, ¡°Where is Chen Ren?¡±

    The young man dipped his head respectfully before answering. ¡°He was here earlier this morning, Miss Yuqiu. He checked over everything, made sure the batches were in order, and then left, saying he needed to start marketing.¡±

    At that, Tang Yuqiu paused, her brow furrowing slightly.

    She knew a few aspects of Chen Ren¡¯s plan¡ª he had gathered a group of children to distribute pamphlets across the city, small sheets of paper listing their perfume varieties, prices, and a promise of discounts for the first visitors.

    It was a simple enough strategy, one that would ensure their name spread quickly through the crowded streets. But she was certain there was more to his scheme than just this, some other tactic or trick that he had yet to share with her.

    He had been evasive when she pressed him for details, simply offering a confident smile and saying, ¡°You¡¯ll see the results of it. Just be patient.¡± It was maddening, really¡ª how he could speak with such assurance, as if he could already see the outcome while she struggled to envision the next few steps.

    She turned back to the employee, curiosity gnawing at her. ¡°Did he leave any other instructions?¡±

    The servant glanced at the ground for a moment, considering, before he shook his head. ¡°He only said to make sure everything was in place, that the shop was stocked and the workers ready. And... that there would be a lot of customers by the end of the day.¡± He hesitated before adding, ¡°But we¡¯ve been open for an hour now, and no one has come in yet.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu nodded slowly, a sigh slipping from her lips as she glanced towards the door. The empty street outside seemed to taunt her, the stillness contrasting sharply with the buzz of excitement and nerves in her chest.

    She tried to swallow down the unease that bubbled up, but the silence of the shop seemed to magnify every doubt. The promise of a bustling crowd by day¡¯s end sounded more like a boast right now, a far-off hope.

    Yet... there was something about Chen Ren¡¯s unwavering confidence, about the glint in his eyes when he spoke of this venture, that kept her from dismissing his words entirely.

    He wouldn¡¯t have made such a claim if he didn¡¯t have something planned. But what exactly could he be up to, out there in the city¡¯s winding alleys and crowded squares?

    She clenched her hands at her sides, trying to maintain her composure in front of the staff. ¡°We¡¯ll wait, then,¡± she said, more to herself than anyone else. ¡°Make sure everything stays ready. If he¡¯s right, we need to be prepared.¡±

    She forced herself to keep her gaze steady on the door, watching as a few passersby glanced at the shop¡¯s sign before moving on.

    The question lingered in her mind, an itch she couldn¡¯t quite scratch. As she waited, she couldn¡¯t help but wonder if, once again, Chen Ren¡¯s unexpected methods would turn the tide in their favour.

    ***

    The air was thick with smoke as Bai Hu, the lord of the Bai Hu Trade Association, leaned back in his chair, lazily blowing out a stream of white smoke from his curved pipe. The scented haze swirled around him, filling the room with the rich aroma of rare herbs. He had always enjoyed the tranquillity that smoking brought, a small respite from the endless calculations of profit and trade. But today, his peace was interrupted by the sound of footsteps shuffling into his private chamber.

    One of his associates stepped forward, bowing deeply before holding out a small, folded pamphlet. "My lord, the reports have been verified," the associate said, his voice careful, measured. "Tang Yuqiu of the Tang Clan has indeed opened a perfume shop in the city. The rumours were accurate¡ª she''s collaborating with a cultivator named Chen Ren, and they¡¯ve promised to sell perfumes at less than half our prices.¡±

    The lord''s eyes flicked upward at the mention, curiosity momentarily interrupting his languid repose.

    He took the pamphlet from the servant¡¯s outstretched hands, glancing down at the neatly printed prices and descriptions of fragrances. His lips curled into a mocking smirk as he examined the words

    ¡°Chen Ren, is it?¡± he muttered, still staring at the paper. ¡°What sect does he belong to? Could it be that the Soaring Sword Sect has decided to involve themselves with the Tang Clan now?¡±

    The servant hesitated before shaking his head. "No, my lord. The man is sectless. Our sources say he¡¯s little more than a stray dog in the cultivation world. His only claim to fame seems to be a noodle shop he started a few months back. And he isn¡¯t strong¡ª he lost to Li Xuan during the sect entrance examinations and nearly died. It¡¯s unlikely he¡¯ll have any significant backing or power."

    Bai Hu leaned back, letting out a deep, rumbling laugh that shook the air. His amusement was palpable, echoing through the chamber. He set the pipe back to his lips, taking another leisurely puff before speaking. "A noodle seller, you say? Tang Yuqiu, that brainless girl, partnering with some nobody who couldn¡¯t even make it into a proper sect? Ha! The Tang Clan must have grown truly desperate if they¡¯re allowing her to throw away money like this."

    His gaze turned sharp, disdain flickering in his eyes as he continued, ¡°It¡¯s strange enough that Tang Yuqiu¡¯s father dotes on her so much. She should have been married off by now, serving some political purpose, but instead, he¡¯s letting her play at being a merchant, burning his coffers in the process.¡± He paused, frowning at his own words. "Well, it¡¯s not my problem if he wants to ruin his own clan¡¯s finances. They¡¯ll pay for their folly soon enough."

    The servant cleared his throat, a hint of nervousness creeping into his voice. "What would you like us to do, my lord? Should we take any measures against this new shop?¡±

    Bai Hu waved a dismissive hand, the smoke from his pipe swirling around his fingers. "Keep a close eye on them, but I doubt it will matter. In a month, their little venture will be closed, mark my words. Let them enjoy their brief moment of hope. And try to find out if any sect is helping them with these perfumes. Even a sectless nobody could be playing a deeper game. Get me a few samples of those too.¡±

    The servant bowed again and hurriedly left, leaving Bai Hu alone with his thoughts.

    He took another slow draw from his pipe, letting the smoke seep into his lungs before releasing it in a steady stream. A lazy smirk played at his lips as he muttered to himself, ¡°Any low-level cultivator thinks they can just waltz into the business world and make a name for themselves. The foolish lot, always dreaming, never understanding the true nature of the market.¡±

    He chuckled, shaking his head as if amused by some private joke. In his mind, the outcome was already certain¡ª another upstart crushed beneath the weight of reality. And as the smoke curled in the air, it seemed to carry his confidence with it, drifting through the room like a shadow of his assuredness.

    ***

    A/N - Just came back from my brother''s wedding and got sick. That''s why the schedule has messed up. I will try to pick everything up by tomorrow. Thank you for the support.

 Chapter 25: Women and strategy

    Mei Lian was the thirtieth daughter of an elder of the Soaring Sword Sect, yet that grand title masked a much humbler truth. Her mother had been a commoner, an innkeeper¡¯s daughter who had nursed her father back to health after he was wounded outside the sect¡¯s mountain gates during a mission.

    It was a liaison born of fleeting gratitude on his part and hope on hers¡ª a brief affair that had resulted in her birth. But being a daughter of a big shot cultivator was no blessing for her.

    Her brother and sister, children of her father¡¯s favoured wives, had the elder¡¯s pride; she had only his name and, occasionally, a monthly allowance¡ª a gift from a man who viewed her as one of his many, many obligations.

    Even the day after it was discovered that she had some spark of cultivation talent, her father still gave her no extra attention.

    Unlike her siblings, she had average skills and wasn''t even admitted to the sect proper.

    ¡°A flower blooming on dry earth,¡± her father had called her, with a strange, cool distance that made her heart shrivel as she bowed before him.

    So, Mei Lian had turned from cultivation, her spirit bound not to lofty dreams of immortality but to simpler delights.

    When her mother lamented her lack of ambition, Mei Lian countered that the pursuit of life¡¯s pleasures was, in itself, a noble quest. Pretty dresses, laughter with friends, glances from young men, the hum of a flute at a late-night party¡ª she clung to these things as fiercely as her siblings clung to their swords and scrolls.

    Yet, recently, she¡¯d found herself drawn again and again to a place as humble as her mother¡¯s inn had once been: a small tea shop in the centre of the city.

    The shop had a warmth to it, the air filled with the fragrance of fresh tea leaves and ink-stained parchment. The source that took her attention, however, was not the tea itself but the stories told within its walls by an unusual young man named Chen Ren.

    Chen Ren was hardly remarkable at first glance other than his face¡ª average in stature, his robes plain like a normal cultivator. Yet he had the mind of a genius author.

    She had fallen in love with his novel ¡®Liang Shan¡¯ and ¡®Hua Yun¡¯, the tale of romance, valour and tragedy igniting a wistful longing in Mei Lian''s heart, one she hadn''t known she possessed. But it was only a start.

    Once he had found out that he had a small following, Chen Ren had started talking about different stories everyday. Out of all of them, she liked one named ¡®Ci De Rel'' the best.

    Even if the name was strange, the contents of it were like one of a dream about a concubine''s daughter''s romance with a prince, and hearing Chen Ren talk about it made her feel like such a thing had really happened once.

    She¡¯d found herself attending his readings daily, not just to hear the tales of love and tragedy but to watch the easy way he commanded his audience¡¯s attention.

    Each line, each carefully well-thought word seemed to echo through her mind even long after she¡¯d left the shop. And every time the tea shop¡¯s seats got filled with other affluent young ladies, she was one of the first to listen to his tales, and in some small way, that made her feel special. It gave her a sense of pride.

    This afternoon, she made her way to the tea shop with light steps again, her heart lifting in anticipation.

    As she entered, she found him where she had hoped, seated at the centre of a captivated crowd.

    Chen Ren¡¯s presence was magnetic, and though he sat with effortless calm, his gaze was unwavering. He answered each question thrown his way with his eyes alight, taking time to select his words before telling¡ª no, beautifully crafting yet another story. It was clear he revelled in his role as the shop¡¯s storyteller.

    Around him, young ladies of various stations leaned forward, and some young men sat a short distance away, casting envious glances at him and, occasionally, at her as she entered.

    She caught a few of those glances herself but brushed them aside, making her way toward Chen Ren. The voices softened as she drew near, and though he barely acknowledged her at first, she could almost feel his awareness of her presence.

    Today, perhaps, there would be another story that would keep her up at night in her delusions.

    As Mei Lian approached Chen Ren, she halted, catching an unexpected sweetness in the air.

    It was faint at first, like the barest hint of spring blossoms, but as she stepped closer, the scent grew stronger and richer, wrapping around her senses until she could barely think of anything else.

    Her eyes flickered down to the wooden bottles arranged before him, each one assembled neatly, with swirling patterns along their polished surfaces that signed at something rare and precious within. She noticed the symbol of a golden coin and dragon etched on their surface.

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze caught hers, and he lifted a hand in greeting, his lips curving into a smile that made her heart skip a beat.

    ¡°Mei Lian,¡± he called, his voice warm and inviting. ¡°You¡¯re finally here. I have something to show you.¡±

    She approached with curiosity, unable to resist asking, ¡°Is it... perfume you¡¯re wearing? I haven¡¯t smelled anything quite like it.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s smile deepened, and he gave a small, knowing nod.

    ¡°Of course you haven¡¯t,¡± he replied. ¡°You remember that scene from thestory I told last month, the one where Hua Yun wore a special fragrance during her second meeting with Liang Shan?¡±

    The memory sprang to life in her mind¡ª the daring mission that brought the star-crossed couple together, the female lead¡¯s bold choice to wear a rare perfume that left the male lead captivated, their paths colliding in secret under the moonlight.

    ¡°Yes, I remember,¡± she murmured, recalling how she and the other girls had sighed over the romantic tension of that scene. ¡°That perfume was a rare treasure¡ª its production method rumoured to be lost for centuries.¡±

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    ¡°Exactly.¡± Chen Ren¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°The method for creating it is long forgotten by most, but my clan once practised this art. These perfumes you see here¡­¡± he gestured to the wooden bottles, ¡°were made using the same technique. Even the priciest spiritual perfumes can¡¯t compare.¡±

    Curiosity drew her hand to one of the bottles, her fingers brushing the smooth wood as she carefully lifted it to her nose.

    The aroma that greeted her was even more intoxicating up close¡ª a blend of warmth, spice, and floral notes so perfectly balanced that it seemed to melt into her senses. She closed her eyes, savouring the fragrance, her pulse quickening as a soft blush warmed her cheeks.

    ¡°That one,¡± Chen Ren said with a faint grin, ¡°is called . It''s a blend of rare blossoms and subtle herbs that make it almost... irresistible. It has quite the effect on the opposite gender¡ª a nudge, if you will, toward a bit of extra attention.¡±

    Mei Lian¡¯s heart fluttered. She couldn¡¯t help the intrigue that bubbled within her at the thought. ¡°So¡­ if someone were to wear this around someone they liked, it might just work?¡±

    ¡°Precisely,¡± Chen Ren replied, his gaze meeting hers, steady and amused. ¡°Think of it as an ancient charm, refined to speak to the male heart. I don''t know if it will make the person fall for you, but they would certainly give you more than a look. I¡¯m sure there¡¯s someone each of you has in mind, after all.¡±

    At Chen Ren¡¯s words, a wave of murmurs and blushing faces swept through the crowd.

    Mei Lian could feel the weight of several gazes fixed on the bottle in her hands¡ª eager, almost predatory glances from the other girls who seemed to share her newly found interest in the perfume¡¯s promise. Even she couldn¡¯t help but wonder,

    Involuntarily, her thoughts drifted to Li Xuan, her father¡¯s favoured disciple and the son of the City Lord¡ª a man of notable standing and graceful bearing, one she had glimpsed only a handful of times but thought of more than she would ever admit.

    Compared to him, her standing was meagre, her cultivation weak; she was a flower in the shadows, hardly worthy of his gaze. But perhaps, just perhaps, this perfume could change things, giving her the boldness she¡¯d always lacked, perhaps even a chance to bridge the distance between them.

    Still contemplating, she looked at Chen Ren and asked, ¡°Are you selling these?¡±

    As if on cue, the other girls echoed her question, each of them leaning in eagerly.

    Chen Ren flashed them a charming smile, casually leaning back as if he hadn¡¯t just turned their thoughts upside down. ¡°Yes, indeed. I wouldn¡¯t keep such methods to myself¡ª it would be a shame if only I had kept the pleasure of such scents, right? So, I¡¯ve opened a perfume shop. Naturally, as a virtuous man who values fairness and has no desire to be greedy, I¡¯ve set the price modestly, at only five to eight silver wen for each bottle. I¡¯d be earning just enough to cover my costs, really.¡±

    Mei Lian¡¯s eyes widened. Five to eight silver wen? Her own perfumes, stored carefully at home, had cost her twenty-five silver wen each, far too precious to use liberally.

    Each bottle represented weeks of saving, her indulgences carefully rationed for only the most special of occasions. And yet here was Chen Ren, offering a perfume with charm and allure beyond anything she¡¯d worn, and for a mere fraction of the price.

    As she mulled this over, Chen Ren¡¯s voice drew her from her thoughts. ¡°So, how about it?¡± he asked, his tone as smooth as the fragrance lingering in the air. ¡°Would you all care to take a short walk to my shop? You can browse and see which perfumes suit you best.¡±

    The girls¡¯ excitement was palpable, some of them already half-rising from their seats in anticipation. Before anyone else could respond, Mei Lian blurted out, ¡°Yes, please!¡±

    The other girls quickly voiced their agreement, some flashing her envious glances as if she had been the first to discover a hidden treasure. Chen Ren chuckled softly, giving an amused look over them all. With a gesture that was equal parts flourish and invitation, he signalled them to follow him.

    ***

    Chen Ren stood in the middle of his perfume shop, surrounded by the wafting scents of floral and herbal blends that filled the air. His gaze drifted over the group of young misses clustered around, their faces flushed with excitement as they lifted the small bottles displayed, sampling them with an air of reverence.

    Some of them shot occasional glances toward the staff''s handsome features, who, to their credit, maintained a professional stance, allowing no interference beyond what was needed to assist.

    Chen Ren smirked inwardly, pleased with their discipline. The last thing he needed was anything untoward disrupting the sense of mystique he¡¯d worked so hard to create.

    It was almost laughable how easily it had all come together. Selling perfumes, as it turned out, was even simpler than selling noodles¡ª and it was all thanks to a single idea that had dawned on him when he¡¯d first found himself surrounded by those curious, enamoured young women at the tea shop.

    All he¡¯d needed to do was convince them that his perfumes were the same ones from the stories he''d told. A rare blend, a lost art¡ª these words were enough for them to follow him to his shop with starry eyes, ready to make him richer.

    Just as he was revelling in the success of his little scheme, he caught Tang Yuqiu¡¯s gaze from across the room, her expression somewhere between amusement and suspicion. The look was enough to prompt a raised eyebrow from him.

    ¡°What¡¯s that look about?¡± he asked, unable to hold back a smirk.

    Tang Yuqiu folded her arms. ¡°Oh, nothing. It¡¯s just... for a moment, I almost forgot you were a hedonist,¡± she replied, a hint of teasing in her tone. ¡°The way you¡¯ve been acting these past few weeks, I half-expected you¡¯d forgotten it too. But it seems I was wrong.¡±

    Chen Ren chuckled, feigning offence as he tilted his head. ¡°Now, is that supposed to be a compliment or an insult?¡±

    ¡°Both,¡± she shot back, grinning. Her gaze shifted to the young ladies, each lost in her own cloud of fragrance. ¡°Though, I have to admit, you¡¯ve surprised me. How on earth did you manage to gather this crowd? I know a few of them¡ª they¡¯re not the type to just fool around with any guy.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no fooling around here,¡± he answered smoothly, as if offended by the suggestion. ¡°I happen to frequent the same tea shop as them, and, well, I simply befriended them. A few words, a hint of promise, a sample or two, and they were ready to come see the real thing.¡± He cast a meaningful glance over the crowd, his eyes gleaming with a quiet confidence. ¡°But the real business starts now.¡±

    She tilted her head, intrigued. ¡°And what exactly does that mean?¡±

    A sense of satisfaction filled him with her question, but it wasn¡¯t just about the perfumes; it was about the next step. He glanced at Tang Yuqiu, his lips curling into a faint smile.

    ¡°Word of mouth,¡± he said, gesturing subtly toward the ladies. ¡°These young misses will go to parties and gatherings, and others will notice the scents. It¡¯ll spread to the ladies in their families, then their friends¡ª and soon, everyone will know. Between that and the pamphlets we are already distributing, it won¡¯t be long before the middle-class ladies are drawn in too. If you don''t know, the middle class always wants to appear richer than what they are and our prices are low enough for them to have that chance. And once that happens, we¡¯ll barely have enough staff to keep up with the demand.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu raised an eyebrow, her scepticism clear. ¡°Sounds like a dream.¡±

    He chuckled. ¡°Well, it¡¯s happening right in front of you.¡± His gaze sharpened. ¡°But don¡¯t forget what I said before¡ª vultures will come. We¡¯re eating into their market share, and they won¡¯t let that go without a fight. They¡¯ll try to block us or copy our methods. Their prices are too high for anyone but the wealthy, so they can¡¯t compete with what we¡¯re offering here.¡±

    She considered his words, nodding slowly. ¡°So you¡¯re sure they¡¯ll retaliate?¡±

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m certain,¡± he replied confidently. ¡°If this goes the way I think it will, we¡¯ll take a big chunk of their market and expand it at the same time. But I have to admit.¡± His eyes glinted with amusement. ¡°I¡¯d love to be there when they finally realise what¡¯s happening. I¡¯m sure they¡¯re just expecting us to flop. Imagine their faces in a week when they see our business flourishing and realise it¡¯s already too late.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu stifled a laugh, smirking as she looked at him. ¡°That would be funny and we will be ready when they come for us.¡± S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°Oh, we will,¡± he replied smoothly, his voice steady as he watched the customers around them. ¡°In the meantime, let¡¯s see just how far word of mouth will take us.¡±

 Chapter 26: Xianxia staple young master

    The week flew by in a flurry of scents, simmering broths, physical training and evening reading. His attention was required for one thing after another, or sometimes, two or more things at the same time.

    Chen Ren had hoped that this cultivation world might have had its own sense of time¡ªperhaps longer hours or slower days¡ª but it turned out that even here, a day only granted twenty-four hours.

    With his noodle stall running each morning, perfume shop drawing an endless stream of eager customers, training with Yalan and late nights spent poring over dusty scrolls in the teahouse, he barely had a moment to breathe, let alone some alone time.

    Even the thought itself made him sigh out loud.

    Were it not for Tang Xiulan, who was handling the busy hours at the stall and the children continuing the marketing process as they had been told, or Tang Yuqiu and her staff managing the perfume shop¡¯s customers¡¯ demands, he would have been stretched to his breaking point.

    If anything, it had been humbling to know that even with his cultivation, he still had his limits. He realised that true power wasn''t in individual strength, but having people to rely on.

    Even if he couldn''t trust everyone with his secrets, there were enough people that he could delegate tasks that he didn''t want to do himself.

    His thoughts frequently drifted to forming his own sect, to have a force of loyal individuals to carry out his will, protect his interests and push his vision forward. But the price tag for even beginning to establish a sect was steep.

    The going rate was ten low grade spirit stones, a fortune he hadn¡¯t yet amassed. One low-grade spirit stone alone was worth about one hundred silver wen¡ª an amount that might sustain a family of four for a few months. And with two businesses that he had just started and the debt to Feng Ming that he hadn¡¯t cleared, he had no extra wen lying around to invest in a sect. Not until he started to get the profit from his perfume business.

    For now, that dream would have to remain on hold.

    He would look for ways to get into an unofficial sect status for the time being. Yet with all the busy days and never-ending customers, there was one other change that hadn''t been expected¡ª a noticeable shift in his own cultivation.

    At first, it was a subtle pulse, a faint ripple of qi awakening within him whenever his perfume shop made a sale.

    He could barely feel its power, but weirdly enough, he somehow knew that it had always been there. It felt somewhat like an organ¡ª like a part of him.

    But with each passing day, every time he witnessed how more customers filled in with an eagerness that quite matched his enthusiasm about his businesses, the pulse strengthened like it absorbed something from the growing popularity around him.

    Unsurprisingly, Yalan had also taken notice.

    One afternoon, Chen Ren stood behind the counter of his perfume shop, a quiet satisfaction settling over him as he watched the bustling scene before him. His gaze swept across the crowd, each person moving with purpose through the newly displayed batches of perfumes. At least twenty women of all ages browsed the shelves, their eyes lighting up as they took in the liquids that glistened like jewels in the soft afternoon light.

    He couldn¡¯t help but notice how some of them hesitated near the more exclusive perfume bottles¡ª the ones that sat on polished wooden stands, slightly elevated above the rest.

    Those were priced higher, their labels embossed with noticeable silver lettering, each scent more luxurious than the last. Fingers hovered, eyes lingered, and Chen Ren could see the spark of temptation flickering within them.

    The white-furred cat sat primly on the countertop beside him, her amber eyes blinking slowly as she followed his eyes. But it seemed that the bustling customers weren''t her concern.

    Yalan noted, her tail swishing elegantly.

    Chen Ren¡¯s attention was immediately withdrawn from the customers.

    Chen Ren¡¯s mouth tilted into a smirk, his eyes once again going back to the patrons that milled around, sniffing perfumes and discussing their favourite scent among the ones that were there. Tang Yuqiu and her staff moved briskly, trying to keep up with the influx of customers.

    The middle-class ladies had arrived just as he¡¯d planned, dressed in their simpler clothing but with eyes just as eager as the more affluent young misses. He saw a trio among the crowd even trying to push other women away to get to try out one of the scents. He could only hope that there would be no bloodshed. But anyway, the word of mouth had done its work, bringing them to his door without so much as a single gold coin spent on advertisements.

    Chen Ren glanced at Yalan, his thoughts stirring as he observed the faint glow of the qi entering his body. he spoke internally, watching the cat as she stretched lazily atop the counter.

    Yalan tilted her head and gave him a wry look. she purred, and answered him through his mind.

    Chen Ren let out a soft, wry chuckle. If someone looked at him, it would appear as if he was laughing alone and would term him as crazy. Thankfully, everyone was busy doing their own stuff, some more serious than the others. He quickly composed himself and looked at Yalan.

    Yalan¡¯s eyes gleamed, and her whiskers twitched with amusement.

    He shook his head. He could think of a lot of scenarios where the will of mortals could overpower cultivators. Even if this world didn''t have anything such as firearms, bombs and nukes, there were a lot of influential mortals too.

    Yalan gave him an odd look.

    Before Chen Ren could respond and go over the history of his own world where guns had changed the whole warring scene, a middle aged woman in modest but neatly kept robes approached the counter, holding a perfume bottle with an air of curiosity. Her height was what he noticed at first.

    She was extremely tall, taller than Chen Ren, but he could tell that she was a mortal. And not a wealthy one.

    Her eyes lingered on him for a few seconds. He cleared his throat, and she immediately broke her trance and nodded to the bottle in her hands.

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    ¡°Hello,¡± she said, her voice laced with hesitance. ¡°Could you tell me the price of this? And¡­ perhaps a bit about its qualities?¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes brightened with a salesman¡¯s zeal, and he leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice just enough to capture the woman¡¯s attention. ¡°This fragrance is designed to leave a subtle, lingering impression on others. Some even say it has a faint charm for drawing admiration from the opposite gender. Let''s say it makes you smell.. Mysterious. People will take a second look at you¡­ And the best part? It is only eight wen!¡±

    The woman¡¯s cheeks tinged with a rosy blush, and she chuckled, slightly embarrassed. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s¡­ charming, but I¡¯m hardly in my youth anymore for such tricks.¡±

    Chen Ren frowned at that. ¡°Youth? What does that entail to you because you look great¡­ and madam, if I were seeking someone, I¡¯d be honoured to ask for your hand.¡± He delivered it smoothly, a practised compliment with just enough sincerity to make her laugh, a delighted twinkle in her eye.

    ¡°Oh, you are a charmer!¡± she said, the blush deepening as she fished out her silver and placed it on the counter. She glanced down at Yalan, her hand extending to pet the cat.

    Yalan¡¯s tail flicked in warning, and with an indignant hiss, she ducked just out of reach. The woman quickly withdrew her hand, casting Chen Ren an apologetic look as she bustled out of the shop. It happened too quickly as the woman practically fled from the shop.

    Once she was gone, Chen Ren raised an eyebrow at Yalan.

    Yalan sniffed, grooming her fur with a practised swipe of her tongue. She held her head high.

    Chen Ren chuckled, shaking his head with amusement. But the moment didn¡¯t last; his laughter faded as he caught sight of Tang Yuqiu weaving her way purposefully through the shop, slipping between customers with her usual grace and stopping in front of a worker.

    They talked for a brief moment and her expression shifted. Almost as on cue, she looked directly at Chen Ren and started marching towards him.

    There was an urgency in her stride, a subtle tension in the set of her shoulders. When their eyes met again, her gaze locked onto his. Chen Ren felt a ripple of curiosity stir within him. Whatever the worker had told her there, wasn¡¯t a small matter.

    He straightened, his casual stance shifting as he prepared himself for the news she clearly carried.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± he asked, attempting to keep his voice steady from sounding too curious.

    Tang Yuqiu stepped closer and said with a low voice. ¡°I just received a report. The Bai Hu Trade Association¡¯s head isn¡¯t pleased. It seems they¡¯ve noticed our little shop¡¯s success.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s expression darkened slightly. ¡°And the Cang Clan? They¡¯re bound to have caught wind by now too.¡±

    ¡°They are watching us quietly, but I don''t think they will do anything. Their perfume business is just one of their many holdings, and they¡¯re not eager to lose any relationship with the Tang Clan. But Bai Hu¡­ he doesn¡¯t care. Their entire brand revolves around perfumes, so he can¡¯t afford to just sit back while we grow. It¡¯s only a matter of time before they make a move.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded. ¡°So it begins. One week of peace and prosperity was more than I expected.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu looked at him expectantly. ¡°So¡­ what do you plan to do?¡±

    ¡°For now? Nothing,¡± Chen Ren said with a casual shrug, though a glint of calculation sparked in his eyes. ¡°We¡¯ve prepared for most things they might attempt, but their opening move will reveal the rest of their strategy. They can¡¯t come at us legally, so they¡¯re left with a handful of unsavoury options: try to sabotage our supply chain, poach our staff to sniff out our methods, tarnish our reputation with slander, or¡­ resort to a full-blown assault.¡± He paused, his gaze sharpening as his thoughts spun. ¡°Or maybe they¡¯ll try all of them at once. If they¡¯re rattled enough, they¡¯ll throw everything they¡¯ve got our way.¡±

    A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. ¡°But no matter what angle they take, it¡¯s going to be interesting to watch them squirm.¡±

    His fingers tapped on the countertop in a rhythmic beat, as if already counting down the inevitable.

    ***

    The tension in the Bai Hu Trade Association¡¯s headquarters was thick enough to cut with a knife. President Bai Hu slammed his fist down on the polished mahogany table, causing a stack of reports to scatter, their pages fluttering in the sudden silence. His face was red with fury, and his sharp gaze swept over the assembled staff, each word he spoke laced with rage.

    ¡°How could this happen?¡± he barked, his voice echoing inside his office. ¡°Over a hundred customers in just a week buying from them!¡± he snarled, his voice thick with disbelief and simmering anger. ¡°Even high society is abuzz with talk of these so-called ¡®new perfumes.¡¯ Most of them wouldn¡¯t touch the stuff themselves, of course¡ª they consider the low price beneath them! But then tell me, how in the heavens are they managing to sell so much? Are the middle class just buying anything now?¡±

    He threw a scornful look at the perfume samples scattered on the table, eyes narrowing as if each bottle mocked him with its success. ¡°Have they found some secret formula to draw in customers by the droves? Can anyone explain this absurdity to me?¡±

    A junior associate tentatively raised his hand, clearing his throat before he spoke. He visibly shrank back to his seat when Bai Hu¡¯s eyes fell on him.

    ¡°Speak!¡±

    ¡°Sir, like you said, it''s mostly due to their appeal among middle-class women. The prices make it affordable, and their numbers are high. Even if they¡¯ve barely grazed our upper-tier clientele, they¡¯re pulling in a whole new market segment.¡±

    ¡°Market segment,¡± Bai Hu snarled, his fists clenching. ¡°I fucking couldn¡¯t care less about segments. The longer they¡¯re out there selling, the closer they get to producing something aimed at our premium brands, and when they do¡­ they¡¯ll eat into our market share. That rogue cultivator is making a fool of us!¡± S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    He seized a bottle his staff had managed to acquire from Heavenly Fragrances, holding it up with a look of utter disdain. Turning it over in his hand, he scrutinised the plain wooden casing and the design of the golden coin with the dragon around it, his lips curling in disgust. ¡°Look at this!¡± he sneered, voice dripping with contempt. ¡°Not a single trace of qi, not a whisper of spiritual energy¡ª nothing! And yet it¡¯s selling like wildfire! How are they pulling this off with something so¡­ ordinary?¡±

    He huffed, setting the bottle down with an angry clink as he continued, ¡°It¡¯s absurd! Those middle-class women have no discernment at all¡ªthey don¡¯t care about spiritual refinement, only that they smell better than a street rat!¡± The thought gnawed at him, his fingers tapping furiously on the table as he spat, ¡°They might as well be selling coloured water in a glass jar, and those fools would still line up to buy it!¡±

    President Bai Hu¡¯s staff exchanged glances, their tension palpable as they hesitated before one brave soul stepped forward, voice wary but steady. ¡°So¡­ what should we do, sir?¡±

    Bai Hu¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he took a deep breath, the frustration in his expression slowly giving way to something more calculating. He clenched and unclenched his fists, feeling the anger running through every cell of his body. But he must control his feelings¡ªhe needed to be logical. ¡°I¡¯m thinking,¡± he replied.

    At that moment, the door opened with a quiet click, and a tall, striking young man strode in.

    His features were a reflection of Bai Hu¡¯s own, only younger, sharper, and cut with an elegance that drew a second look. Dark eyes glittered beneath perfectly arched brows, and a confident smirk played across his lips as he bowed in respect. "Father, allow me to take care of this matter."

    Bai Hu¡¯s eyebrows shot up, his gaze hardening. ¡°And what exactly are you saying, Bai Shen? You do realise this isn¡¯t some trivial issue. It¡¯s a business threat¡ª one I can¡¯t afford to let slide.¡±

    Bai Shen met his father¡¯s intense gaze with an unflinching calm. ¡°I¡¯m aware, Father. That¡¯s precisely why I want to handle it. All I¡¯ve been doing is just overseeing some of our shops. It¡¯s time I learn to face real competition. If I am to take over the Bai Hu Trade Association someday, I need this experience. Please, let me handle this.¡±

    A flicker of thought passed through Bai Hu¡¯s eyes as he weighed his son¡¯s words. He was right, he needed this experience and if Bai Hu knew anything, it was that they both were cut from the same cloth. Like him, his son wouldn¡¯t hold back at any kinds of threat. After a long moment, he nodded, his voice slow and firm.

    ¡°Very well, then. You¡¯re free to proceed as you see fit. But be clear-minded and deliberate. I want Heavenly Fragrances out of business as soon as possible. Understood?¡±

    Bai Shen¡¯s smirk widened as he gave a slight bow. ¡°I understand perfectly, Father. I¡¯ll make sure they¡¯re wiped off the map.¡± He straightened, his voice carrying a quiet conviction, and without further words, he turned and left the office.

    The rest of the staff looked at his fleeting back, taking a sigh of relief, thinking they had escaped their boss'' screaming.

    ***

    Outside, Bai Shen stopped on the stone steps, his gaze lifting to the skies. The clouds were thick, covering the sun as it struggled to pierce through. He smirked, his eyes dark with a simmering ambition.

    ¡°Tang Yuqiu,¡± he muttered under his breath, voice laced with venom, ¡°you dared to turn down my proposal, only to seek solace with some rogue cultivator. You think you can rise without me? Foolish. I¡¯ll see to it that you fall¡ª and fall hard.¡± His fingers clenched, his voice dropping to a whisper. ¡°When that day comes, the only hand you¡¯ll reach for will be mine. And when I have you, the Tang Clan will fall to me as well.¡±

    With a final smirk, Bai Shen turned on his heel, his stride confident, already savouring the power he envisioned within his grasp.

 Chapter 27: Absolute Might

    Heavenly Fragrances grew larger with each passing day. The name itself became familiar in the city¡¯s middle-class households. The rapid development within such a short time was unusual, but Chen Ren had expected this would happen. What had started as whispers of an exotic yet affordable perfume soon became an uproar. Each happy customer seemed to pull another into its fold, and soon, Heavenly Fragrances was on every discerning lady''s lips¡ª quite literally, a scent too captivating to ignore.

    The social circles of the middle-class women, notorious for their close-knit networks and strong influence, became a web for the perfume¡¯s fame to flourish.

    Something common with these sorts of circles was that they wouldn¡¯t hype up just product, and when they did¡ª it became the talk of their gatherings, regaling each other with stories of compliments they received, and the sense of sophistication the perfume imparted.

    The fragrance was no longer just a simple luxury; it was now a trend that every middle class woman should have.

    So eager not to fall behind, more women found themselves splurging on the fragrant indulgence. Some spent more than they could comfortably afford, all for the allure of being part of this new trend.

    A single bottle of Heavenly Fragrances had quickly become more than just a scent¡ª it was a statement, a piece of prestige, and every woman who wore it felt just a little bit more enchanted.

    A chain reaction had begun, and every purchase, every conversation, rippled outward, drawing in more and more. But Chen Ren didn¡¯t sit back and let word of mouth do all the work.

    He actively drove the demand, laying down the foundation for Heavenly Fragrances¡¯ growing fame.

    The initial wave of interest had come from his strategic pamphlets and the tea house promotion, where his marketing through his stories had paved the way.

    Mei Lin''s small crew had been hired to distribute the pamphlets around the city, especially near the residential streets where most of the middle class lived. Yet he knew that to sustain momentum, he would need more than just initial curiosity.

    The tea shop promotion had a limited reach, with mostly upper-class ladies visiting regularly, and while they had shown some interest, the perfumes had yet to gain a strong foothold in elite circles.

    This left Chen Ren considering his next steps. If the tea house had helped plant the seeds, then he would need other community hubs to see his idea fully bloom. So, he decided to take his marketing efforts further, focusing on areas where groups of women gathered together regularly.

    ***

    Standing outside a small seamstress¡¯s shop, Chen Ren crossed his arms and observed the scene inside. Through the open doors, he could see women gathered in clusters, their chatter filling the air as they waited for their clothes to be mended.

    An elderly seamstress sat in the centre, her hands deftly weaving stitches into a worn robe. Yet, for once, the women¡¯s eyes were not on the seamstress¡¯s skillful hands. Instead, they were all focused on Tang Xiulan, who stood confidently in the middle of the room, her calm presence commanding their attention. She stood straight, her hands moving in the air every time she spoke¡ª but her movements were graceful, well-rehearsed, if anything.

    From his position, Chen Ren couldn¡¯t make out every word, but he could see the spell she was weaving on her audience. Tang Xiulan held one of Heavenly Fragrances¡¯ bottles in her hand, her fingers gliding gracefully over its simple yet elegant design. Her smile was warm and inviting as she tilted the bottle, and one of the ladies gasped softly, eyes widening with interest.

    The ladies murmured excitedly among themselves, nudging one another with anticipation as they watched Tang Xiulan.

    Chen Ren could see how carefully she controlled the moment, waiting until the woman''s attention was thoroughly piqued before explaining the scent. Her natural charm was working wonders, and from the way the ladies hung on her every word, he could already imagine half of them purchasing a bottle by the end of the afternoon.

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips curved into a satisfied smile. He folded his arms and let out a low chuckle to himself. Heavenly Fragrances might have started as an experiment, but it was quickly turning into his strongest asset.

    He watched patiently as Tang Xiulan charmed the small crowd in the shop, her words soft and compelling as she shared the tales behind Heavenly Fragrances'' latest scent.

    He noticed that even from a distance, a faint but captivating aroma surrounded her, lingering in the air and adding an effortless allure to her presence. In the end, she took out one of their newer scents¡ª Swan¡¯s Velvet.

    The wooden bottle was filled with a scent that would make anyone take a second look at the wearer¡ª sweet, floral, and enchanting. She muttered something and twisted the bottle for the ladies to see. Then, she extended it to arm¡¯s length and sprinkled once, twice, and thrice.

    The ladies around her gasped and clutched each other, some even closing their eyes and inhaling deeply.

    The exaggerated reaction made Chen Ren smile. The newest perfume always had that effect on them, no matter where they went.

    He turned around from looking inside the shop and waited for Tang Xiulan to come out. Soon, the floral scent filled his nostrils and looked back to see her petite figure.

    ¡°How did that go?¡± Chen Ren asked.

    She immediately wiped a bit of sweat from her forehead, exhaling a small sigh as she looked up at Chen Ren. ¡°Young master, please tell me that was the last shop. I think I¡¯ve talked about perfumes enough for an entire month¡ª I¡¯m exhausted.¡±

    Chen Ren smiled, nodding approvingly. ¡°You did an amazing job, Xiulan. And yes, that was the last one for today. I believe that should be more than enough to keep the word spreading for now.¡± His gaze shifted back toward the women now buzzing amongst themselves. ¡°The way they were looking at you, I could practically see the envy in their eyes. It¡¯s clear they noticed how nice you smelled.¡±

    She chuckled and nodded. ¡°They were. And when I mentioned how things between me and my husband had been going so well since I started using it, they looked like they¡¯d make a beeline to Heavenly Fragrances the second they left here.¡± She gave a small laugh, then sighed. ¡°I suppose I¡¯m getting better at lying or as you call it¡ª Stretching the truth.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s grin widened as he nodded knowingly. ¡°It¡¯s all part of business. Besides, we¡¯re not lying about the quality of the product itself. It¡¯s just good storytelling.¡± He paused, glancing at the street beyond the shop. ¡°Let¡¯s head back. I think you¡¯ve more than earned a break today.¡±

    She raised an eyebrow, looking slightly concerned. ¡°What about the stall? I closed it before coming here, but won¡¯t we miss the evening wave?¡±

    Chen Ren shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s just one evening. We¡¯ll manage without it, and you¡¯ve been working hard lately. You should get some rest.¡±

    Tang Xiulan seemed to relax a bit, her usual brisk frontier softened. ¡°Well¡­ thank you, Young Master. I¡¯ll be ready to start again right where I left off tomorrow.¡±

    She nodded at her own words, and they continued down the bustling street toward the store.

    As they walked, Chen Ren glanced at her, a slight guilt tightening his chest. Yes, he wanted money¡ª plenty of it, in fact¡ªbut he understood that the true lifeblood of a successful business lay in the well-being of its people.

    The health, both physical and mental, of everyone working alongside him mattered far more than the allure of quick profits. He could see the toll the long hours were taking on Tang Xiulan; she had been managing the stall on her own far too often, juggling the demands of customers and the intricacies of the business without a moment¡¯s rest.

    Today, allowing her a break felt like a small, yet significant step toward easing his conscience.

    It was a chance for her to recharge, to step back from the relentless pace they had set, and it felt right.

    He knew that a content and well-rested employee was far more valuable than a few extra coins in the till. As he watched her wipe the sweat from her brow, he felt a swell of determination; if he was to build something lasting and meaningful, he needed to ensure that the people who helped him achieve that were supported and cared for, not just as workers, but as individuals with their own lives and needs.

    They continued to walk. Although a silence threatened to come between them, Tang Xiulan broke it by talking about the recent developments.

    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    ¡°The Bai Hu Trade Association has been awfully quiet for the last two days. Do you think they¡¯re letting this go?¡± she said, a touch of concern in her voice.

    Chen Ren shook his head thoughtfully. ¡°No, I doubt it. They¡¯re definitely up to something; we just don¡¯t know what yet. They¡¯re probably trying to gather information¡ª figuring out if any sect is backing us and getting a feel for our resources. We use such a different method from what they know that it¡¯s bound to raise questions. But sooner or later, they¡¯ll make their move.¡±

    She nodded, smiling slightly. ¡°You¡¯re good at coming up with possible theories of what might happen.¡±

    He chuckled. ¡°I just try to consider every possible angle. It¡¯s a habit I picked up in school.¡±

    Xiulan tilted her head curiously. ¡°School?¡±

    For a brief moment, Chen Ren hesitated, he spoke too soon. Schools weren''t common in this world and only the wealthier clans or scholar households knew how to read and write, and passed it to their children through private lessons. But the feeling soon turned to a pang of homesickness. ¡°Yeah¡­ there was one in the city I was born in,¡± he said vaguely, glancing ahead as the storefront came into view. ¡°But anyway, let¡¯s see how the store is doing today.¡±

    he mentally patted himself in the back and entered Heavenly Fragrances.

    The shop still had a few customers, checking over the perfumes with the staff gently explaining everything about them, but rather than them, his eyes focused more on Tang Yuqiu at the counter, her brow furrowed in concentration as she spoke with an older man.

    He knew who the man was¡ª Elder Qiu, the leader of the gathering community they were using to procure herbs.

    Elder Qiu had his arms crossed in front of him as he spoke in a very low tone¡ª his voice just enough for only the pair to hear. His expression matched Tang Yuqiu¡¯s serious expression, and the two appeared deep in conversation, exchanging words that seemed to weigh heavily between them.

    Chen Ren¡¯s heart sank as he observed the intensity of their discussion. One look at their serious expressions told him everything he needed to know: something had gone wrong.

    He turned to Tang Xiulan, ¡°Looks like one of the scenarios I thought of has already come knocking.¡±

    ***

    Chen Ren, Tang Yuqiu, and Elder Qiu stepped back a bit, allowing the extremely lively store¡¯s noise to fade as they moved into a quieter corner, inside their storage room. Chen Ren observed Elder Qiu¡¯s worried expression and waited, letting the older man gather his words.

    ¡°I¡¯m assuming another group of gatherers has started taking all the herbs we need,¡± Chen Ren said, prompting him.

    Elder Qiu gave a heavy nod, his expression darkening as he leaned closer. ¡°Yes, Young Master, they turned up just yesterday, but they¡¯re relentless¡ª practically stripping the area of every useful herb. As it stands, no permit is needed for these common plants, so by law, they have every right to gather them¡­ but they¡¯ve taken it further. They¡¯ve positioned themselves in all our regular gathering spots, intercepting us and making it clear that any attempt to collect there will be met with consequences.¡± He hesitated, a glint of frustration in his eyes. ¡°They don¡¯t just imply retribution; they threaten it outright if any of us so much as set foot nearby.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu¡¯s eyes narrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°Have you gone to the city guards about it?¡±

    ¡°We have, but they refused to help,¡± Elder Qiu replied, frustration seeping into his voice. ¡°They claim their duty ends at the city limits and won¡¯t risk venturing into the forest to interfere. All they know, the men haven¡¯t broken any laws.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu scowled, her brow furrowing deeply. ¡°Perhaps we could send the Tang Clan guards with you?¡±

    Elder Qiu considered her offer, nodding slowly. ¡°It would help, Miss Yuqiu¡­ but I worry it might just escalate things into a full confrontation. Their numbers are significant¡ª about three dozen, quite a few of them are heavily armed. If we can¡¯t access our usual areas, we¡¯d have to go deeper into the forest, and that would bring the risk of higher-tier beasts.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded at Elder Qiu, understanding where he was coming from. If they sent guards with him, a conflict was surely going to start and the gathering community would be caught pretty badly in it.

    He didn''t want such a thing.

    ¡°For now, stay clear of them. Focus on identifying who they are and report back,¡± Chen Ren said. ¡°We¡¯ll give you further instructions once we know what we¡¯re dealing with.¡±

    With a respectful nod, Elder Qiu departed, leaving Chen Ren and Tang Yuqiu in a thoughtful silence. Chen Ren¡¯s gaze hardened as he turned to her. ¡°Looks like I was right. They¡¯re targeting our supply lines.¡±

    She nodded, looking troubled. ¡°I could still send our guards, but three dozen is no small number. A confrontation might not end well for us.¡±

    Chen Ren smiled faintly. ¡°Seems the Bai Hu Trade Association isn¡¯t underestimating us anymore. But that¡¯s exactly why we secured several months¡¯ worth of supplies in advance. They¡¯ll find it harder than they think to hurt us.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu¡¯s eyes gleamed with a mixture of admiration and relief as she nodded, her confidence in him visibly reinforced.

    Her lips curved into a nod of approval as Chen Ren opened the hefty container that was in the back of them. Inside, tightly packed heaps of dried herbs filled the space, their subtle, earthy scents mixing in the air. Chen Ren smirked, tapping the side of the container before gesturing around the room, where similar crates were stacked nearly to the ceiling, filled with months¡¯ worth of essential supplies.

    ¡°If the Bai Hu Trade Association thinks they can stop us by cutting off our supplies,¡± he said with a glint of confidence in his eye, ¡°they¡¯re in for a surprise.¡±

    As he inspected the crates, he turned back to Tang Yuqiu. ¡°So, how¡¯s the planting coming along?¡±

    A hint of pride sparkled in her eyes. ¡°Better than expected, actually. We¡¯ve successfully planted common herb varieties around our rice fields. They¡¯re taking well to the soil, growing strong on the northern side of the city where we¡¯ve fortified our lands. It¡¯s safe from Bai Hu Trade association¡¯s reach, too.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s grin widened, satisfaction blooming across his face. They¡¯d planned this well.

    From the start, he¡¯d anticipated the possibility of trouble with supply chains, especially from a competitor as large and well-established as the Bai Hu Trade Association. It was why he¡¯d pressed Tang Yuqiu to invest in a significant stockpile, securing enough herbs to meet production demands for several months. It had been a large investment, one that had initially seemed excessive, but he¡¯d insisted, confident that preparation would give them an upper hand.

    And he hadn''t just left it at that. There had been a second plan which was the plantation.

    By redirecting resources to plant common herbs within the Tang Clan¡¯s rice farms, they¡¯d established a long-term, self-sustaining source of supply. In a few months, by the time their stored herbs ran low, those plants would be ready for harvest. Their supply would be safe, secure, and best of all¡ª untouchable by their competition.

    ¡°Good work, Yuqiu,¡± he said, his tone approving. ¡°Once those herbs are ready, we¡¯ll be nearly untouchable. They¡¯ll have wasted all their efforts, and we¡¯ll still be growing.¡± Chen Ren smirked, a glint of mischief in his eye as he crossed his arms. ¡°Let¡¯s see how they react once they realise choking our supply chain doesn¡¯t even make a dent.¡±

    ***

    In a spacious room, Bai Shen sat in a high-backed chair, surrounded by crates stacked with bundles of fresh herbs. Their earthy and potent scents filled the air, mingling into a thick, pungent aroma that only deepened his irritation. He rubbed his forehead, his fingers pressing hard against his temple as if willing his thoughts to untangle. Instead, the smell seemed to cling to him, amplifying the tense atmosphere in the room.

    His narrowed gaze shifted to the staff member standing stiffly before him, the man visibly uneasy under Bai Shen¡¯s scrutinising stare. Shadows from the sparse candlelight cast across the staff member¡¯s face, catching the nervous flicker in his eyes as he waited for Bai Shen to speak.

    ¡°Speak now, can you? I don¡¯t pay you to stay mute.¡± Bai Shen sighed loudly.

    ¡°Sir,¡± the staff began, his voice filled with uneasiness as he looked at him. ¡°Today, around fifty customers bought items from Heavenly Fragrances. It seems that much of the middle class is now aware of them, and there¡¯s been a rush as people are eager to get their perfumes. The sales are high, and we¡¯re expecting the momentum might slow down and stabilise¡ª but for some reason, their products are practically flying off the shelves.¡±

    Bai Shen clenched his fists on the armrest, a dark look settling over his face. ¡°A week has passed since we took over their supply chain, stopping the gatherers from accessing the herbs they need. How are they still producing so much?¡± He paused, his frustration evident as he mulled over the problem. ¡°Did they start out with a year¡¯s stockpile?¡±

    The staff¡¯s face remained neutral, but the tension was clear as he continued, ¡°We haven¡¯t been able to confirm that, sir. So far, any attempts to find out have led us nowhere.¡±

    His jaw clenched at the outcome of his plan. ¡°What about their employees? Have you had any success convincing someone to switch sides?¡±

    The staff looked hesitant, but he cleared his throat and said, ¡°We¡¯ve reached out to three of them so far, but none have shown any willingness to switch loyalties or reveal the formula, no matter how much we offer. It seems all of them are longstanding Tang family employees, and they¡¯re well-compensated. Even when we attempted¡­ additional encouragement¡ª they refused to say a word.¡±

    Bai Shen¡¯s frown deepened, his irritation growing. ¡°They were that loyal?¡±

    The staff hesitated, then nodded. ¡°We suspect they¡¯ve been bound by a qi oath, sir. Breaking that oath would have severe repercussions, possibly even death. They¡¯re steadfast in their silence.¡± S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    For a moment, Bai Shen¡¯s fingers drummed against the wooden armrest, the taps echoing in the quiet room.

    Bai Shen¡¯s eyes narrowed, his lips pulling into a sneer. ¡°Then offer them a price worth forfeiting their lives for. We need that formula,¡± he hissed, fingers tapping irritably against the arm of his chair. ¡°Heavenly Fragrances is eating into the middle-class market share that we were never able to tap before, and that needs to stop.¡±

    The staff member, who had already been shifting uncomfortably, looked down, exhaling quietly before speaking. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ no longer possible, sir,¡± he admitted cautiously. ¡°After the threats we issued, they¡¯re practically impossible to approach. They have guards hanging around them now.¡±

    Bai Shen¡¯s irritation boiled over. ¡°Useless, all of you!¡± In a swift motion, he grabbed a handful of herbs from a nearby crate and hurled them toward the staff member. Leaves and stems scattered through the air, and the man barely managed to dodge, stumbling back against the crates lining the wall. ¡°Every move I make is thwarted¡ª everything is falling apart! I can¡¯t work like this!¡±

    The staff quickly collected himself, swallowing as he ventured, ¡°Young Master Shen, it¡¯s known that the cultivator Chen Ren carries quite a few debts. Perhaps we could acquire them and gain leverage over the business through that?¡±

    Bai Shen¡¯s cold gaze flicked to the staff, who flinched slightly under the intensity of it. ¡°You think I haven¡¯t considered that?¡± His voice was icy. ¡°I already reached out to every creditor holding Chen Ren¡¯s debts. But those cowards refused, saying they didn¡¯t want to involve themselves. And I have no doubt it¡¯s that old fox Tang Jihao pulling the strings behind the scenes, making sure no one dares cross his daughter¡¯s business.¡±

    ¡°Then¡­ what now, sir?¡± the staff asked, eyes downcast.

    Bai Shen rose to his feet in slow motion, adjusting his sleeves. He pursed his lips and stood taller. ¡°Since I can¡¯t sever their supply line or buy out their employees, and leverage from debts is beyond reach, I¡¯ll resort to the one thing that can silence any opposition.¡± His gaze hardened, a dark light glinting in his eyes as he spoke with deadly finality. ¡°Absolute might.¡±

    ***

    A/N - If anyone of you don''t know, you would get 15 chapters ahead of Magus Reborn (7300 followers and counting) too on patreon alongside Dao of Money for no extra charges. I have been getting messages with readers asking about it.

 Chapter 28: Unofficial sect status

    Despite the relentless sabotage of their supply lines by the Bai Hu Trade Association, Heavenly Fragrances grew stronger with each passing day. It was as though the heavens themselves had taken a liking to Chen Ren in this world.

    As the time went on, he felt more relaxed. Unlike the initial days where his eyes always scanned for threats, now he felt at ease. Obviously, he wasn¡¯t foolish enough to think that Bai Hu trades wouldn¡¯t try something new, but something had shifted. A quiet confidence had settled into his bones.

    His second business¡ªthe one that had started out as little more than a daring gamble¡ª was thriving, and Chen Ren could no longer ignore the fact that it was moving on its own, gaining momentum as if the tides themselves had shifted in his favour. And that was worthy of a celebration on its own.

    Deep down, he knew it was all due to the hard work and careful planning that had been put into work. Which would result in getting back his medallion sooner.

    It was no longer a pressing worry. The debts, too, that had once seemed like a huge mountain before him, were beginning to shrink in size.

    The surge of success also carried a surge of energy within him. As his businesses flourished, so too did his cultivation. The energy in his dantian flowed like a river in flood, ready to burst forth and carry him to the next star.

    He felt his strength growing every day and his body humming with vitality, his soul expanding.

    But Yalan had warned him not to rush. ¡°Your foundation is not solid enough,¡± she had told him one evening. ¡°Rushing ahead will only make your cultivation unstable. Strength gained without a firm foundation is like a house built on sand.¡±

    Chen Ren had understood the truth in her words. He knew that if he advanced too quickly, the power he gained would slip through his fingers like water. So, he had agreed to wait. His dantian swelled with energy every day, but he focused instead on his basic techniques, his footwork, his breath control, and his internal strength. He would wait until the day was right¡ª until the foundation had been fully set¡ª before advancing to the next star of cultivation.

    And so, he bided his time, quietly practising his basics, knowing that his true breakthrough would come only when the foundation was unshakable.

    But amidst this flurry of activity¡ªhis thriving businesses, his growing power, and his ongoing training¡ª there was one task that had been occupying his thoughts more and more. He had been dreaming of it for a while, waiting for the moment when the time would be right. And now, at last, he felt it had come.

    It was time to register his sect. Unofficially, of course.

    In this world, forming a sect was no small feat. It was not merely a matter of gathering a few disciples and proclaiming oneself as a sect leader.

    According to the laws of the empire, an official sect required a formal registration process, complete with an application detailing the sect¡¯s values, goals, and leadership structure. Even for an unofficial sect, the application needed to be submitted to the City Lord¡¯s office. This was not a formality one could ignore, for failure to register could lead to unwanted attention from the local authorities.

    Fortunately for Chen Ren, there was no cap on who could be a leader of a sect. Even someone at the body forging realm, like him, could claim the title.

    After gathering all the necessary information about the process of registration, he made his way toward the City Lord¡¯s office. Yalan followed behind him, her steps light and graceful, her presence like a soft whisper on the wind. As always, she moved with the languid grace of a cat¡ª her posture relaxed, yet her eyes ever-watchful.

    In fact, with the way she acted so casually beside him, it was hard to remember that she was something more than just a¡­ pet, one who had lived through centuries and seen far more than he could imagine.

    The City Lord''s office was located right in the centre of the city. Its marble columns reached toward the sky from four directions¡ª two at the front, and two from behind. The whole building was white and it shone under the midday sun.

    The building was a symbol of the Kalian Empire¡¯s might and prosperity, its polished gates were coloured with gold. There were guards stationed at every entrance, their expressions impassive as they observed the comings and goings of the people.

    One word that described the ongoing activities of the place would be¡­ Busy¡ª merchants, cultivators, bureaucrats, and normal commoners walking in and out of the grand entrance, some hurrying with urgent matters, others exchanging polite nods and greetings. The scale of the place was staggering, with multiple wings and levels filled with bustling offices.

    As they approached the main entrance, Chen Ren paused momentarily to take in the sight of a large stone tablet standing near the courtyard. Its surface was polished to a gleam, and inscriptions ran across it in flowing script. It was a monument to the history of the Kalian Empire, reminding everyone how far they had come.

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze lingered on the stone tablet for a while, his mind wandering.

    Kalian Empire was the biggest power in this world, but there was always something about the empire that struck him as... fragile. How could a single emperor, even one of such immense power, keep it together for so long? Something about the weight of thousands of years, the endless cycles of history, made him wonder how it had all survived.

    For example, cultivators could live for a long time, so how come not one of them had gotten strong enough to challenge the might of the empire?

    From what he knew, the empire was founded by Xian Ju, a nascent soul cultivator. Yet as he thought further about him, he realised there were no records about him that he could remember. He had just vanished one day, leaving the whole empire to his descendants.

    ¡°I wonder if he simply got killed since nascent soul cultivators can live for thousands of years. But who will be strong enough to kill such a being?¡± he muttered, reading the stone table where information about the current emperor Xian Shuren was written.

    The current emperor, a domain manifestation stage cultivator, ruled over the empire¡¯s vast territories. Despite being an entire realm weaker than the founder, it was said that his power was unmatched, his control over the empire absolute.

    The cities stretched far and wide, and the sects, each with their own powerful cultivators, were united under his rule. It all sounded like the height of stability. Yet, there was a gnawing feeling in Chen Ren¡¯s chest, a question that remained unanswered:

    His musing was interrupted by Yalan¡¯s soft voice, cutting through his thoughts like a cool breeze.

    she said, talking to his mind.

    Chen Ren turned toward her. "

    Yalan nodded.

    Chen Ren¡¯s brow furrowed. The idea of an empire rising from such devastation fascinated him, but it also struck him as tragic¡ª an entire world consumed by a cataclysm, only for a new order to rise from its ruins. It made him wonder if there was something more to the empire¡¯s stability than met the eye.

    Yalan, however, was quick to dismiss it with a lazy stretch, her tail flicking behind her.

    Chen Ren smiled, amused by her practicality.

    With a final glance at the tablet, Chen Ren turned and stepped through the gilded gates of the City Lord¡¯s office.

    He approached the receptionist¡¯s desk, where a young woman sat with an air of practised indifference, her quill moving swiftly over a ledger. Her eyes were narrowed at whatever she was writing on.

    "I¡¯m here to register my sect as an unofficial one," he said steadily.

    She looked up at him for a moment, her eyes moving over him as if appraising his status, then nodded. "Go up to the second floor, Room 215. You¡¯ll find an official there who can assist you."

    "Thank you," he said, giving her a polite nod before turning to ascend the staircase. Yalan, following behind him like a shadow, swooshed her tail in a languid motion, seemingly uninterested in the busy surroundings.

    The second floor was quieter, the grand echo of the lobby muted by thick carpets and polished wood. The hallway stretched out before him, lined with closed doors and the occasional guard or assistant passing by. At the end of the hall, Room 215 had a simple plaque affixed to the door. Chen Ren approached, gently pushing it open.

    Inside, it was a normal office¡ª a little less ornate than the grandiose structure of the building might suggest, but still neat and professional.

    The room was well-lit, with a large table at the far side, piles of scrolls and paper scattered neatly in organised disarray. Behind one of the nearby desks sat an official, a man in his late thirties, with black robes adorned with the insignia of the City Lord¡¯s office. He was bent over a piece of parchment, scribbling something with a quill, completely absorbed in his work.

    As soon as Chen Ren saw him, he recognised him as Liu Wen, one of his first and regular customers who would try his noodles everyday.

    Near the centre of the room, two men sat at a table, one leaning forward with an intense focus, while the other was reclining back in his chair, eyes narrowed in concentration. He also recognized these two men¡ª Zhang Wei and Lin Feng.

    Although these two weren''t as regular, they would still try out the noodles every few days. And would often ask for a second bowl.

    They were playing chess, a game that had clearly captured their full attention. Their moves were slow but careful, and from the looks of it, they had been at it for some time. The atmosphere in the room felt relaxed¡ª perhaps a little too much so, given the status of the place.

    Ignoring them, he stepped forward towards Liu Wen and his eyes widened slightly, a flicker of recognition passing through them.

    "Ah, Scholar Wen," Chen Ren said, standing before the stall with a polite smile. He hoped his registration would be quicker with familiar faces. "It¡¯s good to see you again."

    Liu Wen blinked, clearly taken aback for a moment. "Aha, it¡¯s you, the noodle stall owner," he said, adjusting his robes with a small cough, obviously trying to make sense of the situation. "I didn''t expect to see you here. I don''t know if you are lost, but this is the room for sect registration."

    Chen Ren chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing as he extended his hand in a friendly gesture. "Yes, Scholar Wen. I¡¯m a cultivator as well. Noodles are just a business of mine. I came here to register my sect¡ª an unofficial one, of course."

    Liu Wen''s eyes widened further, and for a moment, his expression grew stiff. He looked between Chen Ren and the two chess players, a slightly bewildered expression forming on his face. It was clear that Liu Wen hadn¡¯t realised who Chen Ren was beyond his role as the noodle vendor.

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    Liu Wen, soon masked his surprise as he smiled apologetically, realising the misunderstanding. "I¡¯m sorry, I never addressed you properly before. I should have been more respectful." With that, he gave a small, formal bow, intending to show Chen Ren the respect he felt was due.

    Chen Ren, still somewhat flustered, waved a hand in protest. "No, no, there¡¯s no need for that. I should be thanking you for trying my noodles. Now, if it¡¯s not too much trouble, could we proceed with the registration for my sect?"

    Liu Wen nodded quickly, recovering his usual composure. "Yes, yes, of course. My apologies for the delay. Just give me a moment. I¡¯m not the one handling the sect registrations usually¡ª more on the finance side of things¡ª but I¡¯m covering for a friend today. I¡¯ll get you the form."

    Chen Ren nodded in understanding. Liu Wen stood up from his seat and walked over to a shelf on the wall, pulling down a scroll and quickly unfurling it. After glancing at it for a moment, he walked back to Chen Ren.

    "Here," Liu Wen said, handing the scroll to him. "This is the debrief form, basically things that you need to know about. But I believe you won''t be here if you don''t know the right way to register. Anyways, it¡¯s just protocol. I will bring you the application form soon. You¡¯ll need to fill it out with your sect''s name, its values, and any members you have. Then, it will be processed and reviewed. If everything is in order, you¡¯ll get approval for it to be recognized as an unofficial sect."

    He accepted the scroll with a nod. "Thank you, Scholar Wen. I appreciate your help." He unfurled the scroll, glancing over pages. Liu Wen was right, he already knew the things that were written.

    Liu Wen gave a tired smile. "I¡¯m just doing my job," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "It¡¯s not often I see someone I recognise here. Anyway, wait for a bit as I get the form."

    He left after giving another bow.

    Chen Ren sat at the desk, reading through the scroll leisurely to see if he had forgotten something when his ears were drawn to the quiet murmurs of conversation between the two men still playing chess nearby.

    The room was filled with a soft ambient noise¡ª rustling papers, quills scratching against parchment, the faint shuffle of footsteps as people moved in and out¡ª but these two men seemed oblivious to the rest of the office. Their conversation, more casual than anything of great importance, floated to Chen Ren¡¯s ears.

    "Did you hear? The city tournament is starting in two months," Zhang Wei said, tapping a pawn across the chessboard with an absent flick of his wrist.

    "Really?" Lin Feng replied, lifting an eyebrow as he pondered his next move. "I didn¡¯t know they would hold it so soon."

    "Yeah, it seems like it''s been scheduled for a while. I wonder who¡¯s gonna win this time. What sects do you think will send their competitors?"

    "Hmm, well, Li Xuan¡¯s probably gonna take the win again, right?"

    Zhang Wei chuckled, shaking his head. "I don¡¯t know. He might, but there¡¯s a big question mark hanging over him now that he entered the Soaring Sword Sect. That might change things. My bet¡¯s on the Void Blade Sect this time."

    "Void Blade? They lost a sect war and disappeared, didn¡¯t you know?"

    "What do you mean, ''disappeared''?¡±

    ¡°The entire sect building got confiscated. The sect vanished off the map, just like that. No one knows what happened. They say there¡¯s a lot of internal politics behind it. But whatever the case, they¡¯re no longer around to compete."

    "Really? That''s crazy. Void Blade Sect was a powerhouse three years back... How could they just vanish like that?"

    "Yeah," Lin Feng murmured, tapping his fingers against the chessboard. "It¡¯s all whispers, really. But it¡¯s a shame, though. They were strong. I guess there¡¯s no guarantee of success even if you¡¯re strong."

    Chen Ren listened intently, his mind turning. He knew of the Void Blade Sect. It was one of the sects Chen Ren wanted to get into if Soaring Sword Sect didn''t take him.

    Although not as grand as the Soaring Sword Sect, it was one of the well-known established sects and apparently now, it was reduced to nothing.

    It was a powerful reminder of the unpredictable tides of power in the cultivation world for him. Even a sect with a rich history and strong disciples could be wiped out in the blink of an eye, either through internal betrayal or external war. It made him wonder about his own ambitions¡ª how easily they could come crumbling down if the right forces were at play.

    Yalan¡¯s voice broke through his thoughts.

    Chen Ren glanced up at her, still processing what he''d heard. She was sitting at the edge of the room, her tail curled around her legs, watching the chess players with mild interest. He tilted his head slightly, considering the question. He paused, the thought lingering in his mind.

    At that moment, Liu Wen returned, holding the application form in his hand. "Here," he said, offering it to Chen Ren. "Please fill this one out and I¡¯ll submit it for you to be registered as an unofficial sect."

    Chen Ren took the form, unfurling it with a glance.

    It was simple enough¡ª sections for the sect''s name, the name of the sect leader, a short description of the sect''s mission and goals, and, of course, the sect crest.

    All things he had already considered and decided upon. He filled it out quickly, every line coming naturally to him. He filled in his own name as the leader, wrote a short but clear description of the sect''s values, and sketched a basic idea of its crest.

    Once completed, he handed the form back to Liu Wen, who looked it over with a quick scan.

    "Divine Coin Sect," Liu Wen said with a raised eyebrow. "A sect focused on business and cultivation, huh? Never saw that before."

    Chen Ren stood silent, simply nodding.

    Liu Wen continued. "That¡¯s a unique idea. I haven¡¯t heard of many sects that take that approach." He paused for a moment, as if contemplating it further, then set the form aside. "Alright, I¡¯ll submit this to the City Lord¡¯s office for processing. You should receive a confirmation soon enough."

    "Thank you, Scholar Wen," Chen Ren said, his gratitude sincere. "I appreciate your help."

    ***

    Chen Ren stood at the front of his new stall that Tang Jihao had helped build, eyes scanning the area, a sense of pride swelling in his chest.

    The stall was modest but well-built, the hard work of helping Tang Yuqiu paying off in every detail. He hadn¡¯t manually set up everything, but the entire design was his work.

    It was made up of wood, the exterior painted in a simple but elegant shade of green that matched the natural surroundings. A counter was set up in the front, where customers could easily approach to make their purchases. A few seats were placed around the stall, offering a place for those who wanted to sit and enjoy their noodles or just take a break from the busy street.

    At the back of the stall, a small, cosy corner had been set up for Tang Xiulan. She would be working here¡ª with a seat which she didn¡¯t have before so she could rest whenever she could.

    But it wasn¡¯t just the exterior that caught his attention. No, his gaze moved upward, where the sect crest had been proudly placed on a sign above the stall.

    The crest was simple yet meaningful¡ª an image of a golden dragon on a coin surrounded by swirling energies, symbolising both wealth and cultivation, the merging of the material and spiritual. Chen Ren smiled softly as he took in the sight.

    The Divine Coin Sect¡¯s noodle stall was busy with customers¡ª some returning for their daily fix of noodles, others drawn in by the enticing smell of freshly cooked food. The steady flow of people had turned the corner of the street into a small gathering, with lines of customers waiting to be served.

    Chen Ren leaned against the side of the stall, his arms folded, observing the scene. Tang Xiulan moved as usual, taking orders, preparing dishes, and managing the growing crowd. She was gentle yet precise with her movements, a smile never leaving her face as she greeted each customer. The scent of boiling broth and fried ingredients filled the air.

    His eyes flickered to a group of street children who had gathered around the stall. They were quick, their nimble hands darting in and out as they helped Xiulan manage the orders¡ª running small errands, delivering food, and helping with whatever they could.

    Chen Ren had known they had been helping out ever since the noodle stall had begun growing in popularity, but seeing them now, as an integral part of the stall¡¯s operation, made him feel a mix of pride and concern.

    He approached Tang Xiulan, watching the group for a moment before turning his gaze to the bustling crowd.

    "It looks like business has really boomed," he said, feeling satisfaction.

    Xiulan glanced up at him, her smile warm. "We¡¯ve got a lot of repeat customers now. The noodles are light and easy to eat, and they crave it every day."

    Chen Ren nodded thoughtfully. "I believe we can start thinking about expansion once I figure out the sauce. It¡¯s the key to making us stand out even more."

    "Expansion?" Xiulan asked.

    "Yeah," Chen Ren continued, his mind already turning to future plans. "I want to open more stalls, hire employees, and let them handle the operations. That way, I can focus on other things and let the business grow by itself."

    Xiulan was about to respond, but just then, the leader of the street children, Mei Lin called out to her, asking for help.

    "Young Master, we can talk about it later," she said. "There¡¯s something I need to take care of. But before I go, could you give those noodles to those people over there?" She pointed down the street, toward a small corner where a cluster of figures sat hunched over.

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze followed her finger, and he froze. The group of people were sitting at the edge of the street, dressed in ragged clothes, with dirt smudged across their faces. Their eyes were filled with hopelessness as they watched the crowd move. Some of them had their legs crossed awkwardly, while others seemed to be hunched over as if carrying invisible burdens. They didn¡¯t seem like ordinary customers¡ª no, these were beggars, their posture and appearance easily gave them away.

    "You¡¯re feeding them?" Chen Ren asked, his brows furrowing as he glanced back at Xiulan.

    Xiulan nodded, her expression soft. "I felt for them, so I started giving them noodles every day. They¡¯ve started gathering around now." She paused, and her gaze softened further. "All of them have physical deficiencies, and they don¡¯t have the money for treatment. I just... I feel bad."

    Chen Ren watched her for a moment, his mind turning over her words. He wasn¡¯t a man to turn his back on the poor, but there was always a limit. "I see," he said slowly. "I don¡¯t mind feeding them, but just make sure we don¡¯t get more of them.¡±

    he wanted to say, but he knew better. She was empathetic, and he understood that.

    Xiulan nodded in agreement, her expression thoughtful. "Of course, Young Master."

    As she turned to attend to the children, Chen Ren picked up the batch of noodles she had set aside, still mulling over the situation.

    It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t care, but there were always consequences. More beggars would mean more mouths to feed, and soon he would have a crowd of freeloaders on his hands. It wasn¡¯t his job to take care of the city¡¯s problems¡ª it was the authorities'' responsibility to manage the streets.

    Still, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to refuse to give noodles. The group of beggars had been lingering around for some time, and some of them had even started approaching the stall looking for food. With a sigh, he made his way toward the corner.

    The beggars were quiet, huddled together on the dirt-covered ground in an uneasy stillness. Their faces were gaunt, their bodies thin, and their clothes were threadbare. Some of them didn¡¯t even have shoes. Chen Ren approached, and as he did, the beggars slowly turned their heads towards him. Their eyes were hollow, filled with a deep sadness.

    One by one, they murmured their gratitude. "Thank you for your generosity, young master," they said in unison, their voices faint but clear.

    Chen Ren nodded stiffly as he handed out the noodles, each one muttering their thanks as they received their portions.

    But then, as he came to the last person in line, something caught his eye.

    A figure was sitting at the far end of the group, alone, their head lowered. At first glance, there was nothing unusual about them¡ª except that they didn¡¯t seem to belong with the others. The person had long, dishevelled hair that fell like a veil over the face. Their posture was different¡ª stronger, more upright¡ª but their head was lowered, hiding their features.

    He couldn¡¯t see any physical deficiency and couldn''t even tell if it was a man or a woman.

    Chen Ren hesitated for a moment before crouching down, offering the noodles with a soft voice. "Here... eat. You look like you haven¡¯t eaten much in days."

    The person slowly lifted their head, and as they did, Chen Ren saw their face for the first time.

    A woman. Her features were sharp, delicate even, but there was something unsettling about her. Her cheeks were sunken, her skin pale and stretched thin over her bones. But it was her eyes that struck him. Violet eyes, piercing, full of something he couldn¡¯t quite place. They glinted with an intensity that made him uneasy.

    "Why are you feeding me?" she asked, her voice low, almost defiant.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t quite know how to respond. "You look hungry," he said lamely.

    The woman stared at him for a long moment, her gaze unwavering. "What do you want in return?"

    He fumbled for an answer, feeling out of his depth. "Nothing," he repeated his intentions. "I¡¯m just... giving it to you because you look like you haven¡¯t eaten much."

    She glanced down at the noodles, her lips curling into something that wasn¡¯t quite a smile.

    "I don¡¯t think you¡¯re capable of giving me anything," he said, as a matter of fact. He set the noodles down before her "Just eat it," he said for the third time, then turned and walked away.

    He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was off about that encounter. But as he returned to the stall, the strange sense of unease faded, only to be replaced by something much more immediate.

    A large group of men, all dressed in black, were slowly making their way toward the stall. He froze, his heart sinking as he watched them. They moved with a quiet confidence, as though they owned the street.  S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    One of the men at the front shouted, his voice carrying across the street. "Listen up, everyone! Blood Snakes are doing an inspection here tonight! Show us proper respect and behave!"

    Chen Ren¡¯s brow furrowed, and a sense of dread settled in his chest.

    He didn¡¯t know who¡ª or what¡ª the Blood Snakes were, but the way the men moved, the way they commanded the street, told him that this was no ordinary group.

    ***

    A/N - Almost 5k words. Thank you for reading.

 Chapter 29: Blood Snakes

    Blood Snakes took the marketplace by shock.

    Whispers slithered through the crowd, all the eyes darting nervously to the end where they moved with purpose.

    There were ten of them, wearing black shirts with the emblem of a blood-red snake stitched across their chest. Their grins spoke of the power they possessed as they thrust their chests out with each step they took. A tall, bald man walked in the front, acting like the leader as he waved to a few stall owners.

    Chen Ren felt their arrogance reeking out of every side look they gave.

    Behind him, customers who had been chattering only moments ago fell silent. He looked back and saw how they were stiff with fear. Their eyes widened and some even visibly shivered.

    Even stall owners, who normally barked and bantered with customers, were quiet almost as if some force had muted them. Old Man Tian, whose wrinkled hands were usually busy arranging his wares, stood frozen. His eyes kept daring around as though he was trying to find a way out of the street.

    Amidst noticing all the reactions towards the Blood Snakes, Chen Ren stood motionless. He looked through his memory, remembering if he knew of them until a memory struck¡ª A conversation the old him had with one of his friends about gangs controlling the underground market of the city.

    Blood Snakes was one of them.

    His gaze shifted to Tang Xiulan beside him, her usually composed expression now tight with unease. ¡°Are they the gang that controls this side of the city?¡± he murmured, keeping his voice low as he watched their predatory movements.

    She nodded, a shadow passing over her face. ¡°Yes, they¡¯re called the Blood Snakes¡ª one of the three major factions that run the city¡¯s underbelly. They have a strong grip on the underground potion market and are known for being ruthless. Crossing them is asking for trouble.¡± Her eyes narrowed, scanning the scene as the gang members paused at various stalls, sending the merchants into a flurry of fearful compliance. ¡°But I can¡¯t figure out why they¡¯re here today.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s brows knitted together, his eyes following the tense glances exchanged between the stall owners and the gang.

    It almost felt as if they happened in slow motion¡ª the passerby quickening their steps or diverting their routes to avoid coming too close, one elderly vendor trembling as he handed over a pouch of coins. It was probably his entire stash of profits for the day¡ª week or even month, who knew?

    The gang members sneered, pocketing the money before moving on, leaving the vendor visibly shaken.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t seem like this is the first time they¡¯ve done this,¡± Chen Ren muttered, eyes hardening as he took in the scene.

    The Blood Snakes didn¡¯t come just for show; they came to collect, intimidate, and remind everyone of their power. Their actions sent a pulse of anger through him. Whatever their purpose today, it wasn¡¯t for good. If anything, Chen Ren wanted to know why they had shown themselves suddenly when he hadn''t seen any of them in the past month.

    As the first of the gang members reached their vicinity, the smile on his face widened, revealing teeth that gleamed unnaturally white. The man''s eyes glistened with a predatory look as he surveyed the scene, taking in the array of stalls and the frozen stares that greeted him.

    Power, palpable and oppressive, settled over the marketplace like an unseen hand. And in that suffocating silence, Chen Ren stood unmoving. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    The ruffians strolled from stall to stall, their heavy boots hitting the cobblestones with a rhythmic thud that seemed to echo through the street. They paused at each, their voices low but edged with menace.

    A murmur of protest would rise out of the merchants, but it was always swallowed quickly by the sound of coin purses being emptied.

    The day¡¯s earnings slipped from trembling hands into greedy palms, and the laughter that followed was cold and victorious, as though they''d won something far greater than just coins.

    He glanced at Old Man Tian''s skewer stall as the thugs walked towards it. Chen Ren¡¯s muscles tensed.

    The old vendor, whose greying hair and stooped shoulders betrayed a life lived under the weight of years, was holding himself together with what little dignity remained. His fingers quivered, brushing against the skewers as if he could somehow make them sizzle louder to drown out the scene unfolding in front of him.

    The ruffians were coming closer now. They moved with a purpose, like wolves circling their prey.

    The bald thug leading them was a mountain of muscle. His tattooed arm flexed as he reached for the collar of Old Man Tian¡¯s threadbare tunic, lifting him effortlessly from the ground.

    The old man gasped, a small, pitiful sound echoing out, his feet dangling inches above the dirt. The others flanked him, laughing at the scene.

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze narrowed, his heart thudding in his chest. He could see it¡ª the struggle in the old man¡¯s eyes, the unwillingness to look up, to face the inevitable.

    Fear was settling in his bones like a cold fog.

    The bald thug¡¯s voice was dripping with mock familiarity as he spoke. ¡°Old man, it¡¯s been a while, hasn¡¯t it?¡± His grin spread, and his eyes gleamed with a dangerous hunger. His hand travelled from the vendor¡¯s collar to the round belly that had grown soft with age, fingers pinching as he laughed. ¡°Judging by that round belly of yours, I¡¯d say you¡¯ve been eating just fine.¡±

    Old Man Tian¡¯s lips quivered as he forced the words out. ¡°Just doing decently, my lord. My old bones... they don¡¯t move as they used to.¡±

    The bald man''s eyes flicked to the sizzling skewers, their savoury scent thick in the air. His sneer softened for a brief moment as he took in the smell.

    He reached down and snatched one of the skewers from the grill, ignoring the heat, and bit into it with a grunt of approval.

    The moment of softness vanished, replaced by something far more venomous. ¡°Your food might be old like you, but it¡¯s still good,¡± he said between chews, his mouth half-full, a greasy grin tugging at his lips. ¡°Must be raking in a tidy sum, eh? Why don¡¯t you share some of that with me? My pockets are feeling rather light these days.¡±

    Old Man Tian¡¯s hands shook so violently that the pouch of coins he held almost slipped from his grip. He fumbled as he tried to offer a few scattered pieces of copper.

    His fingers trembled, betraying him in front of the thug, who only sneered at the small, pathetic offering. Before the old man could register what was happening, the thug''s hand was already around the pouch, snatching it with a swift, greedy swipe.

    He held it up, eyes twinkling with malicious delight as he gave it a shake. The coins inside clinked together, a sound that seemed to mock Old Man Tian¡¯s helplessness.

    The bald thug¡¯s grin twisted, and his voice lowered, dripping with cruelty. ¡°Be thankful I¡¯m sparing your miserable life, old man,¡± he spat, his breath hot and rank. ¡°Don¡¯t cling to that money like your life depends on it¡ª you won¡¯t need it in the afterlife, and you¡¯re already halfway there.¡±

    The words hung in the air, bitter and unrelenting. Old Man Tian¡¯s shoulders sagged even lower, and Chen Ren could see the moment the last shred of defiance left his body.

    He watched the ruffian, still grinning as he pocketed the coins, and a fire stirred in his chest¡ª a flame sparked by the injustice of it all.

    Chen Ren watched the scene with a frown, his brow furrowed as his senses sharpened. His instincts told him that something deeper was at play here.

    He shifted slightly, searching for Yalan. The cat wasn''t on her normal spot on top of the stall, so he looked around for a few seconds before he felt her sitting right behind him.

    Her amber eyes gleamed with an otherworldly calm. She looked unbothered by the surrounding tension, her tail flicking lazily as she studied the scene with the kind of detached amusement only a spirit beast like her could possess.

    Before he could say anything, her voice cut through the stillness, her words laced with quiet command. The soft sound of her voice held the weight of a warning, the sharpness of it jarring against the otherwise heavy atmosphere.

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips twitched upward, but only slightly, as he spoke in the silence of his mind. ¡°¡± His gaze never left the thugs moving through the crowd. ¡°

    Yalan¡¯s tail flicked again as she narrowed her eyes, her attention flicking from one thug to another. Her voice dropped, dripping with disdain.

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    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze hardened as he took in the information. He could see the power radiating off the bald thug, and the others¡ª no less dangerous, even if they lacked the same star rank. His mind began to work, considering the implications. he murmured under his breath, already calculating the risks.

    Yalan¡¯s gaze softened, as though she could read his thoughts with ease. she said, her voice steady with quiet confidence.

    He knew she was right. Chen Clan''s techniques were not weak and although a sect like Soaring Sword Sect might have better techniques, he wouldn''t expect that from street thugs, even if they were cultivators.

    he said softly, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the market.

    Yalan¡¯s ears twitched, her tail flicking once more as she stared at the group with an eerie calm. Her voice was laced with a knowing edge.

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes sharpened, his resolve settling into something unshakable.

    As he finished the conversation with Yalan, the thugs finished with the other stalls and moved towards him. His customers parted ways for them as two men flanked his stall as if standing there to make sure he couldn''t run away.

    Around Chen Ren, the children who had been eagerly helping a few minutes before stilled, their wide eyes darting between the approaching gang and him. Tang Xiulan¡¯s posture stiffened, her fingers curling into tight fists.

    ¡°Well, well,¡± the bald man drawled as he came to a stop in front of Chen Ren¡¯s modest stall. His eyes, sharp as knives, took in every detail. ¡°If it isn¡¯t the delicacy I¡¯ve been hearing so much about. You invented it, right? I heard you are a small-time cultivator who already gave up on reaching the heavens and is now making perfumes. But hey, at least they are earning you good money.¡±

    The two men behind him snickered, one elbowing the other.

    ¡°A cultivator peddling perfumes! What a joke,¡± one of them jeered, his laughter loud and mocking.

    Chen Ren¡¯s chest tightened, a cold realisation seeping into his veins. If he was just suspicious before, the words confirmed the fact that there was something else going on. He wasn''t just paranoid. These men knew more than they should.

    His heart thudded in a steady, ominous beat as he gave a glance at Tang Xiulan. She met his gaze head-on, eyes fierce, smouldering with defiance despite the danger coiled around them.

    The bald man, a mountain of muscle and menace, raised a hand and snapped his fingers. The sound cut through the market like a blade, silencing his comrades instantly. ¡°Let¡¯s not make fun of this young man over here. Money is money and everyone wants it, even us cultivators,¡± he said, his voice rough and tainted with malice.

    He walked around showing off his arrogance and slapped his palm against Old Man Tian¡¯s wooden stall, which was right next to Chen Ren¡¯s, making the fragile structure shudder under the force. The skewers rattled, one clattering to the ground and rolling to a stop near Chen Ren¡¯s feet.

    ¡°But let¡¯s not waste time, eh?¡± The bald man¡¯s eyes gleamed with an ugly, feral light as they settled on Xiulan. ¡°Hand over every coin you¡¯ve got here,¡± he continued, the edge of a smirk creeping up his scarred face. ¡°And the girl comes with me. My bed¡¯s been too cold these days.¡± His finger jabbed toward Xiulan, punctuating his words with a twisted promise. The marketplace seemed to collectively inhale, as if the world itself was holding its breath.

    Tang Xiulan¡¯s jaw tightened, and she met his leering gaze with eyes that could slice through iron. The tension between them crackled like a drawn blade.

    Chen Ren¡¯s vision narrowed, the world around him fading as a deep, seething fury took root. His voice, when he spoke, was low and controlled, emphasising every syllable. He literally spat his words. ¡°Try that, and I promise you won¡¯t be able to touch any women going forward.¡±

    The bald man¡¯s eyes widened briefly before his smirk returned, broader and uglier than before. He threw his head back and let out a bark of laughter that bounced off the nearby stalls and echoed into the watching crowd. His lackeys joined in, their laughter a grating chorus that sank claws into Chen Ren¡¯s composure.

    ¡°Oh, is that so?¡± the thug taunted, spreading his arms wide as he turned to address the cluster of bystanders who stood frozen at the edges of the market, their faces pale and drawn. ¡°Listen up, everyone! This young master here seems quite enamoured with his little maid. But look at her!¡± He gestured toward Xiulan. ¡°She¡¯s not even that pretty!¡±

    More laughter followed, harsh and mocking, drilling into Chen Ren¡¯s ears. His fingers curled into fists, nails biting into his palms.

    But the laughter faded as the bald man¡¯s smile disappeared, replaced by a look of cold calculation.

    He leaned in, voice dropping to a near whisper. ¡°How about this? I won¡¯t take the girl. Instead, give me your perfume formula. My boss is interested in it, you see. He¡¯s quite fond of perfumes.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes hardened. ¡°He can come to my shop and try the perfumes. As for the formula, I don''t think he can afford it.¡±

    The bald man¡¯s jaw twitched, his smile souring. ¡°My boss doesn¡¯t buy what he can take. He prefers... acquisitions.¡±

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t flinch, his voice steady as a blade. ¡°Then I have two words for him: fuck. off.¡±

    The moment Chen Ren¡¯s defiant words left his lips, the bald man¡¯s face darkened.

    His eyes, now smouldering with rage, narrowed to slits as he drew his fist back, ready to strike.

    But before the blow could connect, Chen Ren¡¯s instincts surged, and with a flicker of his feet, he propelled himself forward, [Lightning Step] sparking beneath him. The sudden movement sent a ripple through the onlookers, gasps escaping the mouths of those who dared to watch.

    The bald man¡¯s punch met space, his momentum carrying him forward as he stumbled and spun around, eyes flaring with fury. ¡°You¡¯ve picked the wrong fight!¡± he roared, veins bulging on his neck.

    He lowered himself like a charging beast, muscles coiling as he unleashed a battle cry. ¡°[Raging Bull Rush!]¡± With a force that cracked the stones beneath his feet, he charged, each step shaking the ground.

    Chen Ren dodged to the side, barely escaping the head-on rush. The wind from the bald man¡¯s charge ruffled his robes, and sweat trickled down his brow. He clenched his jaw¡ª this man was faster and stronger, a formidable opponent. But defeat wasn¡¯t an option.

    Before Chen Ren could catch his breath, two mortal lackeys rushed at him, fists swinging. He caught one by the wrist, his fingers tightening like iron. The man¡¯s eyes widened in shock as a flash of electric-blue light crackled from Chen Ren¡¯s palm. ¡°[Thundering Fists!]¡± The jolt sent the lackey stumbling back, yelping in pain.

    The second thug flinched, but before he could retreat, Chen Ren repeated the strike, sending him sprawling.

    The brief victory was cut short by a bellow from the bald man, who had already whirled around and resumed his charge.

    ¡°I¡¯ll crush you!¡± The gap between them disappeared in a heartbeat, and Chen Ren¡¯s mind raced. He darted into the open space of the market, weaving between overturned carts and dodging terrified bystanders.

    ¡°Come on, is that the best you¡¯ve got?¡± Chen Ren taunted, trying to buy himself precious seconds while striking at the gang members scattered around. The bald man¡¯s eyes burned with rage as he ploughed through obstacles like a bull gone mad, his singular focus on Chen Ren unwavering.

    Suddenly, Chen Ren¡¯s luck ran out. The bald man pivoted with unexpected speed and struck him with a head-first blow. ¡°[Bull Smack!]¡±

    The impact sent Chen Ren hurtling backward, his body crashing into a wooden stall that splintered under the force.

    Pain flared across his back as he gasped, pushing himself up on shaking arms.

    Before he could fully regain his stance, another shout cut through the chaos, sharp and hissing like the creature it invoked. ¡°[Cobra Fang!]¡± The voice belonged to a wiry man who leaped into the fray, his movements fluid and sinuous, as if his joints were made of water. His eyes gleamed with a predator''s focus.

    Chen Ren''s chest tightened¡ª this man was one of the three-star body forging realm cultivators.

    The air crackled with sudden tension as the man¡¯s fist lashed out, a strike as quick and venomous as a serpent''s bite.

    Chen Ren¡¯s instincts screamed, and he pushed his body into motion, twisting just enough to avoid the blow. The wind of the missed strike brushed his cheek like a cold whisper, and the ground seemed to lurch beneath him as he spun back, breath ragged.

    He didn¡¯t pause. Chen Ren channelled his qi, feeling it spark like wildfire through his veins.

    With a surge of determination, he unleashed

    His fists blurred, trailing sparks as they met the cultivator¡¯s torso. The man¡¯s eyes widened in shock as the force crashed into him, sending him sprawling backward into a nearby cart, which exploded into splinters and sent up a plume of dust and shattered wood.

    A fleeting wave of triumph rippled through Chen Ren¡¯s chest, but it was crushed a heartbeat later. Iron bands locked around him from behind¡ª a crushing, unrelenting grip that threatened to crack his ribs on contact.

    The bald thug''s brute strength was immense. He gritted his teeth as pain seared through his back, muscles screaming as he struggled to breathe, let alone move.

    ¡°Hold still,¡± the bald man growled, his breath hot and rancid against Chen Ren''s ear. ¡°Zhi, break his ribs.¡±

    Another man, scarred and grinning with feral delight, stepped into view. The marketplace seemed to shrink, the noise of the crowd fading to a dull roar as the new threat moved closer.

    ¡°[Multiple Snake Bites!]¡± he intoned, the technique name slicing through the air.

    Chen Ren¡¯s world exploded into a white-hot agony as the blows rained down, reverberating through his bones and forcing the breath from his lungs.

    His vision darkened at the edges, a dance of shadows and pain as he lashed out blindly with a desperate kick. The strike connected with a satisfying thud, sending Feng stumbling back a few steps, a curse on his lips.

    But the reprieve was momentary. The vice-like hold on him tightened, the pressure biting deeper until it felt as if his ribs might shatter under the strain.

    Blood thundered in his ears, drowning out everything but the raw, animalistic drive to survive. His vision wavered, the world around him threatening to blur into nothingness.

    The thought, sharp and urgent, clawed at his mind. Pride, though, rose like a stubborn flame. Yalan had faith that he could handle this. And so did he. With a gasp, he steeled himself, even as a fresh wave of pain lanced through him.

    Just then, a glint of metal caught his eye¡ª a knife, its edge slicing through the air toward him with deadly intent.

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon.

 Chapter 30: Yu Kuang

    Chen Ren caught the piece of sharp metal striking him through the air. His body reacted faster than his mind, twisting in the air sharply.

    The knife whistled past him, slicing so close that he could feel its chill brush against his cheeks. But the knife¡¯s momentum downgraded and found its mark on the leg of the bald man who had been holding him as if he was clinging to his dear life.

    A strangled cry erupted from the bald thug¡¯s throat.

    His iron grip fell away as he stumbled back, eyes wide with pain and rage, hands reflexively reaching for the buried blade.

    Blood dripped down his leg as he staggered, his breath coming in gasps as he clutched at the knife buried deep in his flesh.

    His expression twisted in agony, but his eyes burned with unrelenting fury, hatred spilling from his every movement.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t hesitate; his body surged into motion. In one fluid motion, he sprang to his feet, eyes darting to where the knife had come from. There, at the edge of the market, stood the beggar girl who he just gave noodles to.

    Her eyes were burning with determination and three more knives shone in her small, weak, calloused hands. If anything, she seemed much more strong now. hen Ren couldn¡¯t guess, but there was no time to wonder.

    The girl stood firm, her tiny figure seemed taller than before¡ª as though the chaos that surrounded her didn¡¯t affect her, but she was focused, ready for action.

    Chen Ren quickly shrugged off his attention from her and turned to the bald man who was now howling with rage and pain.

    He wrenched the knife from his leg, the blood staining his fingers while his breath came in jagged gasps. His bloodshot eyes shot at Chen Ren which seemed to boil with passionate hatred.

    ¡°Argh!¡± the bald man brayed and prepared to lunge forward.

    At the same time, Chen saw how Zhi staggered upright with a grin that was painful to watch¡ª looking like an absolute maniac. He brushed splinters and dust from his shoulders, and by how his smirk expanded, this scene seemed to only fuel his twisted excitement.

    He cracked his knuckles.

    Chen Ren¡¯s senses sharpened; his instincts screamed at him that he couldn¡¯t face both at once.

    Frantically, his eyes swept through the stalls, searching for an advantage¡ª something, .

    Vegetables, skewers, carts, wares, pineapples, ladles¡ª but then, his gaze landed on a nearby cart bearing a wok of bubbling oil. The liquid was as angry as the bald man. Without hesitation, he lunged towards it.

    As if on cue, the bald thug charged.

    His arms swung wildly towards Chen Ren, his face twisted in every way possible.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t stop his feet either, and the market seemed to slow.

    The thug was too close now, and there was no time to think. Just as the man drew near, Chen seized the wok of oil, his grip firm despite the weight of the vessel and the searing burning pain that came with it.

    He waited no second before flinging the boiling oil, his wrist snapping for its speed.

    The liquid arced through thin air and splattered across the bald thug and Zhi. The two men screamed, their cries of agony cutting through the air like a knife. The oil immediately burned their skin, splashing across their faces, clothes, and exposed limbs.

    The searing liquid scorched their flesh, sending them into spasms, their hands clawing at their bodies in a pathetic attempt to stop the pain. And the smell of burnt flesh and scorched fabric filled the air immediately, making every other smell of the market disappear.

    With that, the market fell into absolute havoc. The onlookers shrieked and scrambled to avoid the splattering oil and the fight overall, but all Chen could focus on were the two men who were squirming in pain before him.

    He had no time to linger on their suffering, for his fight was far from over.

    The warmth left his eyes, replaced with lightning as he summoned his qi.

    His fist crackled with lightning-infused energy, and with a savage roar, he launched into a strike.

    ¡°[Thundering Punch]!¡±

    His fist crashed into the bald man¡¯s chest. The thud¡¯s breath left him in a sharp, strangled gasp. He was sent sprawling to the ground. His body went limp, breathless and motionless, a broken heap at his feet.

    Turning swiftly, he was ready to send a similar blow to Zhi, but to his surprise, the wiry cultivator was already slumping to his knees.

    It was quite the sight to see his malice-filled grin turned to a grimace of agony¡ª just because of the searing hot oil.

    It was then, he saw. Two of the beggar girl¡¯s knives were buried deep in the man¡¯s shoulders, and blood poured down his arm, slick and crimson. He trembled as life drained from his eyes, his body faltering as his will to fight died.

    Silence swept through the market.

    The stench of smoke, burnt bodies and spilt blood made bile rise in his throat. Chen Ren¡¯s senses clouded with the three. But he forced himself to snap into reality, wanting to deal with the rest of the members, but they seemed to have already scattered, vanished into the maze of alleys, their cowardness outweighing whatever purpose they came for.

    Breathing slowly, Chen Ren let the tension in his muscles ease. He stepped toward the fallen bald thug, whose body lay contorted on the ground, twitching with the last remnants of life.

    With a swift movement, he retrieved the pouch of coins the man had stolen from the stall owners.

    The coins jingled with a cold, metallic sound as he inspected the contents. It wasn''t an overly large sum, but it was a day¡¯s worth of all the stalls and he wasn''t going to let mere thugs have it.

    Chen Ren met the bald man¡¯s dull, pain-glazed eyes, his expression hardening. The thug¡¯s chest heaved with laboured breaths, but he could do little more than look up, unable to move.

    With a swift motion, Chen Ren delivered a sharp kick to the man¡¯s ribs, the sound of bone cracking ringing around him.

    "This is what you get for being a ruffian," he spat the words.

    He looked over at the beggar girl, who stood just beyond the carnage, her eyes still burning with determination.

    Her breath came in slow, measured puffs. And though she had just played her part in the battle, there was no hint of satisfaction in her expression¡ª only the same quiet look on her face that had been there when he had given her the noodles.

    She met his gaze with a small nod before retreating to her familiar spot, curling up as if nothing had happened. Then, picked up the bowl of noodles he had given her, quietly slurping on it

    A flicker of gratitude surged within him, urging him to step forward and thank her for her silent support.

    Before he could act on it, a familiar voice cut through his mind like a crisp wind.

    Chen Ren turned to see Yalan, the cat with the knowing eyes, approaching with an air of detached elegance. The shimmer of her fur caught the moonlight as she assessed him with a critical gleam.

    Beside her, a worried Tang Xiulan rushed forward.

    Yalan continued not giving Xiulan heed.

    Ren''s brow lifted, a half-smirk tugging at his lips.

    Yalan''s eyes narrowed slightly, glistening with an enigmatic glint.

    Before he could reply, Xiulan reached him, her soft voice cutting through his thoughts. ¡°Young master, are you okay?¡±

    He let out a breath, rolling his shoulders as the dull ache of bruises reminded him of the struggle. ¡°A few scratches and my back feels like I fought a mountain, but I''ll be fine. Nothing to worry about.¡±

    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    His gaze shifted beyond Xiulan, settling on the bald thug still groaning in agony and the stunned stall owners who were beginning to gather around.

    ¡°But the real concern isn''t my injuries,¡± he muttered, eyes sharpening. ¡°These thugs weren''t just here for extortion. They wanted the perfume formula. Otherwise, they wouldn''t have brought cultivators with them. The Blood Snakes are eyeing my businesses.¡±

    Tang Xiulan''s eyes widened. ¡°What are you going to do now?¡±

    Chen Ren thought for a moment before a grimace settled on his face. ¡°We need to check on Heavenly Fragrances. If I''m right, this wasn''t the only place they hit.¡±

    ***

    Chen Ren had expected that their stall wouldn¡¯t be the only one to be affected by the Blood Snake attacks. As they moved closer to the area, the sight before him confirmed his suspicions.

    The outside scene of their perfume shop was in disarray. The door seemed to be broken and the board with their stall name was on the ground. Even other shops around them seemed to have taken some damage and a good number of people were out in the open, talking in hushed whispers.

    The signs of a violent altercation were unmistakable.

    He saw Tang Yuqiu standing outside, flanked by the guards who had been assigned to them by the Tang Clan. They had anticipated something like an attack, though they could never have predicted that a powerful gang would be involved.

    The calm resolve on Yuqiu¡¯s face quickly turned into a tense line when she saw Chen Ren approaching.

    As he got closer, Chen Ren¡¯s gaze swept the area, taking in the damage. His heart sank as he observed. There was blood on the ground, some still fresh, some beginning to dry on the paved streets. The air was thick with the lingering smell of burnt wood, herbs, and the faint metallic stench of blood.

    A few perfume bottles were spilled out on the streets, evidence of the struggle that had taken place. It was clear the attackers had tried to destroy their stock. Fortunately, only a few of them were scattered.

    ¡°Did Blood Snakes attack you?¡± Chen Ren called out, his voice low, scanning Tang Yuqiu¡¯s expression for any signs of distress.

    Yuqiu¡¯s gaze met his, hard and focused, and she gave a short nod, her lips pressed into a tight line.

    ¡°Yes, they did. A group of half a dozen people.¡± She hesitated for a moment before continuing. ¡°But the guards handled it. They just threatened us and told us to give up the formula or they¡¯d do more. Though, they flung a part of our stocks out on the streets and broke our board.¡±

    ¡°Were you here when it happened? Did they hurt you?¡± Chen Ren asked, looking over her body. Thankfully, she didn¡¯t seem to be injured.

    Yuqiu took a breath before explaining, ¡°Yes, I was here when they came. And no, the guards protected me, so I was mostly unharmed and I believe they were trying to go past me to harm our stocks. Although they were from Blood Snakes, they didn''t seem to be trained. The guards handled them easily, but they shouted that they would be back again. They¡¯re clearly not finished with us. But how do you know the Blood Snakes attacked us? Did they¡ª¡± S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Chen Ren nodded before she could complete her sentence. ¡°They came after me too,¡± he said, his voice low, eyes flicking to the unconscious forms of the bald thug and Zhi, who were now lying on a cart, being carried by Old Man Tian¡¯s grandson. ¡°They sent cultivators. Barely managed to take them down, but I caught these two.¡±

    He pointed toward the two thugs, both of whom were still breathing but their injuries would take time to heal. The cart rattled softly as Old Man Tian¡¯s grandson moved them to the side of the street.

    Yuqiu¡¯s frown deepened as she processed the information. ¡°They sent cultivators? They are clearly not undermining us.¡±

    Chen Ren sighed. ¡°Yeah, and it''s clear they were keeping an eye on us. They only sent cultivators to target me knowing I''m one too. And I don''t think they are going to just give up. If we sit around doing nothing, they might escalate things. A bigger attack could be coming.¡±

    Yuqiu looked at him, puzzled. ¡°But... why would they want to escalate things? What do they want from us?¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes narrowed, putting the pieces together. He had thought about this before he came here. ¡°It''s the Bai Hu Trade association. They can¡¯t do anything alone with our supply lines and staff secured, so they got the gang involved. Why they¡¯re working together is beyond me, but it¡¯s not good for us. Bai Hu¡¯s reach is far, but I never thought they would get someone like Blood Snakes involved.¡±

    Yuqiu¡¯s face flushed with anger as the realisation hit her. She took a step forward, her voice rising with frustration. ¡°I¡¯ll go deal with them myself. They can¡¯t just bully the Tang Clan like this. I¡¯ll¡ª¡±

    Chen Ren stepped in front of her. ¡°If you go now, they¡¯ll just deny everything,¡± he said, cutting her off. ¡°They¡¯ll say they don¡¯t know anything about it. Without proof, it¡¯ll just be another set of accusations with no way to back them up. That¡¯s why they didn¡¯t send their own men to handle this¡ª they don¡¯t want to leave a trail. If you storm in there, they¡¯ll lie through their teeth and say they were never involved.¡±

    Tang Xiulan stepped forward, her expression one of determination mixed with concern. "So what do we do now?" she asked, glancing between Chen Ren and Yuqiu. "Should we inform the city guards?"

    Chen Ren shook his head, his eyes scanning the damage once more before returning his gaze to Xiulan.

    "We can, but I don¡¯t think anything will come out of it. The Blood Snakes attacked our shop without any city guards around, and there weren¡¯t any stationed down the market street either." He paused for a moment as if considering the implications of his words. "The truth is, they¡¯re already bought. Remember they were easily bribed by the bun shop owner. If such a person can do so, then a gang would have way more power. We can go and complain, but I don¡¯t expect them to take any action. It¡¯ll just be a formality."

    Tang Yuqiu¡¯s face tightened at the suggestion. "So, what, we just let them get away with this? We won¡¯t even try to get them to listen?"

    "I don¡¯t doubt that the Tang Clan could force them to give us protection¡ª but it won''t stop the Blood Snakes. Gangs like that don¡¯t care about any clan. They only respect power, and I was just talking to Xiulan about this. Do you know why the Blood Snakes can operate in the city without anyone stopping them?"

    Yuqiu frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. "Why?"

    Chen Ren¡¯s voice dropped slightly, his expression grim. "Their boss, Yu Kuang. The leader of the Blood Snakes is a foundation realm cultivator. I asked around before coming here."

    That statement sent everyone into deep thought. Yuqiu couldn¡¯t help but pace back and forth in front of Chen Ren. Finally, she stopped and blinked at him, disbelief in her eyes "A foundation realm cultivator? That¡¯s... that¡¯s insane. Such a person is powerful enough to become an inner sect disciple in the Soaring Sword Sect."

    Chen Ren nodded. "He can defeat someone like me¡ª hundreds of times over¡ª without even breaking a sweat. Not only that, they have dozens of body forging realm cultivators. That''s why the Blood Snakes can do whatever they want, without fear of reprisal from anyone. No clan, no guard, no one can stand against him without serious consequences."

    Yuqiu looked down, her jaw clenched in thought, and then she looked up, meeting Chen Ren¡¯s gaze again.

    "Does the Tang Clan have someone like that?" he asked.

    Yuqiu shook his head. "No. The Tang Clan doesn¡¯t have anyone on that level. I''m pretty sure my father can hire one, but it''s rare to find someone at that level among the rogue cultivators.¡±

    "Then we¡¯re stuck in this situation," he said quietly. "We can¡¯t just force them to leave us alone. Not with someone like that pulling the strings. We need to be careful. We can¡¯t just rush in head first. We need a plan¡ª a way to deal with the Blood Snakes keeping their boss in mind. Because if we go up against him, we¡¯ll be crushed."

    A silence fell over them as the gravity of the situation settled in.

    It¡¯s almost like everyone knew that something had to be done, but no one knew how to go about it without making the situation worse.

    For maybe the first time since coming to this world, Chen Ren felt like he was grasping at straws. A foundation realm cultivator was way beyond his current state. They had a difference of one and a half realm between us. Tang Clan might be able to get more security, but against someone like him, even they needed to be careful.

    That only left a few options.

    Though, it wasn''t as if every door was closed. He still had a trump card in Yalan and going by his estimates of her strength, she could deal against someone like Yu Kuang, but was this worth revealing her identity? He wasn''t sure.

    The more he had seen of his world, the more he realised that having a trump card like her was bigger than any cheat he might have received.

    His mind raced, trying to come up with a solution where he could deal with Blood Snakes without anyone finding out about Yalan.

    His gaze shifted from Yuqiu to the two unconscious thugs¡ªBaldy and Zhi¡ª who lay slumped in the cart. Then, his eyes flicked over to Yalan, who had been quietly observing the conversation from the sidelines.

    A sudden thought struck him.

    "I believe I have an idea," he said, getting the attention of both the women.

    ***

    A/N - I got comments in last chapter of people disappointed about Dao of Money having fights. Although this is a more slice of life book, there will be fights. They won''t always be brawls as Chen Ren will scheme his way out of them, but there will be fights other than just buisnesses. Also, the shouting out martial techniques part was more for showing he''s still green as you can see in this chapter.

    PS - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon.

 Chapter 31: Taking out a gang (1)

    ¡°My boss will hear of it, and once he does, you won¡¯t be able to get out of the consequences,¡± the bald thug growled, his spit dripping out of the corner of his mouth. His eyes, small and beady, were filled with hatred. ¡°You dare go against him by beating his subordinate. You will pay with your life. Your life ends here. Your whole family will die¡ª¡±

    A sudden slap cracked through the room like a thunderclap. Chen Ren¡¯s hand recoiled from the strike, his dark eyes narrowing as he stared down at his captive.

    ¡°You talk too much for a prisoner, you know,¡± he said.

    The room was small, shrouded in deep shadow with only a wavering lamp. The air hung thick, heavy with the metallic tang of rust and the sour tang of sweat. The bald thug sat hunched, chained tight. His muscles strained against restraints that clinked with every shallow breath. Next to him, Zhi remained motionless, head lolling, still submerged in unconsciousness, the cold iron sigils along the chains pressing deep against their scorched flesh.

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze swept over them. He had made no mistakes. These were cultivators, after all. One lapse would cost him dearly, and so the chains had been tighter.

    They had weighed the option of involving the city guards but knew their bureaucratic sluggishness and corruption all too well.

    A report had been made of the attack, but they hadn''t mentioned the fact that these two were captured by him. True to form, the guards responded with predictable ineptitude, increasing patrols around Market Street and stationing themselves around the perfume shop at the heart of this tangled plot.

    But to Chen Ren, it was little more than a sideshow, a pretence to keep up appearances.

    His plan was already in motion. And the bald thug before him¡ªsneering, broken-lipped¡ªwas an important part that would soon make his plans come true. Or so he hoped.

    Chen Ren squinted as he leaned forward. ¡°Can¡¯t you just give me the location of your boss? I just want to meet him. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll be happy to see me. And maybe you could tell me which of the Bai Hu Association¡¯s dogs decided to meddle with my perfume shop.¡±

    The bald thug¡¯s mouth twisted into a sneer. ¡°I will never say any¡ª¡±

    A sharp slap cut through the dim silence. The thug¡¯s head snapped to the side, his words dissolving into a choked grunt.

    ¡°I will slap you every time you say something I don¡¯t want to hear,¡± Chen Ren said, his eyes narrowing at him.

    The prisoner glared back, eyes brimming with hatred, teeth bared. Chen Ren felt the tension between them growing with every second. Without warning, he slapped the latter again, the suddenness jolting the thug out of his snarl.

    ¡°Why did you slap me again?¡± the thug spat.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t like your face,¡± Chen Ren replied, deadpan, before his lips twitched in the ghost of a smirk.

    And so it went. Each question was met with silence or rebellion, each resistance with another slap. The oil lamp sputtered as Chen Ren¡¯s hand met the thug¡¯s bruised cheek over and over.

    Time crept by, and the minutes turned into half an hour.

    The thug¡¯s face, once ruddy, became swollen and mottled with angry welts. It was almost funny.

    The temptation to shatter the thug¡¯s annoying arrogance with a show of true power begged him, but he held back.

    If he was about to let his inner demon win, this scumbag wouldn¡¯t survive¡ªnot in this state.

    He needed him alive, for now.

    "You¡¯re really loyal." Chen Ren¡¯s eyes narrowed as he studied the man¡¯s face. A small smile crept to his face. "At least your boss knows how to pick up his lackeys."

    The bald man spat on the ground, his spit was mixed with blood. His eyes came up to face Chen Ren, the outer corner of his lips curling, "Fuck you."

    Chen Ren¡¯s smile never wavered.

    ¡°I don''t fuck with men and seeing your ugly face, I doubt even woman would,¡± he said, turning towards the door. ¡°Either way, enjoy your time here in the darkness. I will come to meet you two later and maybe then you will be in the mood to speak."

    Moving past the two thugs, he closed the heavy door with a a loud thud, the sound of a final farewell to the captives.

    He gave the building one last look before he turned, taking a few steps away. It was one of the warehouses the Tang Clan owned, one that was used for one of their businesses, but once it had failed, the warehouse had been kept empty.

    He walked for a minute away from the warehouse and entered an alley, only stopping when a sudden voice pierced the stillness.

    "Did he say anything?" It was Yalan. She spoke aloud since it was just the two of them.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t answer right away. His gaze drifted toward the shadows where she stood, her feline eyes glowing faintly in the dark. Her lithe form barely made a sound as she moved closer.

    "No, he¡¯s pretty tenacious," Chen Ren finally replied.

    Yalan¡¯s tail flicked in the air, her whiskers twitching. "Maybe it''s a qi oath. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if it were."

    Chen Ren hummed at that. "Maybe. But we¡¯ll get our answers soon enough..." he frowned. Suddenly, his mind started rethinking everything. For what reason? He didn''t know. "You¡¯re sure it will work, right?" he asked.

    "I have no reason to lie to you," she said while licking her paws. "Your plan has a lot of variables, but it should work¡ª if you can lie as well as you do every time."

    Chen Ren feigned offence while touching his chest as if he was hurt. "It¡¯s called stretching the truth."

    But before he could continue, Yalan cut him off with a swipe of her tail, her gaze never leaving the warehouse. "Just keep watching the warehouse," she purred, the words like a command. "If we¡¯re lucky, he¡¯ll try to get out in the next hour."

    With a knowing smirk, Chen Ren followed her gaze, the cold wind tousling his hair as they both waited. The hours stretched out and the evening sun dipped under the horizon.

    ***

    Guo Jiang didn¡¯t have an easy life. He hadn¡¯t been born into a family of great cultivators, and in his younger years, he had lived an ordinary life. But fate had twisted his path when he had been found to have spirit roots and an emerging sect had taken him in. The sect promised to hone his potential, but all it had truly done was push him toward an existence of hardship.

    Rather than rising through the ranks and becoming immortal, Guo Jiang¡¯s talent proved to be insufficient.

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    His cultivation stagnated, and he found himself trapped in a cycle of disappointment. Determined not to be ordinary, he had sought out obscure techniques and forbidden manuals, hoping that they would give him the edge he needed. But those techniques came at a cost. His hair had fallen out in clumps, leaving him bald.

    The teasing started soon after. "Baldy," they called him, and the name stuck, a constant reminder of his failure. He despised it with every fibre of his being, but it also stoked the fires of his fury. One fateful day, after years of torment, he had killed the fellow disciple who dared to mock him. It wasn¡¯t long before he was cast out of his sect, an outcast among outcasts.

    Guo Jiang had wandered for a time, unsure of where to go. His plan had been to join the Soaring Sword Sect, to seek out a place where his talents might finally be nurtured. But that plan fell apart when his path crossed with the Blood Snakes in Cloud Mist City.

    It wasn¡¯t the righteous path he had once dreamed of. It wasn¡¯t the life of a cultivator. But it was something more¡ªa life where strength, ruthlessness, and ambition ruled. A life where he could thrive without the restrictions of sects or laws.

    Soon, he had joined the Blood Snakes, a notorious gang, and quickly rose through the ranks, his status as a cultivator was a useful tool in gaining power. But with power came enemies, and Guo Jiang had made his share. Yet every enemy that had crossed him had eventually tasted his wrath. He was a man driven by vengeance and fury, and no one who crossed him ever got away unscathed.

    And as he sat caged in the empty warehouse, he swore that Chen Ren would have the same fate.

    Of all the people Guo Jiang had clashed with, this one had been the worst. Chen Ren had burned him with scorching oil, chained him like an animal, and slapped him repeatedly to the point his face had swollen. The humiliation had been unbearable. The fury that had grown inside him burned hotter than ever, and it seemed like no amount of time could cool it.

    But he knew he couldn''t be hasty.

    He bided his time long after Chen Ren had left. The young master had made a mistake. He had failed to trap Guo Jiang in qi chains meant for cultivators. And now he had his chance.

    He waited in the dim shadows of the warehouse, listening carefully as he counted the minutes that passed. Chen Ren had moved away, likely thinking that he had left him to rot. But Guo Jiang was no fool. His time would come.

    He could feel the pulse of his own qi, still steady despite the weariness of his body.

    His wrists ached, and his limbs felt like they might give out, but his determination was stronger. With a swift motion, he focused his energy on his wrists and broke the chains that bound him.

    The chains fell with a sharp clang to the floor, their hollow echo ringing through the silence.

    Pain shot through him as he slowly stood, but he didn¡¯t falter.

    He gritted his teeth and moved forward, the world spinning slightly around him. The rage coursed through his veins, and his mind was set. He would have his revenge on Chen Ren. And when he escaped this place, he would make sure that the young master would regret ever crossing him.

    In the depths of the darkness, he made up his mind.

    The game was far from over.

    He spat the blood in his mouth on the floor. Guo Jiang¡¯s eyes then went to Zhi, still unconscious and sprawled on the cold, stone floor.

    He had nothing against the man, but he had no use of him right now. Perhaps later, he would come back to rescue him.

    Guo Jiang''s focus shifted quickly as he leaned against a stack of crates, peering cautiously through a crack in the window.

    The street outside was empty for the moment. No one in sight. His breath caught in his chest for a brief moment before he used crates to propel himself up before opening the window whole. He took another look outside and then slipped out, moving swiftly but carefully, his steps silent against the ground.

    He kept his senses sharp as he moved through the alleyways, keeping to the shadows, his body still aching from the earlier treatment.

    The faint twitch of his muscles throbbed within him, keeping him on his feet, though every movement felt like a weight he was pushing against. But there was no time for weakness.

    He had a plan, and his goal was clear¡ªrevenge.

    As he neared the crowded street, Guo Jiang blended into the chaos.

    The noise of vendors hawking their wares, the raucous laughter of drunks, and the chatter of people moving about all enveloped him. He was no longer just a bald man on the run; he was part of the pulse of the city, a shadow among many.

    His presence melted into the crowd, though his pace was the same. His eyes flicked left and right, knowing he should always be on alert.

    After weaving through several winding streets, he reached the slums of the city, a place no one dared tread unless they had business there. Its alleys were mostly empty and the few passerby only gave him a glance before continuing on their way.

    After a few minutes, he reached the middle of the slums and approached a restaurant, its sign barely hanging above the entrance.

    Two guards stood in front of it, their bored expressions turning to suspicion as they eyed him.

    "Beggars aren''t allowed here," one of the guards said dismissively.

    Guo Jiang¡¯s lips curled into a dark smile, his eyes glinting with malice. "Stupid bastards," he spat. "I¡¯m Guo Jiang. Now let me in." He paused and spat on the floor. "If you don¡¯t want to die quickly, you¡¯d better let me meet the boss."

    The guards froze at the mention of his name, their eyes widening with recognition. They both paled, realising just who they were dealing with.

    "S-Sorry, we didn¡¯t recognize you," one of them stammered, stepping aside.

    Guo Jiang gave them no more attention than they deserved, striding past them without a second glance. He muttered under his breath, the rage bubbling up inside him again.

    He walked through the door, the calm interior of the restaurant offering little warmth.

    But he didn¡¯t care. He was already planning his next move.

    What Guo Jiang didn¡¯t realise, though, was that a pair of eyes had never stopped watching him. He¡¯d been so focused on his escape, so consumed by his thirst for revenge, that he hadn¡¯t noticed the shadow slipping in behind him, trailing his every move.

    The door closed behind him.

    *** Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Tang Yuqiu glanced at Chen Ren, her brow furrowed in concern. "Do you really think it would work? Just you going and having a talk with him?" she asked.

    Chen Ren met her gaze, knowing she was worried about what was about to happen. "Well, we would also be creating a scene, making sure they take me seriously," he replied as a matter of fact. "But from what I know, there are very few cultivators in there¡ª other than Yu Kuang. The others, I can handle."

    He turned his attention briefly toward the restaurant building where Yalan had trailed Guo Jiang, the faint glint of the cat''s form vanishing into the shadows outside.

    His eyes flicked back to the concerned faces of Yuqiu and Xiulan, the former¡¯s brows knit in worry. Chen Ren hadn''t shared the full scope of his plan with them. Yalan was hidden from their sight for a reason¡ªsome trump cards were best kept close to the chest, even among allies.

    It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t trust them, but certain moves required discretion. They were obviously concerned about him due to thinking that he would be risking his life against a foundation establishment realm cultivator, but he kept his mouth shut.

    Around them, a half-dozen guards from the Tang Clan stood straight. They were mortal men, but their purpose was clear: to ensure Chen Ren had room to move toward the inner sanctum of the restaurant, where the boss¡ªYu Kuang waited. If anything went wrong, these men would keep the path clear long enough for Chen Ren to act.

    But for now, he needed to deal with the guards at the front of the restaurant.

    Chen Ren nodded at the men, then turned to his female companions. ¡°Just stay here. I¡¯ll be out of the place in an hour. Don¡¯t worry too much¡ªI¡¯ll handle it all. Not like I''m going and don''t forget I''m from the Chen Clan. A mere gang can''t stand against them, so if Yu Kuang tries to do anything, I will throw my clan name around.¡±

    The guards nodded in unison, while Yuqiu and Xiulan exchanged a brief glance. Despite their concern, they trusted him. They had no choice but to. And so, Chen Ren stepped forward, moving toward the restaurant entrance with light steps.

    The moment he approached, the guards at the door stepped in his way, their faces tense. ¡°The restaurant is closed,¡± one of them said curtly, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t break his stride. His eyes narrowed as he stared them down. ¡°I saw people entering here a while back,¡± he said, his voice cold.

    ¡°They are authorised to enter. You aren¡¯t.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips curled into a faint smirk as he spoke again, this time more forcefully. ¡°I believe I need to change that, then.¡±

    Before the guards could react, a surge of lightning crackled to life around him, arcing through the air in a flash of bright energy. The guards flinched back instinctively, their eyes wide with fear. But Chen Ren didn¡¯t give them time to recover.

    The final part of his plan began like that.

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon.

 Chapter 32: Taking out a gang (2)

    Yu Kuang¡¯s dark eyes narrowed as he glared at the man before him. The tension crackled between them, the air thick with unsaid threats. ¡°What did you just say?¡±

    The man who was on the opposite end flinched visibly. Baldy¡¯s lips trembled as he swallowed hard.

    ¡°We got beaten up and captured while trying to take down Chen Ren,¡± he repeated, eyes darting between Yu Kuang¡¯s piercing stare and the ground beneath him. ¡°The plan failed. He tried to interrogate me, but I refused to talk. I only managed to sneak out after he left.¡± He shifted uneasily, revealing bruises and cuts that spoke of a recent struggle. ¡°My current condition¡ªit¡¯s all because of that bastard.¡±

    Yu Kuang¡¯s neutral mask fractured, his gaze turning icy. Baldy shivered involuntarily. ¡°You were given one simple job: beat him up and make sure he remembers the warning,¡± Yu Kuang said. ¡°Chen Ren is a no-name rogue cultivator who lost miserably to Li Xuan. You have a more advanced cultivation than his, and you had numbers on your side. How did you fail?¡±

    Baldy¡¯s eyes flared with desperation as he stammered, ¡°Boss, he¡¯s tricky¡ªa real slippery bastard. He threw hot oil at us, so we couldn¡¯t keep our footing. Some of the guys ran as soon as they saw the tide turn.¡±

    ¡°Of course they did!¡± Yu Kuang snapped. ¡°Of course, they fucking did!¡± he repeated. ¡°You brought the low-level trash from our ranks. Do you even know why we keep them around? For numbers, Baldy, only for numbers!¡± He huffed, anger rolling off him in waves. ¡°Now, because of your incompetence, the whole plan is in tatters. Chen Ren and that Tang Clan girl should have been terrified of us, ready to bend to our will so we could take their precious perfume formula.¡±

    Baldy lowered his head, his face going pale.

    Yu Kuang¡¯s fists clenched, veins straining against his skin. ¡°But now? Because of your stupid ass, it¡¯s all down the drain. What exactly do you expect me to do now?¡±

    Baldy¡¯s mouth opened, but no sound came out. The only answer was the suffocating silence that filled the room. He opened his mouth twice more before his voice finally cracked as he stammered, eyes darting nervously to the floor.

    ¡°Boss, just one more chance. I¡¯ll heal up and handle it myself¡ªsmash his stall, wreck that perfume shop¡ª¡±

    Yu Kuang¡¯s expression hardened, the room seeming to chill under his glare. The silence stretched, suffocating, before he spoke, emphasizing every word as if even the idea was a joke. ¡°Trust you? They¡¯ll be watching now. You think they¡¯d fall for the same trick twice? Their morale will be high, and the guards won¡¯t look away as easily. Even that old, sickly bastard Tang Jihao will be aware now and he''s far worse to deal with due to his connections with the City Lord.¡± He exhaled sharply, muscles taut as he flexed his fists. ¡°No. If anyone¡¯s going to crush that upstart, it¡¯ll be me.¡±

    Before the threat could linger, a sharp knock shattered the tense silence.

    The door creaked open, and a Blood Snake member burst in, his face pale and eyes wild. His hair was all over the place as if he had raked through it over and over.

    Before Yu Kuang could conclude, the man spoke.

    ¡°Boss, we¡¯ve got trouble. There¡¯s a group storming the building¡ªtook out the men on the ground floor and are coming up fast.¡±

    Yu Kuang¡¯s eyes widened, his jaw tightening. ¡°Who?¡± His voice was a dangerous growl. ¡°Is it those Earthen Toad bastards again?¡±

    The man shook his head, sweat glistening on his brow. ¡°No, boss. It¡¯s not a gang. The man calls himself Chen Ren. He¡¯s here, demanding to talk, and he¡¯s taken down everyone in his way. He¡¯s a cultivator.¡±

    Yu Kuang glared at Baldy, whose face had turned ashen, the blood draining away as if he¡¯d seen a ghost.

    ***

    Since arriving in this world, Chen Ren had seen many changes in himself¡ªhis muscles stronger, his reflexes quicker, and an energy inside him that made him feel alive in a way he never had before. But out of all these changes, what he liked most was how powerful he felt compared to an ordinary man.

    A fist whistled past his ear, the rush of air sharp and close enough to stir the loose strands of his hair, but Chen Ren was already moving.

    He ducked low, muscles coiling like springs ready to snap, and drove his foot into the attacker''s chest with a force that made bones creak. The Blood Snakes thug was thrown back, gasping as he crashed into the wall and slumped. Before the man even hit the ground, Chen Ren twisted sharply, pivoting off his back foot and slamming his elbow into another opponent¡¯s jaw with a crack.

    Sparks of lightning crackled between his clenched fists, the sharp, unpleasant bloody scent of ozone filling the narrow stairwell. The men around him halted, their eyes wide and darting, a flicker of doubt in their expressions as they took in the electric energy that now danced across his knuckles.

    ¡°Now!¡± The single word ripped through the clamour, sharp and commanding. Chen Ren¡¯s voice sliced through the chaos like a blade, snapping the Tang Clan guards into motion. Their eyes, wide with tension moments before, now hardened.

    Staves whipped through the air, striking with thuds that resonated against flesh and bone. Short blades flashed, catching the dim light as they struck precisely, forcing the Blood Snakes men to retreat or double over with stunned grunts.

    The thugs, who moments ago wore smirks of confidence, now stumbled back, eyes darting between Chen Ren and the advancing line of Tang Clan guards. Panic rippled through them, their once-brazen attacks now faltering as they hesitated at the sight of the cultivator¡¯s aura, crackling with restrained power.

    Chen Ren¡¯s body was a blur as he wove through the fray. A pivot here, a sidestep there¡ªeach shift put him in the perfect position to disrupt an enemy¡¯s balance or open a path for the advancing guards. He gripped an attacker by the wrist, twisting until a sharp yelp escaped the man¡¯s lips, and shoved him into another oncoming foe. The two stumbled back, colliding against the rough stone wall with a thud that jarred their weapons loose.

    A gap widened in the chaotic press of bodies, and Chen Ren seized it.

    He hadn''t anticipated so many of them packed into one place. The stairwell was narrow, cramped, and filled with shouts and the thud of bodies hitting stone. But with his lightning arts crackling around him, the Blood Snake men were hesitant, their attacks sloppy and unfocused.

    Chen Ren took full advantage, gripping the rail and swinging himself upward, kicking one thug into the wall where he slumped, dazed.

    More men barreled down the steps, their momentum used against them as Chen Ren sidestepped again, letting them crash into one another. A sweep of his leg tripped another, who tumbled down with a yelp. The clang of weapons dropping echoed through the stairwell, but Chen Ren didn¡¯t pause.

    The climb was relentless. Every step was filled with flashes of lightning and gasps of shock. Chen Ren¡¯s heart pounded in his chest, not from exhaustion but exhilaration, the rush of battle reminding him of just how different¡ªhow superior¡ªhis body had become. One more kick, one more punch, and the path upward was finally clear.

    He pressed onward, muscles tensed as he climbed the narrow staircase toward the first floor. He found it mostly empty, only the occasional groan of the fallen echoing behind him. The sounds of skirmishes below reassured him that the Tang Clan guards were holding their own. Without pausing, he set his sights on the second floor.

    The air shifted as he reached the landing, heavier with tension. Three men stood waiting, eyes narrowed, bodies coiled like springs. Their auras thrummed with energy, and the fierce glint in their eyes revealed their status as cultivators.

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    Before Chen Ren could make a move, Yalan''s voice hummed in his mind.

    she warned.

    Chen Ren''s lips tightened into a thin smile.

    A moment later, the three cultivators burst into motion.

    Their feet barely touched the ground as they glided forward, bodies shifting with grace as their movement techniques left afterimages in their wake.

    The strongest of them held a sword that gleamed ominously under the dim lantern light, its edge whispering promises of lethal intent. The other two, with their heavy clubs, approached like storm clouds rolling in, threatening blunt devastation.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t give them a chance to close in. With a swift stomp, he drove his foot into the wooden floor, the boards cracking apart beneath him. Splinters shot up in jagged arcs, like tiny daggers catching the light. The advancing men faltered, eyes darting as the sharp fragments pelted them.

    He seized the moment. His body moved like a coiled spring, launching forward with explosive energy. His foot lashed out, catching the nearest club-wielder in the chest and sending him staggering backward, breath leaving him in a rush.

    The second man grinned, showing all of his teeth at once, swung his club in a brutal arc, the force behind it enough to break bones. Chen Ren shifted just enough to let the blow glance off his shoulder, a flash of pain registering before it was pushed aside by adrenaline. The impact brought him close, close enough to grasp the man¡¯s arm and pivot sharply, twisting the limb with a crack that sent the club-wielder reeling. In a fluid motion, Chen Ren hurled him into the path of the sword-wielder.

    The sharp clash of bodies echoed in the confined space, the sword-man¡¯s eyes widening as he struggled to avoid impaling his comrade. The momentary distraction was all Chen Ren needed. His fingers crackled with energy, the air around him heavy with the scent of blood. A thin grin tugged at his lips as he whispered, ¡°[Lightning Frenzy].¡±

    Arcs of blue-white electricity burst from his fingertips, leaping towards the three men. He moved forward and his fist moved forward in a blur and threw punches continuously.

    The sword-wielder¡¯s eyes rolled back as the current coursed through him, muscles twitching before he collapsed. The others crumpled beside him, twitching once before falling still.

    Silence descended, broken only by the creak of damaged floorboards and the muffled shouts from battles below. Chen Ren took a steadying breath, the electric buzz in his veins slowly fading.

    He stepped over the fallen, boots whispering against the wood as he moved to the staircase leading up.

    Yalan¡¯s voice murmured in his mind, this time lower, edged with unease.

    Chen Ren nodded, briefly halting and taking out a pendant from his pocket.

    Its surface glowed faintly as he put it on. He took a moment to catch Yalan¡¯s spirit energy swirling with intent as she walked past him with a lazy flicker of her tale. he whispered.

    A soft chuckle resonated within him as she replied nonchalantly, Yalan replied.

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips twitched into a smirk.

    ***

    Chen Ren didn''t encounter any more men on the third floor, allowing him a swift entry. He guessed most of them had run downstairs to confront the commotion, leaving it unguarded. Without hesitation, he moved past several doors and halted in front of a massive double door.

    Although he didn''t have Yalan''s senses, even he could feel the prickle of insurmountable energy coming from behind the door.

    He took a deep breath, steadying himself before he stepped into Yu Kuang''s office.

    The room spoke of power and luxury.

    Velvet drapes in deep crimson framed large windows that overlooked the dark alleys of the city. A mahogany desk sat in the center, polished to a mirror sheen, adorned with a small white tiger statue that seemed to glare at any who approached. Gold-accented furniture added to the opulence. The scent of rare incense lingered in the air.

    The man Chen Ren assumed to be Yu Kuang stood behind the desk. He appeared to be in his mid-thirties, with short, jet-black hair and a sharp, angular face that exuded a mix of cunning and malice. It was his eyes¡ªhis eyes that were sharper, holding so much more than met the eye.

    Along with depth of experiences, there was a sense of youthfulness to them. Yet, Chen Ren knew better; this man was much older¡ªmuch, much older than thirties.

    His eyes didn¡¯t linger on him for long as he scanned the room, noting the Baldy standing near another unfamiliar man. His face had gone deathly pale, eyes wide with recognition and dread.

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips curled into a mocking smile as he spoke, ¡°Thank you for showing me your boss¡¯s location. I couldn¡¯t have found it without your help.¡±

    ¡°You bastard!¡± Baldy spat, fists clenched at his sides.

    ¡°You should shut up. I¡¯m not here to talk to you,¡± Chen Ren replied smoothly, turning his attention back to Yu Kuang. ¡°But your boss? Now that¡¯s a different story.¡±

    Yu Kuang¡¯s dark eyes narrowed slightly. Chen Ren strolled over to a chair in front of the desk and sat without waiting for permission.

    ¡°I guessed you won''t ask me to sit. So, I''m just making myself comfortable,¡± he said.

    An oppressive force suddenly began to weigh down on him, rolling off Yu Kuang like a tide. Chen Ren¡¯s muscles tensed, a faint twitch in his jaw the only sign of discomfort. He forced himself to maintain a calm expression, meeting the gang leader¡¯s gaze without a trace of fear.

    ¡°If I were in your place, I wouldn¡¯t do that,¡± Chen Ren said, voice steady despite the pressure threatening to crush him.

    Yu Kuang¡¯s eyes gleamed with amusement as the aura intensified, pressing harder against Chen Ren¡¯s body. The air grew thick, almost suffocating, but Chen Ren willed himself not to flinch.

    Finally, Yu Kuang broke the silence. ¡°Good to finally meet you, Chen Ren. I was thinking about how to deal with you. But I wouldn¡¯t have guessed you were foolish enough to come here on your own. Now, let me propose a deal I often extend to those in your position.¡±

    His lips curled into a cold smile. ¡°Five thousand silver wen, your perfume formula, and crippling your cultivation. In exchange, I¡¯ll let you live. Isn¡¯t that generous?¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s smile widened as Baldy¡¯s lips twitched into a forced grin, but he ignored him, eyes fixed on Yu Kuang.

    ¡°Sounds like a terrible deal to me,¡± Chen Ren said calmly. ¡°Let me propose one to you instead. I will spare your life if you write down who exactly asked you to destroy my businesses and steal my formula. I won¡¯t even go as far as to cripple your cultivation. Just give me the name.¡±

    As soon as he completed his sentence, the air in the room thickened and the oppressive aura bore down on Chen Ren once again. His muscles tensed, and he gritted his teeth, feeling every ounce of pressure pushing him down. He did his best to not show it.

    Yu Kuang¡¯s smirk grew into a cold smile.

    ¡°So much boldness, yet so little strength,¡± Yu Kuang mocked. ¡°What gives you the confidence to stand against me when you know I could crush you with a single blow?¡±

    Chen Ren managed a strained smile, defiance flickering in his eyes. ¡°Good question,¡± he said, taking a deep breath. ¡°Why do you think I have the confidence to barge in here and face you when we have realms between us? I believe you know the answer¡ªwhy don¡¯t you say it?¡±

    Yu Kuang¡¯s brow furrowed as suspicion clouded his features. ¡°I¡¯ve heard of your clan, but they haven¡¯t paid your debts. They won¡¯t come to your rescue.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not that,¡± Chen Ren replied while reaching into his robes. With a deliberate motion, he pulled out a small coin, its surface gleaming with a dragon emblem intricately engraved on the top. He placed it on the table, and the sharp clink of the metal echoed in the stillness, cutting through the tension in the room.

    Yu Kuang¡¯s eyes widened, recognition flashing across his features. ¡°A sect crest,¡± he muttered, as if unable to believe what he was seeing ¡°You¡¯re under a sect.¡± Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Chen Ren gave a simple nod. ¡°Yes. And right now, you¡¯re threatening the core disciple of my master.¡±

    At his words, the air in the room seemed to shift. A subtle glow began to emanate from the pendant hidden beneath his robes, giving off a soft, eerie light. The pressure in the room grew.

    Without warning, the pressure intensified¡ªan invisible force far stronger than Yu Kuang¡¯s aura began to bear down on every person in the room. Baldy¡¯s eyes bulged in fear as his knees buckled. His body crumpled to the floor with a heavy thud, his face drained of colour, his breath coming in shallow gasps.

    Yu Kuang wasn¡¯t much better off. His own form swayed, his skin growing pale as his strength faltered under the pressure. His legs gave out from beneath him, and he too collapsed to the ground, hands scrambling to hold onto the table for support. His sharp features twisted in horror, the fear now unmistakable in his wide eyes.

    Chen Ren¡¯s smile remained, cool and unshaken as Yu Kuang''s aura disappeared.

    With just one move of his, the balance of power shifted and the tides turned.

    ¡°So, how do you like my deal now?¡± Chen Ren asked, liking the panicked gaze in front of him.

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon.

 Chapter 33: Scheming

    Yu Kuang¡¯s expression was a sight to behold, something Chen Ren could appreciate and wouldn¡¯t forget for as long as he lived. The suffocating aura that had once been so thick in the air, almost crushing him under its weight, had dissipated. It wasn¡¯t just gone; it was replaced by something far colder, far more menacing¡ªan aura that seemed to bleed directly from the necklace around Chen Ren¡¯s neck.

    The pendant looked small but it glowed as if there was a power that was trapped in it; pulsing with an energy that seemed to rise and fall like the heartbeat of some ancient beast.

    The temperature in the air dropped by several degrees, and for a moment, it all felt too still. Yu Kuang¡¯s eyes instinctively flicked toward the source of that chilling presence, the glimmer of the necklace catching his gaze.

    His lips parted, but no words emerged.

    His mouth opened and closed again as if he were trying to force out some coherent thought, but it was as though the very air had stolen his voice.

    The confidence that had once been so prominent in his eyes shifted to a stunned bewilderment. Behind him, the baldy¡ªwho had been so brash moments before¡ªwas now kneeling, his face drained of colour, eyes wide with terror. His hands trembled on the ground as though he was too afraid to rise.

    The third man was now sprawled unconscious on the ground, his body unable to withstand the pressure of the presence that surged through the air.

    Chen Ren let the silence linger for a moment longer, allowing them to feel the full weight of the aura that radiated from him. With just one move, he had made a silent declaration that he was in control and he revelled in the feeling of it.

    After a long moment, Chen Ren broke the silence.

    ¡°Now, I believe you understand why I was so confident coming here.¡±

    Yu Kuang¡¯s voice was shaky when he spoke, still struggling to compose himself, his words barely a whisper of their usual certainty. ¡°You... you¡¯re a disciple of a Meridian Expansion realm master¡­ one who gave you a spirit artifact with their aura locked inside it¡­¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s smile widened slightly, but he made no effort to confirm or deny the claim. ¡°She gave me more than that,¡± he said lightly, a playful tone dancing in his words. ¡°But I¡¯m not here to reveal all my secrets, and frankly, I¡¯d prefer not to use this artifact on you either. You just left me no choice. Now, let¡¯s move on to the matter at hand¡ªour deal.¡±

    He paused, letting his gaze shift to the kneeling baldy for a second before turning to Yu Kuang, who seemed to be still struggling with the shock. ¡°You know what? I have to say, I respect you a bit. We both are businessmen,¡± he continued, ¡°Though your business methods are something I would never replicate¡ªhonestly, I can¡¯t bring myself to do it¡ªI can¡¯t deny that you¡¯ve got skill to make such a gang. But even the best make mistakes, and this one? This was a wrong deal. And like any good businessman, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll understand the need to take responsibility for it.¡±

    The words hung in the air, as if to allow them to sink in fully. The temperature around them felt like it had dropped another degree, though it wasn¡¯t from the necklace now, but from the expectation that Chen Ren threw at Yu Kuang. There was no hostility, no more attempts at intimidation. Just the quiet tension of two businessmen, each aware that a line had been crossed.

    Yu Kuang¡¯s expression shifted, his arrogance fractured, but his pride remained. His eyes flickered to the baldy and then to the collapsed figure of his other companion, before narrowing on Chen Ren. He opened his mouth again, but this time, he seemed to realise that whatever he said next would matter more than it ever had before. The game had shifted¡ªno longer was it about threats, but about understanding. Chen Ren knew what would come next¡ªa deal.

    He gritted his teeth and with narrowed eyes, he visibly clenched and unclenched his wrist. His pride had been shredded, but there was no escaping the reality now. Yu Kuang finally spoke. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you everything.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, sensing the shift in Yu Kuang. ¡°It¡¯s Bai Hu Trade Association¡¯s doing, right?¡± he asked.

    Yu Kuang gave a reluctant nod, his voice tight as he spoke the name that now bound him in this web of deceit. ¡°It¡¯s the chairman¡¯s son, Bai Shen. He agreed to give us a thirty percent cut if we managed to get the formula from you and destroy your business.¡±

    Chen Ren raised an eyebrow, the surprise flickering across his face, but he quickly masked it with a knowing smile. ¡°That¡¯s a lot.¡±

    Yu Kuang¡¯s expression darkened, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I got caught in greed. I did everything because of that. Like you said, I made a bad business deal, and now I¡¯m paying for it.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded slowly, his gaze calculating as he processed the information. Bai Shen¡¯s desperation was more than obvious. Offering such a significant cut to an organisation like the Blood Snakes showed just how much was at stake for him. But something about this struck a deeper chord. His thoughts flickered, but he kept his focus sharp, unwilling to let his mind wander too far.

    What did catch his attention more than anything was the complete shift in Yu Kuang¡¯s demeanour. The arrogance had crumbled, replaced by something far more grounded¡ªa man faced with the consequences of his actions. But it wasn¡¯t just the sudden shift that intrigued Chen Ren. It was the power behind it, the very same power that was now asserting itself in this space. It wasn¡¯t him that Yu Kuang feared, but the aura of influence that hung over him. That has always been the key in this world¡ªpower. Cultivation realms weren¡¯t just a pursuit; they were the bedrock of everything.

    Still, Chen Ren didn¡¯t let his musings take hold of him. Instead, he kept his focus steady as he looked directly into Yu Kuang¡¯s eyes. ¡°I need your word. After this, you won¡¯t go after my business, or the Tang Clan¡¯s business.¡±

    Yu Kuang¡¯s mouth opened slightly with hesitation before he nodded, his voice almost hollow. ¡°With your master behind you, I¡¯d be a fool to go after you.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips twitched in satisfaction, but he didn¡¯t let the matter rest. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll take your word on it.¡± Then his expression shifted to something more amused, the corners of his mouth curling in a smirk. ¡°But I¡¯d like it in writing.¡±

    Yu Kuang blinked in confusion. ¡°What?¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s smirk deepened. ¡°Not just your word that you won¡¯t harm me or my businesses anymore. I want you to put down on paper that Bai Shen was behind all this. That he made this deal with you."

    Yu Kuang¡¯s face contorted in discomfort, his eyes darting around the room, as though seeking an escape from the situation. ¡°My reputation will be ruined,¡± he protested, his voice tight.

    Chen Ren shrugged nonchalantly, as if the matter wasn¡¯t worth arguing. ¡°A gang shouldn¡¯t care about that. And you¡¯re getting off easy here, trust me. I¡¯m not using it to go after you or your people. I just need it to take down Bai Shen. Nothing more, nothing less. So just do it.¡±

    He watched Yu Kuang hesitate, his pride clearly battling against the harsh reality of his situation. After a long pause, it seemed like the truth finally sank in. He exhaled sharply, his shoulders slumping as if the weight of his choice pressed down on him. "Fine," he muttered, and Chen Ren could see the bitterness in his expression as the words left his mouth.

    Chen Ren gave a single, approving nod, his expression turning satisfied.

    The light from the pendant flickered, its power undisturbed by the exchange, yet it had served its purpose¡ªletting Yu Kuang know that any further resistance would be futile. The balance of power had irrevocably changed, and Yu Kuang understood this now more than ever.

    He gave a final glance at Chen Ren before moving to a nearby table, where a piece of parchment and a quill were neatly placed.

    He sat down, the motions slow, almost looking painful, and began to write. The scratch of the quill against the paper was the only sound in the room, and Chen Ren watched with a quiet sense of satisfaction.

    ¡°Sign it, too,¡± Chen Ren said, his voice calm, but there was an edge to it that left no room for argument. Yu Kuang paused, looking up at him with a slight narrow in his eyes before nodding and continuing. He scrawled his signature at the bottom of the paper, his hand shaking ever so slightly as he pushed it toward Chen Ren.

    Chen Ren took the paper, his fingers brushing over it as he read the content. The words were exactly what he had asked for¡ªYu Kuang¡¯s admission that Bai Shen had orchestrated the entire plot, using the Blood Snakes to destroy his business. There was no mistaking it now. Chen Ren nodded once, satisfied with the document.

    He stood up, intending to leave, but as he moved toward the door, he paused. Something caught his eye. To the side, in a chest, he saw a sack filled with silver wen¡ªheavy and full. It gleamed under the dim light, and Chen Ren could sense the amount of wealth it contained.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± he asked, his voice casual, though his eyes were sharp.

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    Yu Kuang, though clearly unwilling to part with it, didn¡¯t hesitate this time. ¡°One thousand silver wen,¡± he muttered, almost apologetically.

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips curled into a small, satisfied smile. ¡°I¡¯ll take it as compensation for the injuries your men caused on Market Street,¡± he said, his tone indifferent but firm. ¡°Also, consider it for the mental strain I¡¯ve gone through.¡± He paused, watching Yu Kuang¡¯s face for any sign of objection. ¡°Oh, and one more thing¡ªtry not to send your men into Market Street again. I wouldn¡¯t want to see more of this happening.¡±

    Yu Kuang said nothing, his gaze falling to the ground as though ashamed. He knew better than to argue now. With a reluctant nod, he pushed the pouch over toward Chen Ren.

    Without another word, Chen Ren grabbed the sack of silver and moved toward the door. He slid it open and stepped out, heading downstairs.

    As he descended to the ground floor, the sounds of the chaos from earlier became clearer. There, in the dim light of the lower hall, the Blood Snakes were scattered across the floor. Bodies were sprawled in every direction, some groaning, others unconscious, their blood staining the wooden floor in pools. The air was thick with the scent of it. Yet, what struck Chen Ren most was the absence of Tang Clan members.

    He had instructed them to leave, to retreat after the battle had reached its peak and avoid unnecessary casualties. It seemed they had followed his orders well, as none of them were seen among the fallen.

    The Blood Snakes, however, had not fared nearly as well. Their members were bruised, battered, and broken. Though the fight had been brief, the result was decisive.

    Chen Ren gave a brief glance over his shoulder as he exited the building, his eyes scanning the area one last time to ensure no one was following. The last thing he needed now was a loose end to tie up. The heavy tension from earlier seemed to dissipate, replaced by a calmness he liked. He felt the weight of the situation easing as the cool night air brushed against his face.

    It was then that he felt a sudden movement from his back, a light squirming sensation. Before he could react, a small form popped out, emerging from his clothing. A tiny kitten the size of his palm landed gracefully on his shoulder, its soft fur brushing against his skin. It was Yalan, but in a form far more fragile and small than he had ever seen before¡ª a kitten.

    Yalan¡¯s expression was one of clear discomfort, her brow furrowed in frustration. "This form takes too much of my energy," she muttered, her voice sounding almost strained. It was a squeaky, small sound that came from her. "Especially with trying to oppress that unsightly man."

    Chen Ren glanced at her, his lips twitching as he resisted the urge to reach out and pet her. It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t want to; he could feel the urge rising within him. The sight of her, so small and cute, was enough to melt anyone¡¯s hard front. But he knew better. This entire plan had succeeded because of Yalan''s techniques and the energy she had poured into their success. The last thing he could afford was angering her by treating her like a mere pet.

    He kept his gaze steady as he continued walking, allowing her to rest on his shoulder. Yalan, for her part, didn¡¯t seem to mind the perch, though her feline eyes glinted with annoyance at the situation.

    Chen Ren spoke softly in his mind, his tone reflective. "

    Yalan¡¯s voice, calm yet laced with a tinge of weariness, echoed in his thoughts.

    Chen Ren couldn¡¯t help but smile slightly at her words, but there was no time to linger on that. His attention returned to the task at hand, and he slowed his pace for a moment, speaking aloud this time.

    Yalan¡¯s voice responded with a faint, exasperated sigh.

    Chen Ren nodded, his lips curling into a small smirk.

    A chuckle escaped his lips, though it was quiet.

    Yalan didn¡¯t respond immediately, perhaps contemplating the odd series of events. After a moment, she purred softly, as though giving him silent approval.

    Chen Ren considered that for a moment, letting her words sink in. It was true, after all. Sometimes, even the most insignificant things could be useful when used correctly.

    His thoughts were interrupted as he finally reached the main street, stepping lightly through the dim light cast by lanterns. His mind sharpened as he glanced around, aware that his actions earlier might have left traces. But everything was in place. The plan had gone off without a hitch, and now, it was time to take the next step.

    "Alright, let¡¯s keep moving," he muttered, pushing forward into the night. The game was far from over, but it helped that he let himself enjoy the quiet after a hell lot of chaos and blood.

    ***

    Chen Ren walked through the streets, the cool night air brushing against his face, Yalan still perched on his shoulder. The sound of his footsteps echoed softly in the narrow alley, and his mind was already preparing for the next phase. The plan had gone off without a hitch, but there was more to do, more to achieve. The feeling of victory was fleeting¡ªthere was always something else to move towards.

    As they reached the familiar alley where Tang Xiulan and Yuqiu waited, the two of them immediately relaxed when seeing Chen Ren¡¯s face. Their tense postures softened, the worry they had carried on their shoulders melting away in an instant.

    Yuqiu was the first to speak. ¡°How did it go?¡±

    Chen Ren gave a small, satisfied smile. ¡°As good as I could have hoped for.¡± He reached into his cloak, pulling out the signed document. He handed it over to them, watching their expressions as they unfolded it.

    Their eyes widened, brows furrowing in disbelief. Yuqiu, in particular, seemed ready to burst into flames. Her eyes narrowed, a deep frustration flashing across her face as she muttered, ¡°Bai Shen, that bastard¡­¡±

    Chen Ren chuckled softly, but his voice carried a hint of amusement. ¡°That sort of language doesn¡¯t suit you.¡± Yuqiu shot him a glare, still bristling with anger. "You seem to know him. Tell me more."

    She took a deep breath, her voice steadying, though it was clear she still had unresolved tension. "Bai Shen... he¡¯s the son of the chairman of the Bai Hu Trade Association. Spoiled. Arrogant. Far too confident for someone who¡¯s barely a cultivator. He only has seven spirit roots, but he¡¯s as stubborn as a genius blessed by heavens. Even after taking pills for his cultivation, he''s only at second star body forging realm. Last winter, I rejected his marriage proposal, and ever since then, he¡¯s been sending me a letter every week asking me to reconsider. He¡¯s convinced that I¡¯m making a mistake."

    Chen Ren smirked, letting out a quiet chuckle. "A love-sick young master. Sounds easy enough to deal with." His thoughts drifted for a moment, considering how he could use this to his advantage. Those obsessed with their pride, were often the most vulnerable to manipulation.

    Xiulan, who had been listening closely, looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "But how did you manage to deal with Yu Kuang, young master? A Foundation Realm cultivator would never have written something like that."

    Chen Ren''s grin widened as he turned his eyes toward her. "I told you I have my ways, but I like to keep my secrets," he said and almost threw her a wink, but stopped himself from doing so. "You¡¯ll find them out one day, if I feel like it." His gaze softened slightly. "For now, we should focus on Bai Shen. I¡¯m itching for a nice face-slapping."

    Tang Xiulan blinked at him, clearly taken aback. "Face-slapping?"

    Chen Ren¡¯s grin grew wider, the anticipation clear in his eyes.

    "You¡¯ll find out. Soon enough."

    ***

    Bai Shen sat across from his father, Bai Hu, in the lavishly decorated office of the Bai Hu Trade Association.

    His father¡¯s piercing gaze was fixed on him, scrutinising every detail of his posture. Bai Shen clenched his fists under the table, but he knew better than to show any weakness in front of his father.

    "Father," Bai Shen began, his voice brimming with self-assurance, "I¡¯ve tried everything to get their formula and ruin their business. My methods haven¡¯t worked, but don¡¯t worry¡ªsoon enough, their formula will be ours. I¡¯ve already made the arrangements. By any day now, I will present it to you. I¡¯ve ensured that the deal is all but done."

    Bai Hu remained silent for a moment, his sharp eyes never leaving his son. The older man¡¯s hands were folded neatly in front of him, his face unreadable as he processed the words. Finally, he spoke, his voice low but carrying an undeniable weight. "Are you sure?"

    Bai Shen¡¯s chest puffed out as he stood a little straighter, meeting his father''s gaze with a defiant grin. "Obviously, Father. You don¡¯t have to worry. You¡¯ll see it for yourself. As your son, I can never lose face." The words left his mouth with a smug assurance, as if he was already victorious.

    But before he could continue, a loud voice suddenly boomed from outside the office, cutting through the tension in the room like a blade.

    "Bai Hu! Bai Shen! Come out! I, Chen Ren, have come to deal with your unsightly tactics and put an end to them!"

    Both father and son froze, their faces turning towards the door at the same time. Bai Shen¡¯s smirk faltered, replaced by confusion. He shot a quick glance at his father, who was already rising from his seat, his expression darkening. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    He immediately took a step back due to instincts as he felt the anger coursing through him.

    "Let¡¯s go and see what this is about," Bai Hu muttered, his voice barely audible, though the command was clear. Without another word, both of them moved swiftly toward the door.

    As they stepped outside, the sight that greeted them made Bai Shen¡¯s blood run cold. Standing before them were Tang Yuqiu, a maid named Tang Xiulan who he had looked into, and Chen Ren¡ªhis eyes narrowed.

    They radiated an unsettling aura, their expressions calm yet determined.

    Bai Shen''s mind raced, trying to piece together what had happened. What was this boldness? Who did Chen Ren think he was to speak to them like this? His gaze flicked over to his father, only to find Bai Hu¡¯s face a mask of unreadable calm.

    "What¡¯s going on?" Bai Shen asked, his voice tinged with annoyance as he looked down at Chen Ren with a glare.

    Chen Ren, standing in the front, did not flinch at the question.

    His eyes were locked onto Bai Shen with a dead stare that held something deeper¡ªsomething cold, calculating.

    "Bai Shen," he said, his voice sharp and clear, "pleasure to make your acquaintance. But perhaps in a different situation, I would have treated you better. Today, I have come to teach you a lesson. For your unsightly tactics, for hiring the Blood Snakes to harm my businesses, I challenge you to a trial by might."

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon.

    Merry Christmas everyone! Love you all! No homo!

 Chapter 34: Faceslapping

    In any place, traditions and cultures were paramount, woven into the very core of life. One could not easily mend or break them.

    Even on Earth, countless customs bound societies together; this Xianxia world was no different. Here, traditions were upheld with a similar if not higher regard, especially those surrounding conflict resolution. The most notable of these was the Trial by Might¡ªa duel sanctioned by the empire, allowing cultivators to resolve disputes through combat, bound by strict rules to ensure fairness and safety. It was a custom respected by all and carried significant importance among cultivators.

    Yet, it was rare to see such a trial between mismatched power levels. To challenge someone weaker was to court dishonour; only equals met in such an arena. Perhaps that explained why, when Chen Ren uttered the words ¡°Trial by Might,¡± an unnatural silence gripped the courtyard. The father and son duo, Bai Hu and Bai Shen, turned to him with expressions torn between disbelief and suppressed amusement, as though he had just declared the most ridiculous jest.

    The servants, who had gathered at the fringes of the courtyard, exchanged bewildered glances. A few gasped while others muttered nervously, unable to fathom that the young man before them would dare invoke such an audacious challenge.

    ¡°Trial by Might?¡± Bai Hu¡¯s deep voice cut through the silence, laced with incredulity. His eyes narrowed as he stepped forward, the golden embroidery of his robe shimmering in the late afternoon sun. ¡°Do you even realise what you are saying, boy?¡±

    Chen Ren met his gaze without wavering. The feeling of the stares, the scepticism, and the murmurs of disbelief pressed down on him like a storm, but he held firm. He was certain of his decision, and nothing could make him change that now.

    ¡°I do,¡± he said with a sturdy voice. ¡°And I have more than enough reason to challenge your son to a Trial by Might.¡±

    A hushed tension fell over the courtyard at his words.

    ¡°Preposterous,¡± Bai Shen muttered, though a flicker of uncertainty crossed his face.

    Chen Ren ignored the whispering servants and the stunned expressions around him. He took a deliberate step forward, lifting a scroll in one hand. ¡°To ensure the legitimacy of this challenge,¡± he continued, ¡°I have already requested the presence of an official from the City Lord¡¯s office.¡±

    As Chen Ren spoke, he gestured to the back where Liu Wen stood alongside an older gentleman, an official from the City Lord¡¯s office. The man¡¯s role was unmistakable: he was a special official tasked with overseeing Trials by Might, a position that ensured such matches adhered to the laws and traditions of Cloud Mist City and Kalian Empire. Given the city¡¯s proximity to a sect, these trials were not uncommon.

    Bai Shen¡¯s eyes widened with shock, darting between Liu Wen, the official, and Chen Ren.

    ¡°You¡¯re claiming I¡¯ve done something deserving of a Trial by Might? Where¡¯s your proof?¡± Bai Shen yelled, his voice strained with disbelief. ¡°And aren¡¯t you ashamed of yourself, challenging me? I''m only a second-star body forging realm cultivator, while you¡¯re a fourth-star one.¡±

    Chen Ren shrugged at that, acting nonchalant at his words as if they meant nothing.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m not ashamed. I believe it¡¯s you who should be.¡± He held up a note, the parchment swayed gently with the wind passing by as he spoke. ¡°Not only did you try to seize our supply lines¡ªwhich, while legal, is underhanded¡ªbut you didn¡¯t stop there. You sent the Blood Snakes to destroy my businesses and even threatened the lives of my employees and business partner Tang Yuqiu, the daughter of the Tang Clan¡¯s head Tang Jihao. I have it here in writing, evidence that implicates you in these acts. And I believe it¡¯s sufficient grounds for this challenge, unless you¡¯d prefer I take this matter to the city guards.¡±

    Both Bai Hu and Bai Shen paled visibly at Chen Ren¡¯s declaration. Bai Hu¡¯s composure cracked as he rushed to descend the stairs, snatching the note from Chen Ren¡¯s grasp and scanning its contents with frantic eyes.

    Chen Ren couldn¡¯t help but notice the slight shakiness of the old man¡¯s hands.

    ¡°Don¡¯t try to destroy it,¡± Chen Ren warned. ¡°The official has already reviewed it. You¡¯ll only make things worse if you do.¡±

    ¡°This¡­ this is fake,¡± Bai Hu sputtered, though the tremor in his voice betrayed his doubt.

    ¡°Ask Yu Kuang if you think it¡¯s fabricated,¡± Chen Ren retorted. ¡°Your son is well-acquainted with him, after all.¡±

    Bai Hu¡¯s gaze shifted to Bai Shen, who stood frozen in place, eyes wide and face ashen as the weight of the accusations crashed down upon him.

    At that moment, the official stepped forward, his voice cutting through the tension. ¡°Bai Hu, Bai Shen, the letter is authentic. We have Yu Kuang¡¯s signature in our records, and it matches those from his time in our custody decades ago, well before he formed his gang. Everything Chen Ren has claimed has been verified. There are indeed enough incidents to justify a Trial by Might, even with a disparity in star levels. Both are in the same realm, so it stands.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips curled into a subtle smile. ¡°If you don¡¯t want a Trial by Might, I can take this proof straight to the city guard. I¡¯m sure Tang Jihao will also pursue the matter, considering his daughter¡¯s life was nearly threatened.

    ¡°That¡¯s not true!¡± Bai Shen blurted out, ¡°It was never meant to harm Yuqiu.¡±

    Chen Ren raised an eyebrow. Before he could respond, Tang Yuqiu stepped forward, her eyes fierce. ¡°Oh really? Then what was it? Do you think I¡¯m unaware of how you despise me and wish me gone because I rejected your proposal? And don''t you dare call me Yuqiu!¡±

    Bai Shen¡¯s face flushed, and he stammered, ¡°It¡¯s not like that. My intentions for you are¡ª¡±

    ¡°You can try to persuade her again later,¡± Chen Ren interrupted sharply. He heard some snickers from behind, coming from the crowd who were now gathered around. ¡°Right now, we¡¯re discussing the terms of the Trial by Might.¡± He turned to Bai Hu, who seemed deep in thought as he weighed his options. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    His eyes scanned the parchment again and again as if he was trying to find something to get out of this mess. But it was foolproof. He could do anything, but accept Chen Ren''s terms.

    Finally, Bai Hu looked up, his expression guarded. ¡°What do you want in exchange for sparing my son?¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes hardened. ¡°I won¡¯t kill him¡ªthat¡¯s not my way. I only want him to fight. The prize will be five thousand silver wen.¡±

    ¡°Five thousand?¡± Bai Hu¡¯s voice rose, incredulous. ¡°You must be joking.¡±

    Before he could protest further, Tang Yuqiu stepped in, her voice resolute. ¡°Originally, I wanted to claim your businesses, but since Bai Shen doesn¡¯t truly own them, that¡¯s not possible. If you value his life, put up the five thousand silver wen as the prize. It¡¯s simple: if you don¡¯t want to lose your money, ensure your son wins.¡±

    The official cleared his throat, glancing between the parties. ¡°Is this acceptable to both sides?¡±

    The tense air in the courtyard was thick. Chen Ren could feel it, and he was sure the father and son duo too knew what was coming.

    It was evident by how Bai Hu¡¯s clenched jaw and white knuckles betrayed the turmoil swirling in his chest as he turned sharply towards his son, Bai Shen. His eyes burned with a ferocious mixture of frustration and helplessness. Bai Shen, standing at the edge of the stairs, trembled under his father¡¯s glare, his voice a weak whisper.

    ¡°Father... you¡¯re not really going to agree, are you? Do you understand what will happen to me?¡±

    Bai Hu¡¯s fists tightened, his face a storm of fury and defeat. ¡°You idiot,¡± he growled, the words dripping with venom. ¡°They have actual proof, Bai Shen. Do you think I could stop this once it reaches the City Lord¡¯s ears? My reputation will be shattered, no matter what. All of this... all of it because of you.¡± He stepped closer, his towering frame casting a long shadow over his son. ¡°I can¡¯t afford to make an enemy of the law. Do you understand that?¡± He paused for a moment and scanned his son¡¯s face. ¡°He said he won¡¯t kill you. So just, get it over with.¡±

    Stolen novel; please report.

    His son¡¯s expression faltered, and the fear deepened in his eyes. ¡°But what if he cripples me, Father?¡± Bai Shen¡¯s voice wavered, as though speaking louder might make the threat more real.

    Bai Hu¡¯s gaze softened, before he could reply, Chen Ren spoke up.. ¡°I won¡¯t kill you, but I will make sure you can¡¯t get up from your bed for the next few months.¡±

    Bai Shen paled, the blood draining from his face. ¡°Please... no. Please, I beg you.¡± His hands shook violently, his knees visibly threatening to give way beneath him.

    Bai Hu¡¯s patience seemed to have worn thin as he huffed at his son. With a sharp motion, he gestured to the servant standing nearby. ¡°Get me a spear. The best quality one you can find.¡±

    The servant, without any question or hesitation, hurried off, returning moments later with a gleaming spear, its blade polished and sharp enough to draw blood with the lightest of touches.

    Bai Shen gasped loudly as his gaze fell upon the weapon, his face turning pale.

    ¡°Take it,¡± Bai Hu commanded, pushing the spear into his son¡¯s trembling hands. ¡°Get it over with.¡±

    Bai Shen barely held the spear, his fingers seemingly numb with fear.

    ¡°Get the best healer. We¡¯ll need him afterward,¡± Bai Hu ordered loudly.

    With that, the trial was set to begin. The crowd around them parted, giving space for the trial to begin. The official, standing tall in the centre, raised his hand, announcing the trial by might.

    "The allegations against Bai Shen will be settled here today. Bai Hu, in his wisdom and to save his son from further disgrace, has taken full responsibility in his son''s place." His gaze swept across the spectators, ensuring every ear caught the gravity of the moment. "This trial, unlike others, will not result in death or permanent crippling. The only outcome will be one of victory or defeat, based on the ability to continue. The victor will be awarded five thousand silver wen, a sum that should not be taken lightly."

    He paused, his eyes flickering toward Bai Hu and his son, both standing on opposite sides, tension thick in the air. "The fight will end when one combatant can no longer continue. Whether through submission or incapacity, when one fighter is unable to stand, the contest is over."

    Bai Shen¡¯s gaze locked with the figure standing before him, Chen Ren. There was no warmth in his eyes, only cold calculation. He swallowed hard, his throat tight as he made one last desperate attempt to sway his opponent.

    ¡°I have no intention of harming you, Chen Ren,¡± Bai Shen called out, his voice trembling, but still trying to sound dignified. ¡°You must understand¡ªif you hurt me, you will never recover from the humiliation you¡¯ve brought upon us. No relationship will ever be formed between the Bai Hu Trade Association and you.¡±

    Chen Ren remained calm at his words, but his lips curved into a smirk. ¡°I don¡¯t care about your association,¡± he replied flatly, his tone devoid of empathy. ¡°I¡¯ve already made my decision.¡±

    Bai Shen¡¯s face twisted with frustration, but desperation clawed at him. ¡°Then take the prize money, spare me, and walk away. That¡¯s all I ask.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes darkened, and he stepped forward. ¡°I won¡¯t. You tried to harm me first and I need to give it back. That''s the way of the world.¡±

    Bai Shen¡¯s face twisted with rage, his nostrils flaring up. ¡°In that case...¡± His grip on the spear tightened, his knuckles turning white. ¡°I will show you the might of the future leader of the Bai Hu Trade Association!¡±

    With a loud noise, he surged forward, the spear aimed at Chen Ren¡¯s chest, his movements fueled by desperation and the last remnants of his pride.

    But Chen Ren had already seen the strike coming. It was too slow, too predictable. With a casual sidestep, he evaded the spear¡¯s thrust effortlessly.

    Bai Shen let out a squeal like a little girl as the spear sliced through empty air.

    Before he could react further, Chen Ren¡¯s hand flashed out.

    A sharp slap echoed through the courtyard, ringing like a clap of thunder. Chen Ren watched as Bai Shen¡¯s head snapped to the side, the force of the strike leaving a deep red mark across his cheek.

    The man glared at him, his eyes burning with anger, but it was clear from the tremor in his stance that he wasn¡¯t prepared for the level of humiliation he was about to endure.

    The crowd gasped collectively, murmurs rippling through the onlookers, but Chen Ren didn¡¯t pay them any mind.

    His focus was solely on the man lying before him. Bai Shen¡¯s face twisted in shock as his body flew backward, crashing into the stone with a sickening thud. The impact knocked the breath out of him, and Chen Ren could see the disbelief written across his face.

    For a brief moment, Bai Shen struggled on the ground, his fingers twitching as he reached for his spear. Chen Ren could see the panic begin to settle into Bai Shen¡¯s chest, his desperation making his fingers tremble as they brushed against the shaft of his weapon.

    Chen Ren moved with an inhuman speed, his voice cold and cutting. "No."

    With a quick motion, he stomped down hard on the shaft of the spear, pinning it to the ground with a sharp crack. Bai Shen¡¯s weapon was useless now, and the man was completely at his mercy. Chen Ren stepped closer, watching as Bai Shen¡¯s shallow breaths came in quick, panicked bursts.

    ¡°Please¡­ don¡¯t,¡± Bai Shen¡¯s voice was barely a whisper, a mix of fear and desperation, but it held no power. Chen Ren saw the way the words faltered in his mouth, his plea hanging in the air and falling uselessly at his feet.

    "I''m just teaching you the meaning of face slapping." Chen Ren said.

    As he spoke, his hand lashed out once more. Another sharp slap echoed across the courtyard, Bai Shen¡¯s head snapping to the side with the force of it. Chen Ren watched the man¡¯s face redden, his eyes widening as the sting of the strike hit him once again.

    Before Bai Shen could recover, Chen Ren slapped him again, his palm connecting with the other side of his face. Each slap landed with a sickening force, and Bai Shen¡¯s body jerked with every blow. The crowd¡¯s stunned silence was only broken by the sound of slaps, each one making the man¡¯s face swell more, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

    Chen Ren could see the fear now, the trembling in Bai Shen¡¯s hands as he tried to shield his face, but it was futile. Every time Bai Shen tried to move, tried to beg, another slap came.

    Each one was more brutal than the last, and Bai Shen¡¯s pleas for mercy were drowned out by the sharp cracks of Chen Ren¡¯s hand against his skin.

    The man¡¯s body jerked again as Chen Ren slapped him for the final time, his movements deliberate, his expression hard and unwavering. Bai Shen had completely given up now, his face swollen, his body slack and defeated.

    Bai Hu, his father, watched helplessly, the anger in his eyes turning to a bitter resignation. His voice broke through the chaos, desperate and hoarse. ¡°Spare him, Chen Ren! Please!¡±

    But Chen Ren¡¯s gaze never wavered from Bai Shen. He kicked him once, sending him stumbling backwards toward the stairs, the force of the blow sending him crashing against the stone steps.

    Bai Hu stepped forward, his expression torn between anger and helplessness, but Chen Ren¡¯s voice rang out.

    ¡°I am already sparing him enough.¡± He turned his back on Bai Hu, his focus returning to Bai Shen, who was now sprawled unconscious on the ground, his face a complete mess of blood and drool hanging from the corners of his lips. His face¡ªit was an ugly crimson.

    The official, still standing off to the side, quickly declared, ¡°The match ends! Chen Ren wins!¡±

    Bai Hu¡¯s face twisted with a barely contained rage, but he swallowed it down. "Get him to the healer now, quick!" he barked at his servants, the desperation evident in his voice. ¡°Get him a bed, get him anything¡ªjust make sure he¡¯s alive!¡±

    But before Bai Hu could turn to leave, Chen Ren¡¯s voice stopped him. ¡°Consider this a warning, Bai Hu,¡± he said, his tone calm, yet icy. "I¡¯ll always have the letter, and if you try anything... I¡¯ll remember my grudges. The next Trial by Might will not have the rule of no killing." His eyes bore into Bai Hu with an unspoken promise. It came out exactly how he wanted¡ªcold and ruthless. ¡°Now, why don¡¯t you give me my money?¡±

    Bai Hu¡¯s teeth ground together, his mouth opening as if to retort, but then his gaze shifted to his son, who was still lying unconscious on the stone floor. With a deep, reluctant sigh, he turned to his servant. "Get me a bag with the money," he ordered.

    As Bai Hu personally helped lift his son onto a stretcher, the servants quickly moved to push it up the stairs, their faces drawn with worry. Bai Hu sighed defeatedly and walked slowly behind the son, his eyes never leaving the latter¡¯s battered form.

    A few moments later, one of the servants returned, a heavy bag of coins in hand. She handed it over to Chen Ren, and bowed subtly before running back.

    Chen Ren took the bag, his fingers feeling the weight of it, the sound of coins clinking inside almost mocking Bai Hu¡¯s defeat.

    ¡°Good job with that bastard,¡± Tang Yuqiu¡¯s voice broke through the silence, her footsteps approaching from behind. Chen Ren turned to see her and Xiulan walking toward him, both of them wearing expressions of approval. "I doubt Bai Shen will try anything now."

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips curled slightly, the satisfaction of the victory lingering in his eyes. ¡°Probably not. His face will take time to recover. And every time he looks in the mirror, he¡¯ll remember this. Either way, Bai Hu won¡¯t bother us anymore.¡± His gaze drifted toward the retreating figure of Bai Hu, then back at the bag of coins in his hands. A wide smile plastered itself on his face. ¡°I thought businesses will help me pay back my debt, but I should have just challenged an idiotic young master. With this, our perfume shop will thrive more and my major worry is gone. I''m debt free!¡±

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon.

 Chapter 35: Chosen

    Chen Ren had known relief before. It was the kind of thing that moved through your very soul, unshackling burdens you didn¡¯t realise you carried. He had felt it when he pocketed his first paycheck from a part-time job, a small wad of bills that carried the scent of hard-earned freedom. He had felt it when the girl he had nervously asked to prom said yes, that too, with a broad smile on her face. He had even felt it after the merciful end to a week-long battle with loose motions that had left him clutching his stomach.  S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    But none of those moments came close to what he felt now. The suffocating heaviness of debt that had started to eat him had been swept away.

    The debt hadn¡¯t even been his to begin with, yet he had never imagined he could repay it so quickly. The perfume shop had proven to be a gold mine, its success bolstered unexpectedly by the blunders of others. Between Yu Kuang¡¯s greed and Bai Shen¡¯s idiocy, Chen Ren had managed to secure six thousand silver wen in just two days¡ªmore than enough to settle his history to Feng Ming and the other creditors.

    For the first time in what felt like ages, he was truly free.

    With that freedom came opportunity. His perfume business was thriving, selling an average of a hundred bottles a week. Each one, priced between 5 and 8 silver wen, brought in a weekly income of five hundred to eight hundred silver wen. Even after deducting expenses for employees and herbs, the profits were staggering. His purse, once perpetually empty, was now steadily filling.

    But freedom wasn¡¯t just about money.

    For him, it meant finally being able to turn his attention to something he had been putting off¡ªhis cultivation. He wanted to push through his breakthrough and get stronger.

    In his quiet room, Yalan sat perched on his desk. The ambers in her eyes dragged his attention like usual.

    ¡°I believe you¡¯ve practised enough now,¡± she said with a purr, gaining his full attention. ¡°You¡¯ve been in enough fights to temper your foundation. It¡¯s time to connect to your star space and reflect on your dao. Unlike martial cultivators, who train their bodies and absorb qi, your path relies on simply gaining more and more wealth and reward you for it. Your recent gains should make it possible for you to push forward. I¡¯m curious to see if you¡¯ll skip any stages this time.¡±

    Chen Ren moved to the centre of the room and settled into a meditative position. He looked up at her and tilted his head.

    ¡°Do you think I can?¡± he asked simply.

    Yalan nodded and continued to lick her paw gracefully.

    ¡°Yes. The success of the perfume business is a breakthrough in itself. It¡¯s evidence of your growth, both as a cultivator and a merchant. From what I recall, the farmer cultivator I spoke of gained advancements by achieving milestones¡ªwhether it was cultivating special plants or acquiring rare farm animals. Your system is similar, though how it manifests will be unique to you.¡±

    Chen Ren chuckled softly, shaking his head. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see what comes of it. The last time I entered the star space, it was¡­ weird.¡±

    He closed his eyes and took a steady breath.

    The star space was where he had first glimpsed the dragon, its majestic form entwined with the essence of the stars. He had wondered if it was something unique to him, but apparently every cultivator had it; a mind space of sorts that they found themselves in while cultivating.

    And now, it was his turn.

    Chen Ren closed his eyes, all his thoughts fading away as he drew in a long, steady breath. The qi in his dantian began to swirl, a gentle current that gradually built into a flowing river, carrying warmth through his meridians. Each inhale deepened his focus, grounding him in the hum of life coursing through him. His heartbeat slowed, his thoughts quieted, and soon the world dissolved into stillness.

    When he opened his eyes again, he stood within his star space. The sheer vastness of it struck him once again, as it always did. The space stretched endlessly, a boundless void filled with floating stars that twinkle and danced like fireflies in the night. The qi here was thick, tangible, and alive, moving like a threat through the air.

    Chen Ren tilted his head back, gazing at the stars that filled the sky above him. They were luminous, their glow-like steady beacons that pulsed in harmony with the energy within him. For a moment, he stood there, watching and wondering at the mysterious realm born from his own mind.

    The beauty of it was humbling.

    Then, as he continued to watch, the stars began to dim one by one. Their glow ebbed, their light faded. A quiet unease settled over him as he looked on, but it didn¡¯t last. Two stars remained, their lights still twinkling.

    Chen Ren¡¯s breath hitched as understanding dawned upon him, clear and instinctive. These two stars represented his businesses¡ªthe noodle stall and the perfume shop. They were the milestones that had propelled him along his dao.

    His gaze lingered on them, remembering his journey. He closed his eyes, focusing first on the noodle stall and how he had done it. It had been easy; making use of a delicacy that wasn¡¯t in this world, improving ways he¡¯d made the noodles and selling it till it stuck.

    He¡¯d spun the story, explaining that the noodles were an exotic eastern delicacy¨Cwhich was half the truth, but it had worked great as his marketing and rumours had spread, propelling more people towards his stall.

    Was it morally right? Maybe. Maybe not. His words hadn¡¯t harmed anyone. So, while it might not have been entirely right, it wasn¡¯t wrong either. It was cleverness, and it had made the stall a success.

    His dao¡¯s response made one thing clear; he shouldn¡¯t blindly follow a path of righteousness. Instead, he needed to be shrewd¡ªnot in a way that harmed others, but in a way that allowed him to make things work more efficiently.

    That was the lesson the noodle stall had given him¡ª foreign knowledge and innovation weren¡¯t enough. To make something flourish, it had to be marketed, positioned, and delivered smartly. Without a story, even the best products would languish in obscurity.

    He didn¡¯t want that for his products. So, he took the best out of what he learnt.

    The more he thought about it, the larger amount of qi he felt entering him and boosting his strength. With open arms, he absorbed it before his focus shifted to the other star, the perfume shop.

    Unlike the noodle stall, this business had been a gamble in a saturated market, where competition was fierce and innovation was rare. Yet Chen Ren had seen what others overlooked. His mind rewound to the moment he had first spotted the gap in the market¡ªa yearning from the middle class, those caught between luxury and necessity, for a taste of refinement that didn¡¯t demand a king¡¯s ransom.

    He¡¯d acted swiftly, applying principles that vibrated deeply within his dao.

    It was a study that talked about how customers looked for the highest amount of satisfaction while buying a product. And he had placed the price of the perfume at that point where it gave the most benefits while giving him a good profit.

    The perfumes were bridges between aspiration and affordability, the scents were made to offer a hint of elegance without the suffocating price tag. It was an untapped demand, and he had delivered.

    The market responded, filling his coffers faster than he¡¯d dared to dream. But it wasn¡¯t without its trials. And he had learned another lesson¡ª wealth, like power, needed protection. A true businessman was a guardian, who should be prepared to defend what he built.

    As his thoughts solidified, the star seemed to shimmer in approval.

    Another rush of qi entered him, this time sharper, more concentrated. It filled him to the brim.

    And yet, his eyes couldn¡¯t help but wander. Beyond the two glowing stars were countless others, faint and distant, like unlit candles waiting for a spark. They hovered in the darkness, dormant yet brimming with potential. Each represented a business, an opportunity yet to be seized, waiting for him to master and integrate them into his dao.

    This was the essence of his path¡ª to conquer the stars, one by one, forging a constellation of wealth, ingenuity, and ambition. But it wasn¡¯t just about gathering riches¡ªit was about the journey, the challenges, and the mastery required to shape these stars into something greater.

    As he gazed deeper into the void, something shifted. The stars, once scattered and unassuming, began to align. Slowly, they formed a shape¡ªa massive, coiled dragon, its body stretching to fit the image.

    The two glowing stars became its eyes, gazing down upon him with an intensity that sent shivers racing down his spine.

    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    The pressure that followed was indescribable, not just physical but pressed against his very soul. Chen Ren¡¯s knees buckled, and for a moment, he struggled to breathe, yet he couldn¡¯t tear his gaze away from the dragon¡¯s eyes. They held , he felt both small and significant, as though his entire existence had been laid bare.

    Then, a voice echoed¡ªnot in the air, but in his mind.

    The words shook his very mind. Chosen? For what? The dragon¡¯s gaze bore into him, and for a fleeting moment, he thought he saw the stars behind it begin to flicker, their light about to vanish.

    But before he could comprehend what it meant, the star space began to dissolve. Everything including the stars, the dragon and the voice started getting sucked into a void¡ªor was the void always there?

    When Chen Ren opened his eyes, he was back in the quiet of his room, his breaths ragged and his body drenched in sweat. The qi within him felt denser, yet his mind raced with questions.

    He clenched his fists and blinked, disoriented, as his senses reoriented to the physical world.

    But what hit him first wasn¡¯t the light¡ªit was the smell. A pungent, acrid stench assaulted his nose, making him grimace.

    His eyes darted down, and to his horror, he saw a viscous black liquid pooling beneath him, ticky and foul. He scrambled to his feet, slipping slightly in the mess, and turned to Yalan, who stood nearby, licking her paws like nothing had happened, but her nose moved as if she was disgusted by him.

    ¡°What¡­ what is this?¡± Chen Ren stammered, gesturing to the puddle.

    Yalan raised an eyebrow and leaned slightly away from the smell. ¡°Your extremities,¡± she said matter-of-factly, her tail flicking in the air as if to dispel the odour. ¡°Advancement purges impurities from your body. These are the toxins you''ve accumulated over the years. Your body is refining itself, becoming more efficient, more¡­ powerful.¡±

    Chen Ren frowned, still staring at the dark muck. ¡°How does that even work? I mean, all the science I know doesn¡¯t¡ª¡±

    She cut him off with an exasperated meow. ¡°I don¡¯t know your ¡®science,¡¯ and frankly, I don¡¯t care. Be glad you¡¯ve skipped three stars and now you¡¯re at the seventh. And,¡± she added, wrinkling her nose, ¡°go take a bath. You stink.¡±

    Before he could get up and move towards the shower, one of her sentences replayed in his mind. His brow furrowed as he turned back to her. ¡°Wait¡­ did you say three stars? I skipped three stars?¡±

    Yalan nodded, her expression softening slightly as she observed him. ¡°Yes. You¡¯ve surpassed three stages and are now at the seventh star body forging realm. You¡¯re rapidly approaching the threshold of the next realm.¡± Her voice carried a note of genuine admiration. ¡°Congratulations. I haven¡¯t seen someone with your talent advance so quickly before. It¡¯s¡­ remarkable.¡±

    He sank back onto the floor, the realisation hitting him like a tidal wave. Three stars. Skipping stages. The seventh. He glanced down at his body, even through the layer of grime, noticing subtle changes. His muscles felt denser, his movements lighter, his senses sharper. Even his skin seemed to glow faintly. And underneath the filth, there was a strength that hadn¡¯t been there before.

    He clenched his fists, relishing the energy coursing through him. The desire to test his strength burned within him, but before that, a lingering question nagged at the back of his mind.

    ¡°Yalan,¡± he said, looking up at her. ¡°After I bathe, I need your opinion on something.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    He hesitated, then asked, ¡°Do people normally¡­ see dragons in their star spaces?¡±

    Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she seemed out of a response. ¡°A what?¡± she demanded, leaning closer, but trying not to get herself onto the pool of blackness.

    ¡°A dragon,¡± Chen Ren repeated, watching her reaction closely. ¡°I saw one. It spoke to me.¡±

    Yalan stared at him, her lips parting as if to say something, then closing again. Finally, she muttered, ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re serious.¡±

    ¡°As serious as I smell right now,¡± Chen Ren said dryly, gesturing at the puddle beneath him.

    Yalan didn''t say anything for a while, stepping back away from him, but her eyes glued to him. Questions seemed to swirl on her face.

    Finally, she spoke. ¡°Go take a bath. We will talk after.¡±

    Chen Ren sighed but didn¡¯t argue. He wasn¡¯t about to spend another second covered in whatever this gunk was.

    ***

    On a late afternoon, Gu Tian strolled leisurely through Cloud Mist City, his dark robe brushing the dusty ground as his sword glinted faintly against his back. The crowd parted subtly as he passed, more out of instinct than recognition, their eyes catching the strange, quiet aura he exuded.

    He stopped at a roadside stall displaying countless bulbous fruits, their golden skins speckled with red and green streaks. He smelled the sweet aroma from the fruits and a temptation born in his heart. One hard to resist.

    As his pitch-black eyes settled on the shopkeeper, the man froze mid-gesture, his usual sales patter dying in his throat. The intensity of Gu Tian¡¯s gaze was heavy, like staring into an abyss that gazed back.

    The shopkeeper¡¯s hands trembled slightly as he adjusted his grip on a basket, sweat beading at his temple.

    Then Gu Tian smiled¡ªjust a small, relaxed curve of his lips¡ªand the tension eased like a breeze.

    ¡°How much for one of these?¡± Gu Tian asked.

    The shopkeeper quickly recovered, clearing his throat and picking up one of the fruits, which shimmered in the sunlight. ¡°Honourable Cultivator, this is a brought all the way from the famed Xuanshan Valley. It¡¯s ten copper wen. It¡¯s said to enhance one¡¯s focus and stabilise¡ª¡±

    ¡°Just give me one,¡± Gu Tian interrupted with a wave of his hand. ¡°Your sweet talk just sickens me.¡±

    The shopkeeper paled slightly but hurried to comply, plucking the finest fruit from the pile and placing it in Gu Tian¡¯s hand.

    Gu Tian knew that the man barely noticed the smooth weight of a coin dropped into his palm, his eyes flicking back to the sword strapped to Gu Tian¡¯s back.

    He bit into the fruit without ceremony, the juice bursting in his mouth with a mix of sweetness and tartness. He chewed slowly, savouring the unexpected sweetness, before glancing back at the shopkeeper.

    ¡°So,¡± Gu Tian said between bites, ¡°how¡¯s the city doing these days? Heard anything interesting? Something that might excite a young cultivator like me?¡±

    The shopkeeper hesitated, his eyes darting around as if searching for eavesdroppers. His hands fidgeted nervously as he leaned slightly closer. ¡°Well¡­¡± he began in a whisper, ¡°there are a few things people have been talking about.¡±

    Gu Tian nodded, but waited patiently, allowing the shopkeeper to respond.

    ¡°The city tournament¡ªit¡¯s happening in three weeks,¡± the shopkeeper said. ¡°A lot of promising young cultivators are expected to join. Always draws a crowd, and the rewards are said to be extraordinary this year.¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡± Gu Tian¡¯s tone was noncommittal, but his chewing slowed slightly as he considered this.

    ¡°And¡­¡± the shopkeeper continued, his voice dropping even lower, ¡°there¡¯s trouble with the Bai Hu Association. Apparently, their young master hired a gang to damage someone¡¯s business. But¡­ he lost a Trial by Might after angering the cultivator who owned it. Big scandal, they say. People are still whispering about it.¡±

    Gu Tian smirked faintly, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement. ¡°Always entertaining to see arrogance backfire.¡±

    The shopkeeper nodded nervously, then hesitated before sharing the last piece of news. ¡°And¡­¡± He swallowed hard, his voice barely audible. ¡°There¡¯s¡­ been a killer in the upper city. They¡¯re targeting the wealthy¡ªnobles, merchants. Three victims so far. The city guard¡¯s investigating, but no one¡¯s been caught yet. People are scared.¡±

    Gu Tian took another bite of the fruit. The sweetness now tasted sharper, almost metallic.

    His eyes glinted with interest, the faintest smirk playing on his lips. ¡°A serial killer?¡± he asked, taking interest in the last piece of information.

    The shopkeeper leaned closer, his nose almost touching his. Gu Tian wanted to move, but he held himself back, listening to the man''s words.

    ¡°Yes, honourable cultivator. There have been reports of similar types of bodies being found¡ªripped apart and sucked dry, like something unnatural killed it. They¡¯re saying a demonic cultivator is loose in the city.¡± He glanced nervously around. ¡°Some even say the city lord is considering delaying the tournament because of it. But he¡¯s resisting¡ªdoesn¡¯t want to show weakness.¡±

    Gu Tian chuckled softly, the sound more amused than concerned. ¡°Certainly interesting times ahead,¡± he said, brushing the shopkeeper¡¯s tension aside. His eyes gleamed again as he continued, ¡°Tell me about this tournament. Where can I register?¡±

    The shopkeeper straightened slightly, clearly more comfortable with this topic.

    ¡°You¡¯ll need to visit the city lord¡¯s office to sign up. It¡¯s mostly for body-forging realm cultivators and lower-star qi-gathering realm ones. It¡¯s a competition meant for the young¡ªno high-star qi-gathering cultivators join in, to avoid losing face. The Soaring Sword Sect is sponsoring it, handing out prizes. The city lord¡¯s throwing in a big plot of land outside the city, too. There is similar stuff to win, some artefacts and lots of spirit stones.¡±

    Gu Tian nodded thoughtfully, flipping the shopkeeper a one copper wen. ¡°Thanks for the information.¡±

    The shopkeeper bowed his head slightly, relief visible on his face as Gu Tian turned to leave. Strolling down the busy street, Gu Tian bit into the fruit again, the juices running down his hand. He savoured the sweetness, his steps light as he reached into his robe and pulled out another fruit¡ªone that hadn¡¯t been paid for, but sneaked from the stall. He bit into it without breaking stride, a carefree grin spreading across his face.

    As he walked, a faint whisper slithered into his ear, cold and sharp. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare enter the tournament.¡±

    Gu Tian didn¡¯t break his stride, addressing the voice in a low tone. ¡°And why not?¡±

    The whisper turned into a low hiss. ¡°There will be many cultivators there, even the high-level ones will be watching. If we¡¯re caught, it won¡¯t end well for either of us.¡±

    Gu Tian chuckled. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. You¡¯re here to mask my demonic qi, aren¡¯t you? Besides¡­¡± His eyes flicked up, his voice taking on a playful lilt. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear? The Soaring Sword Sect and the city lord are offering rewards. It could be that what we¡¯re looking for would appear in the tournament.¡±

    The ghostly voice fell silent, its reluctance hanging in the air. After a moment, it spoke again, resigned. ¡°Fine. But if tonight¡¯s raid is successful, we leave the city afterward. Agreed?¡±

    Gu Tian¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°We¡¯re raiding another clan tonight, then?¡±

    The ghost¡¯s voice hummed in the thrill. ¡°Yes. I overheard a conversation at the inn while you were asleep. There¡¯s a clan in the city¡ªthe Feng Clan. Their young lord deals in artefacts. We might find what we¡¯re looking for there.¡±

    Gu Tian licked the juice from his lips and then moved to his hands, doing the same motion shamelessly, his excitement barely contained. ¡°Sweet. Let¡¯s hope that the young lord puts up a decent fight. I could use a warm-up before the tournament.¡±

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon.

 Chapter 36: Spirit Manifestation

    Yalan gazed over Chen Ren, her amber eyes narrowing as she watched him move through the bustling market.

    Chen Ren walked between the crowd as if he was used to the chaos that it brought, and his steps were mindful to match his calm exterior amidst the noises. A faint smirk tugged at her lips¡ªhe didn¡¯t belong here, not in this world, not in this life, and yet he carried himself as though he had mastered it.

    , she mused, flicking her tail. Even for a man from another world, he was peculiar. Whispers of lost souls, like leaves caught in the wind, had reached her over the centuries¡ªotherworldly beings stumbling into this realm, often chasing grand dreams of martial supremacy.

    Most were snuffed out before their stories could be written, their fragile ambitions shattered by the sheer challenge of the path they sought. Yet, Chen Ren had defied expectation.

    Just days after his arrival, he had tethered himself to a dao so foreign, so unorthodox, that she¡ªan ancient spirit beast with lifetimes of knowledge¡ªcould scarcely comprehend it. It wasn¡¯t as if she was used to understanding outsiders, but this one walked a path utterly unlike any she had seen. A dao rooted in mundane simplicity yet profound in its execution, one that didn¡¯t shimmer with celestial glory.

    Despite his mediocre spirit roots¡ªlaughably weak by the standards of heavenly geniuses¡ªhis progress was nothing short of extraordinary.

    She could only attribute it to his sharp mind and the unusual knowledge of the world he called Earth, a place she could only imagine as chaotic and incomprehensible. Where others spent decades refining techniques and seeking enlightenment, Chen Ren¡¯s growth seemed effortless, as if the very heavens dared not obstruct his way. Or perhaps it was because no one else dared to walk the path he had chosen, leaving him unchallenged in a field that defied traditional cultivation.

    Yalan¡¯s whiskers twitched. The surprises never ceased. For all her airs of superiority and her role as his so-called master, she couldn¡¯t help but feel like the one being taught.

    Watching him shape his strange dao, his every step a quiet revelation, left her questioning centuries of knowledge she¡¯d once thought infallible. But of course, her pride as a celestial cat would never allow her to admit such thoughts¡ªnot even to herself.

    Instead, she lifted her head high, feigning indifference as the human continued forward, his stride strong and unbothered, even though he clearly knew she was watching his every step.

    She had tried to rationalise her astonishment, pinning it on the circumstances surrounding him. Perhaps it was his otherworldly origins, or the unorthodox nature of his dao. But then, he had mentioned the dragon¡ª¡ªin his star space. A spirit manifestation this early was something entirely unheard of.

    A part of her, ever wary, wondered if he might have lied. Humans, after all, were prone to embellishments, and she had encountered countless who puffed up their pride with falsehoods. But no¡ªChen Ren wouldn¡¯t do that to her. He had always been honest to her. If he said he had seen the dragon, then it was real.

    But Why Chen Ren?

    These questions raged in her mind, tightening with every thought. She had heard of cultivators manifesting spiritual projections, their daos taking form in the astral plane. Yet this was a feat reserved for those who had transcended boundaries of the lower realms, their foundations honed over decades or even centuries. For him to achieve it now, so soon after stepping into cultivation, defied all logic.

    Her tail twitched as she turned her gaze inward, her eyes gleaming faintly as she peered into the depths of his being.

    His soul sat steady and unassuming within his dantian, surrounded by spirit roots so pitifully weak that any sect worth its name would have dismissed him without a second glance. And yet¡­ her sharp eyes detected the faint hum of something more. It wasn¡¯t that his roots had improved¡ªno, they were as mundane as ever. But his dao... the path he carved out for himself seemed to bridge the gap, compensating for what nature had denied him.

    She flicked her tail in thought, her steps light and unhurried as she walked beside him. The wind danced through her fur, but her mind remained tethered to the mystery that was Chen Ren. Just what had the heavens seen in him to gift him such an absurdly early revelation?

    Before her thoughts could spiral further, Chen Ren¡¯s voice broke the silence. He spoke to her through his mind, knowing that if he spoke alone he might as well appear as a madman.

    Yalan¡¯s ear twitched, her feline features betraying a brief flash of irritation. She had known he would ask. Of course he would¡ªhe always asked questions.

    With a sigh, she cast him the sternest look she could muster, one perfected over centuries. It was the same look she had honed when raising a litter of spirit kittens, training them before releasing them into the world.

    Her amber eyes narrowed she began in a clipped tone, ¡°

    She glanced at him pointedly, her amber eyes glinting with disbelief.

    Chen Ren scratched his head, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. ¡°Then, as if realising the answer himself, he smacked his forehead with enough force to draw curious looks from passersby.He looked stupid doing that, but she had gotten used to his eccentricities by now.

    Yalan rolled her eyes but refrained from commenting. He turned back to her, his expression brightening. This man was like a curious cub, almost trying to get to the bottom of every question he had.

    Yalan said slowly, her tone unusually serious. She shook her head.

    Chen Ren¡¯s curiosity only deepened. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Yalan sighed, flicking her ears in irritation but answered anyway. ¡°Her tone softened as she began listing them.

    Chen Ren asked, looking down with widened eyes.

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    Yalan paused, her gaze drifting as though searching for answers in the distant horizon.

    Yalan froze mid-step, her ears flattening as silence wrapped around her. The weight of his words sank in like a stone, sending ripples through her mind. It was ridiculous. Impossible. And yet¡­ Her silence betrayed her uncertainty. What if he was right? What if this absurd notion was true?

    If the dragon¡¯s dao truly aligned with wealth, then Chen Ren was no ordinary cultivator. He wasn¡¯t just treading an unusual path¡ªhe was poised to bring a seismic shift to the world. The thought sent a chill down her spine, one she quickly masked with a flick of her tail.

    Snapping herself out of her stupor, she quickened her pace. she said briskly, her tone firm.

    She strode ahead, ears twitching with irritation and focus. Yet, as the wind carried Chen Ren¡¯s steady footsteps behind her, she risked a glance over her shoulder. His casual gait and unfazed demeanour only deepened her unease. What destiny awaited a man walking the dao of money?

    ***

    Chen Ren sat cross-legged in the quiet upper-floor room of the tea house. The scent of freshly brewed tea was in the air but his focus remained on the stack of books before him. Like Qing He had promised, she¡¯d allowed him access to more of her collection, and he¡¯d already devoured a handful of them over the past few days. But today, his purpose was singular; learning the truths about spirit manifestations and spirit beasts.

    He turned the worn pages of an old book titled ¡°Path of the Bonded Spirit by Grandmaster Xu Fen¡±, the faded ink still sharp enough to convey its authority.

    According to Xu Fen, spirit manifestation was one of the most difficult feats a cultivator could achieve, requiring not only a deep understanding of their dao but also the extraordinary luck to find a spirit beast that resonated with it. Binding the spirit beast wasn¡¯t just a connection; it was a soul pact, forged through the cultivator¡¯s star space. Once completed, the bond allowed the cultivator to draw on the spirit beast¡¯s power, uniting their fates forever.

    The book had detailed the process of binding, alongside accounts of cultivators who had succeeded.

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes lingered on a vivid description of a famous cultivator, Zhang Wu, who had bonded with a mischievous monkey spirit. Through the pact, Zhang gained the ability to create multiple clones of himself, overwhelming opponents with sheer numbers. Another tale recounted the journey of Sato Shi, who formed a pact with a lightning mouse. The bond allowed her to summon devastating thunder strikes in battle.

    Chen Ren¡¯s brow furrowed as he read on.

    He found detailed descriptions of spirit beasts commonly bonded with cultivators walking the martial daos.

    Martial dao cultivators had a natural advantage, forming bonds with creatures like stone apes or wind wolves that enhanced their combat techniques. Alchemists, on the other hand, often bonded with fire spirit beasts¡ªflame foxes, ember salamanders, or even minor firebirds¡ªgranting them the precise control of flames needed for their craft.

    The book, Path of the Bonded Spirit, was an invaluable resource. Yet, as he closed it with a soft thud, Chen Ren furrowed his brows. "There''s really nothing about dragons in here," he muttered, a tinge of disappointment colouring his voice.

    From across the room, Yalan, sprawled lazily on her stomach, cracked an eye open and flicked her tail. "Obviously, there won''t be," she said in a dry tone, as if mocking Chen Ren¡¯s research. "I bet you didn¡¯t even find anything on the other three heavenly beasts, did you? None of them have bonded with a cultivator in centuries. You won¡¯t find that kind of information in any dusty book."

    Chen Ren let out a frustrated sigh but leaned back, thoughtful. "At least I learned how bonding works. I can try with the dragon."

    Yalan lifted her head slightly, and let out a before continuing. "But didn¡¯t you tell me you¡¯re always thrown out of your star space when the dragon shows up?"

    He nodded. "Yeah, I can barely stay there for a few moments before it forces me out."

    "Then you¡¯re too weak to bond with it," she replied bluntly, stretching her paws out. "It¡¯s impossible for someone in the body forging realm to bond with something like a dragon. Your body will break under the strain of its strength."

    Chen Ren sighed again, deeper this time. Her words sounded like he wasn¡¯t enough to do whatever he needed to do at the moment, and that was¡ª. "That¡¯s¡­ unfortunate to know." He paused, staring out the window for a moment before his eyes lit up with determination. "But if it¡¯s just a matter of strength, doesn¡¯t that mean I¡¯ll be able to bond with it if I get stronger?"

    Yalan studied him for a long moment, her gaze unreadable. Finally, she shrugged, a sly grin forming on her lips.

    "Sure. Build more businesses, then."

    Chen Ren blinked, confused. "What does that have to do with¡ª"

    "Your dao," Yalan interrupted, her tail swishing playfully. "The dragon follows your path, right? Get stronger on your path, human. Maybe then you¡¯ll have a chance."

    Chen Ren gave a wry smile, leaning forward to stretch the muscles in his back and neck as he¡¯d been sitting in the same position for too long.

    ¡°I already feel stretched thin as it is. I need more people in my sect, but it¡¯s hard to recruit anyone without an official sect status."

    Yalan scoffed, flicking her tail in irritation.

    "Then just get an official one."

    He sighed, shaking his head. "That¡¯s easier said than done.¡± ¡°To establish a sect officially, I¡¯d need spirit stones, and you don¡¯t understand how much harder those are to get. They''re insanely expensive. Sure, I can earn a lot with my businesses and trade mortal currency for them, but the exchange rates? They¡¯ll bleed me dry. A single low-grade spirit stone costs a hundred silver coins, and that¡¯s if you¡¯re lucky enough to find someone honest. Higher grades? Don¡¯t even get me started."

    Yalan''s eyes narrowed as she stretched her front legs again, feigning a yawn. "Then why not go find them in the wild?"

    Chen Ren gave her a flat look. "You think I haven¡¯t thought about that? I don¡¯t have the location of any spirit vein mines. It¡¯s not like they just pop up out of nowhere. The famous ones are already under the control of major sects or handled directly by the empire. No one¡¯s leaving those unguarded for me to stumble upon."

    Yalan¡¯s ears twitched as she circled the same spot she had napped in before finally settling down. She glanced up from the floor and gave her tail a single swoosh, signalling her comfort. Chen Ren couldn¡¯t help but be amused by this cat¡ª

    "Then go hunt beasts. Trade their cores for spirit stones. Isn¡¯t that how cultivators usually make a living?"

    He rubbed the back of his neck, forgetting all about the demeanour of the cat just to focus on her words.

    "That¡¯s an option, sure, but it¡¯s dangerous. Spirit beasts aren¡¯t exactly friendly, and I¡¯m not strong enough to face high-grade ones yet." His gaze shifted to her, a wicked smile stretched across his face.. "Unless, of course, you¡¯d be willing to lend me your claws?"

    Yalan smirked, her tail curling lazily. "Ah, so now you want my help? What happened to your, ¡® ¡® attitude?"

    Chen Ren sighed dramatically. "That was before I realised just how expensive ambition is in this world."

    Yalan scoffed, flicking her tail dismissively. "I¡¯m not your employee, human. I¡¯ll help if you¡¯re in danger, but if you start relying on me for every little problem, you¡¯ll never grow. Do you think I want to follow around a weakling forever?"

    Chen Ren nodded earnestly. ¡°Well, you are right. I don¡¯t plan to use you. It was a joke. You¡¯re already my cheat in this world¡ªbesides my dao, of course."

    Her ears twitched as she eyed him suspiciously. "Cheat? What¡¯s that supposed to mean?"

    Chen Ren just chuckled, refusing to answer as he snickered under his breath and moved toward another stack of books.

    He skimmed through the shelves, his fingers brushing over the spines as he read their titles. ¡°¡± and he stopped, raising an eyebrow. "Who writes volumes on grooming?"

    Yalan snorted from her spot, unimpressed. "People with too much time on their hands, clearly."

    Shaking his head, he kept searching. His gaze wandered past a few more odd titles¡ª and until he froze. His eyes landed on a plain, leather-bound book tucked between more decorative tomes. The faded golden letters on the spine read:

    Something about it tugged at him, and he reached for it without a second thought.

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon.

 Chapter 37: Cultivation disciplines

    Jasmine¡ªQing He inhaled the smell deeply as the porcelain teacup swirled gently in her hand.

    Her eyes locked in at a cluster of young girls¡ªmortal, rich, giggling and infuriatingly loud¨Chuddled around a table. Their voices raised after one another as they all debated (with an annoying heat) over The one penned by the odd young cultivator, Chen Ren.

    Her fingers tapped on the table in a soothing rhythm as her lips curved in a satirical smile.

    It had been quite some time since the so-called love story was released. She half-expected the fascination to die long back but on the contrary, it had become an obsession. They¡¯d been treating the book akin to a classic folk tale.

    She sighed at that thought.

    These girls¡ªthey were reimagining, filling the gaps with their own absurd fantasies; alternating endings, impossible love triangles and even theories that bordered on the ridiculous. She had talked to Chen Ren about it and he had simply labelled it as ¡°fanfiction¡± and told her to let it grow.

    According to him, every popular work would have fan renditions, but Qing He had never even heard the term before.

    Her brows twitched as the two youths started raising their voices, trying to assert dominance over their narrative of the protagonist¡¯s love was truly required.

    She sighed, feeling that her patience was wearing thin.

    ¡°Maybe I should''ve just burned the manuscript,¡± she muttered to herself.

    Because the deal had struck true, the profits continued to flow inside her small tea stall like nothing, and it had been mostly due to the book ¡®

    With that, a chuckle escaped her lips. At least the business has been doing well.

    As she took another sip of her tea, her mind refocused on Chen Ren. With his sly grin and strange aura, he had been on her mind far more often than she cared to admit.

    Two hundred years ago, she might¡¯ve mistaken this curiosity for a girlish crush¡ªone that ran deep. But now? Now she knew it was something else entirely.

    He was an enigma and Qing He detested enigmas. He was a strange, mysterious cultivator and those kinds almost brought a new set of problems with them.

    This morning, he¡¯d entered her shop without so much as a greeting and made a beeline for the first floor, where the books were. And he moved with the authority of a man with a big, fat purpose.

    But that wasn''t the reason why he had been on her mind.

    It was due to the fact that his aura had changed, from a weak four-star body forging realm cultivator to a seven-star. She had seen him just three days back and he hadn''t looked anywhere near a breakthrough then.

    Her teacup paused mid-air, her fingers tightening around its rim. One thought swirled in her mind.

    ¡°Is he a demonic cultivator?¡± she said aloud, unable to help herself.

    And more importantly, even if he was, could she kill him with the spirit cat following behind him?

    She hadn¡¯t reached that conclusion for no reason.

    Qing He had seen many strange things in her centuries of life, enough to dismiss the eccentricities of most cultivators. Because they were, by nature, an odd breed. Endless pill-popping, retreating into caves for decades at a time, and emerging half-mad and wholly awkward.

    But this? This was something else entirely.

    No cultivator, no matter how talented or dedicated they were, leapt three stars in the body-forging realm within a single day. That was a fact as immutable as the heavens themselves. She had confirmed it with her own senses¨Che had been a fourth-star novice barely a week ago, and now¡ªhis aura was much more noticeable at the threshold of the eight star.

    At first, she thought it could be because of pills. After all, it wasn''t unreasonable. Chen Ren had recently earned a significant fortune by winning a Trial by Might.

    He could¡¯ve easily bought body-strengthening or bone-forging pills, the type used by wealthy but untalented disciples to brute-force their way through the early realms. But pills, no matter how strong they were, took time to absorb into the body. They worked with the marrow, the bones, the muscles and even the bloodline. No pills, no matter how rare or expensive they were, could slip the natural order.

    If he wasn''t a demonic cultivator whose rumours had been speeding through the city, then what was he? The thought of him being a heavenly genius crossed her mind. That would at least explain the spirit cat she¡¯d seen trailing him.

    And yet,something about that explanation felt¡­ wrong.

    Her instincts, experienced over decades of watching the rising and fall of countless cultivators, rejected that idea.

    His path felt stranger, more labyrinthine.

    The truth felt like something that she couldn¡¯t figure out just yet. And for the first time in decades, she felt curiosity bubbling inside her, and her mind felt like an itch that she couldn¡¯t quite scratch without proper answers.

    On the other hand, the mystery surrounding the man was intoxicating. She felt almost giddy, wanting to know what he was up to, who he was and he did it.

    A part of her even wanted to march towards him, block his path with a single thought and demand answers directly. Words or force, she didn¡¯t care.

    Her reverie was broken by the soft creak of footsteps, drawing her eyes toward the staircase.

    Chen Ren, the man who¡¯d clouded her very thoughts for the longest time today, emerged. He had a small stack of books balanced in his arms, and that spirit cat¡ªhis perpetual shadow, padded silently behind him.

    A faint smile crossed her face as she straightened, placing the teacup in front of her and she folded her hands on the counter.  S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    The young cultivator stopped before her, putting the books down with a casal thud. ¡°Senior Qing He, I found these books and was hoping you could help me understand them.¡±

    Qing He¡¯s eyes flicked to the titles, her brow arching with each one she read.

    Her gaze rose to meet his. ¡°Are you¡­ trying to learn all the cultivation disciplines at once?¡± she asked, a faint edge of incredulity lacing her voice.

    Chen Ren grinned, an expression so disarming it nearly masked the absurdity of his response. ¡°Actually, yes,¡± he said with a casual nod. ¡°I was looking for books on spirit beasts, but these caught my eye. They seemed... interesting.¡±

    Qing He pressed her fingers to her temple, exhaling slowly. ¡°Interesting,¡± she repeated, her tone dry. ¡°I don¡¯t think you realize what you¡¯re getting into. Most cultivators only dabble in secondary arts when they¡¯ve reached a bottleneck or lack talent in pure cultivation. Sects value a skilled alchemist or array master because those talents are rare, but mastery of a secondary art is an entirely different path from cultivation itself. Few have the time¡ªor the capability¡ªfor both.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded thoughtfully, his grin never faltering. ¡°That¡¯s precisely why I want to dabble in them,¡± he replied, his voice carrying a conviction that caught Qing He off guard. ¡°I believe they¡¯ll unlock the next set of opportunities for me.¡±

    ¡°Opportunities? What kind of opportunities?¡±

    His grin widened, a glimmer of mischief in his expression. ¡°I believe you already know,¡± he said smoothly. ¡°Business opportunities.¡±

    Qing He blinked, momentarily stunned by the simplicity of his answer. She leaned back, her lips pressing into a thin line. She couldn¡¯t understand this man or his intentions, and she was far from assuming what they were. ¡°Business opportunities,¡± she repeated, shaking her head. ¡°You¡¯re an odd one, Chen Ren. Most cultivators seek power, enlightenment, or even revenge. And here you are, treating cultivation as a stepping stone to¡ªwhat? Becoming a merchant?¡±

    ¡°Not just a merchant. A successful one.¡±

    For a moment, Qing He said nothing, simply studying him. There was no hesitation in his words, no sign of doubt. If nothing else, she had to admit: his confidence was as intriguing as it was maddening.

    She let her eyes linger on him, her expression an amalgam of disbelief and curiosity.

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    It wasn¡¯t the first time Chen Ren had said something so wildly unconventional. She still remembered the day he¡¯d nonchalantly talked about founding a sect as if it were the same as opening a tea shop. Now, here he was again, speaking of mastering cultivation disciplines¡ªnot for self-defence, enlightenment, or even survival, but for

    Her lips twitched with a mixture of amusement and incredulity. ¡°You¡¯re telling me, that you¡¯re learning these¡ªnot to make pills for breakthroughs, or to protect yourself with arrays, but¡­ for business?¡± She waited for his response.

    He nodded, enthusiastically.

    ¡°Are you dumb?¡± she asked, not holding back her thoughts.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t flinch, his grin unfaltering. ¡°Obviously not,¡± he replied. ¡°Business is my path. I¡¯ve been doing well in the mortal market, as you¡¯ve probably noticed, but it¡¯s only a stepping stone. Sooner or later, I¡¯ll need to target cultivators and to do that, I need to understand what they want to buy. These books¡±¡ªhe gestured to the stack on the counter¡ª¡°are the key to developing products they¡¯ll value. And, as you said, these skills can double as tools for self-defence. That¡¯s just a bonus.¡±

    Qing He let out a sharp laugh. ¡°Going by your unnaturally fast breakthroughs, I seriously doubt you need tools to defend yourself.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s expression shifted ever so slightly¡ªa flicker of something unreadable passing over his face. He met her gaze squarely. ¡°I can see that your old eyes are still working.¡±

    Qing He raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. ¡°They work better than yours and I haven¡¯t lived for centuries just to miss something so obvious,¡± she replied. ¡°And you don¡¯t strike me as foolish enough to think mortals would have books on cultivation disciplines. It¡¯s clear you understand what I am.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded slowly, his fingers drumming lightly against the counter as his eyes darted around the shop. After a moment, he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to a near whisper. ¡°So, can you help me with these? I¡¯ve skimmed through them, but most are written in overly formal language, full of jargon that¡¯s hard to grasp. If I¡¯m going to learn, I¡¯ll need guidance. And frankly, you¡¯re the only one I can come to.¡±

    For a moment, Qing He was taken aback. Surprise flickered in her eyes as she studied him, searching for any sign of deceit.

    The man stood tall, with his usual smile on his face. Not even the smallest falter of emotions in his eyes.

    Finally, finding none, she opened her mouth, ready to reject him outright.

    But then, her earlier questions about his rapid progression surfaced in her mind, tugging at her curiosity. She hesitated, the words dying on her lips. Instead, she leaned back.

    ¡°I could help you, but in exchange, I want something from you.¡±

    Chen Ren tilted his head. ¡°And what might that be?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re going to tell me how you¡¯ve been progressing so fast in your cultivation.¡±

    ***

    Chen Ren hesitated, his eyes shifting between the stack of books and Qing He¡¯s steady, expectant stare. Revealing his dao wasn¡¯t something he took lightly. By now, he understood just how rare it was.

    The idea of casually sharing it with others felt similar to handing over a priceless treasure¡ªdangerous and foolish. More importantly, if his suspicions were correct, his dao might be the thread that tethered him to a lost heavenly beast. That connection wasn¡¯t something he wanted prying eyes on.

    But again, Qing He¡­ wasn¡¯t just anyone. Though the woman carried herself with the aloof dignity of someone who didn¡¯t care much for others, Chen Ren had spent enough time around her to know better. She was sharp, sure, but also bound by her word¡ªa rare trait in a world where deceit was second nature to many. And while she sometimes acted like she¡¯d rather be anywhere but talking to him, she¡¯d still been honest, patient even, in their past conversations.

    He sighed, leaning forward slightly. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll tell you, but only if you promise¡ªno, swear¡ªthat you¡¯ll never speak of it to anyone.¡±

    Qing He frowned, her forehead wrinkling as she looked at him with the same thoughtful expression she always wore. ¡°You have my word. Now, speak.¡±

    Chen Ren took a deep breath, steeling himself before he began to explain. He spoke carefully, omitting any mention of the dragon or the deeper mysteries he hadn¡¯t fully unravelled himself. Instead, he focused on the essence of his path: the Dao of Money. He described the way it resonated with him, how it shaped his understanding of the world, and how it opened doors in ways few could comprehend.

    As he spoke, Qing He¡¯s expression shifted. At first, her brows furrowed in thought, her lips pressed into a thin line. Then, as the realization sank in, her jaw slackened, and the teacup, she grabbed up to take a sip, remained in mid-air. When he finished, she closed her eyes and let out a long, slow breath.

    ¡°So,¡± she finally said. ¡°you¡¯re not a demonic cultivator. You simply follow an esoteric dao¡­ of money.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded, a small, sheepish smile tugging at his lips. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    She opened her eyes and set the teacup down. ¡°And here I was, wondering if you were the soul-devouring fiend skulking through the city.¡±

    Chen Ren blinked, caught off guard. ¡°Wait. Why would you even think that?¡±

    Qing He leaned back in her chair, her fingers idly tapping the armrest. ¡°Because there¡¯s been talk. Whispers of a demonic cultivator roaming the city, killing people and consuming their souls. It¡¯s spreading fast¡ªtoo fast. Even the city guards have ramped up their patrols to hunt the culprit down.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s brow furrowed as he processed her words. He went silent, his mind drifting to the streets he¡¯d passed through earlier. Now that she mentioned it, the atmosphere been strange. People moved with a cautious edge, their gazes darting to every shadow, their steps quick and lacked the usual calmness. He¡¯d dismissed it as paranoia, but if a killer was truly on the loose, their wariness made sense.

    ¡°I did notice people acting¡­ off,¡± he admitted. ¡°But I didn¡¯t think much of it at the time.¡±

    Qing He studied him for a moment, her lips curving into a faint smirk. ¡°Well, at least I can cross you off the suspect list,¡± she said dryly.

    He paused. Unable to know what exactly to respond with, he replied, ¡°...Thank you? And, I¡¯m not that. I¡¯d never do something like that.¡±

    Qing He studied him for a moment before giving a slow nod. ¡°You don¡¯t carry any demonic qi¡ªthat much is certain.¡± Her gaze shifted slightly, landing on Yalan, who lay nonchalantly by the counter, her tail flicking lazily. ¡°But what about your spirit beast?¡±

    Before Chen Ren could respond, Yalan hissed with sass and spoke directly into their minds.

    Qing He¡¯s other eyebrow shot up, the faintest trace of amusement flickering in her eyes as she looked back at Chen Ren. ¡°Care to explain that one, kid?¡±

    Chen Ren scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. ¡°She¡¯s... complicated. Yalan isn¡¯t just any spirit beast. She¡¯s been the protector of my clan for generations. In this lifetime, she¡¯s bonded to me. But,¡± he paused, glancing at Yalan, ¡°I¡¯d say she acts more like a master than anything else.¡±

    Qing He¡¯s lips quirked into a faint smirk, her sharp gaze flicking between him and Yalan. ¡°Interesting. Makes me wonder about your clan, but I won¡¯t pry further.¡± She let the silence settle briefly before shifting her attention to the books on the counter. ¡°Now that my questions are answered, let¡¯s get to business.¡± She tapped the top book with her finger. ¡°I¡¯ll help you with the basics of these disciplines, but don¡¯t get your hopes too high. I¡¯m no master of any of them¡ªjust someone with a baseline understanding. You¡¯ll have to make do with that.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded quickly, his excitement plain. ¡°That¡¯s more than enough for me, Senior Qing He. Where do we start?¡±

    She slid the book on talismans toward him. ¡°Tomorrow afternoon. Meet me at my shop, and we¡¯ll begin with talismans. It¡¯s as good a place to start as any.¡±

    ¡°Tomorrow? Why not now?¡± Chen Ren asked, ready to pout her way in if it would work with the old woman.

    Qing He pointed out the window, her tone wry. ¡°Because it¡¯s already night, and unlike your young bones, mine need proper rest. I have to close up and do some reading of my own.¡±

    From her place by the counter, Yalan let out a soft, amused snicker but said nothing.

    Chen Ren nodded, his excitement dimmed only slightly. ¡°Fair enough.¡± He glanced out at the darkening streets and sighed. ¡°Either way, I need to go. One of my creditors has something of mine¡ªa medallion¡ªI need to collect, tonight.¡±

    Qing He¡¯s expression turned serious at that, her gaze narrowing. ¡°You¡¯re heading out this late? Be careful. The demonic cultivator hunts at night, and you don¡¯t want to cross paths with him or her. Most of the attacks have been closer to midnight, so you might be fine, but caution is always wise.¡±

    Chen Ren dipped into a slight bow, his tone respectful. ¡°Thank you for the warning, Senior Qing He. I¡¯ll be careful.¡±

    With that, he turned and stepped out of the tea shop, the faint jingling of the bell above the door accompanying him into the night.

    Yalan padded silently beside Chen Ren, her sleek form appearing noticeable even in the shadows as they moved through the quieting streets. The path to Feng Ming¡¯s estate was familiar to him¡ªnot from this life, but from the fragmented memories he had inherited. The layout of the city¡¯s upper side was etched firmly in his mind, making it easy to navigate the straight route from the tea shop.

    The upper side of the city exuded quiet wealth, with paved roads and well-maintained lanterns emitting a steady glow, but even here, the usual hum of life seemed muted.

    As they walked, Yalan¡¯s voice brushed against his thoughts, sharp and inquisitive.

    Chen Ren raised an eyebrow, glancing at her.

    she replied with a dry edge to her tone.

    Her words carried an unmistakable warning tone, and Chen Ren frowned slightly, his steps slowing for a brief moment. He knew she was right. He had no illusions about his strength¡ªhe had grown, yes, but not enough to take on a demonic cultivator.

    He rubbed his temples as he walked.

    Yalan said.

    From what he knew, the demonic cultivators were stronger on the same level because demonic qi inherently were far more destructive. It was because they used a lot of forbidden techniques, making it always tricky to fight them.

    They never played fair.

    But well, she was right. He should be careful.

    The streets grew quieter the further they walked. Shops were shuttered, their owners hurrying home, and even the few pedestrians Chen Ren had seen earlier seemed to vanish. The mist, which usually began creeping through the city as the night deepened, hadn¡¯t even started to rise, yet the unease in the air was palpable.

    More guards patrolled the streets than usual, their lanterns swaying as they moved in pairs, scanning the shadows with sharp eyes. Chen Ren noticed the tension in their postures and the way they gripped their weapons until their knuckles were white.

    The unease was infectious.

    A part of him considered turning back, leaving this errand for daylight. It would¡¯ve been the safer choice¡ªless risk, less tension crawling up his spine with every step. But he¡¯d already sent a Tang Clan messenger earlier that morning to arrange a time for retrieving the medallion. The response had been clear: this hour, tonight.

    And he didn¡¯t want to delay that. He had no idea if Feng Ming wouldn''t stall him if he delayed the meeting and he wanted to end the matter of his debt tonight.

    So, despite the unease coiling in his chest, he pressed on, shoulders squared and steps steady. , he thought wryly,

    The attempt at humor didn¡¯t quite dispel the tension, but it was enough to keep him moving forward.

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon.

 Chapter 38: Ancient medallion

    Chen Ren moved towards the upper street, and the lower district fell behind him. The upper district felt quite the difference from what he just moved past, cleaner, quieter and had beautiful stonework that reflected the heavy lanterns that hung like floating jewels.

    Regardless of everything else, the number of lessening people felt quite off. Normally, these districts weren¡¯t supposed to be this hollow, even at midnight some people were strolling, coming back from bars and red light establishments.

    But now, they ran back to their homes, constantly looking over their backs as if a monster would emerge out of the shadows.

    He shook his head and started moving towards the destination he had in his mind. Behind him, Yalan trailed as if nothing in this world could bother her. She was a sight to behold. Her tail swooshed to the rhythm her back moved, and she was majestical¡ªin every way.

    Chen Ren¡¯s worries faded away after seeing the fearless cat beside him. Even if something happened, he knew he had her protection and doubted that any demonic cultivator would be able to stand against her and if she could actually be defeated by one, then he never stood a chance to begin with.

    Soon, the world narrowed until it was just him and the grand estate that was right before him.

    The Feng Clan estate stood like a fortress, with imposing, tall walls. The gates were painted in a deep crimson and accented with golden carvings. It had the richness that came from the fortune from the trade of weapons and artefacts.

    Yet for all that wealth, the clan had never reached the heights of true cultivation prestige. They had been merchants, not warriors, their legacy had been tarnished by generations of mediocrity.

    And the current generation fared no better. Spirit roots were a rarity among them. Even their brightest star, Feng Ming, possessed only thirty spirit roots¡ªa paltry number.

    Chen Ren let out a huffed breath from his nose. It was ironic how their paths had crossed.

    Months ago, he and Feng Ming had met under different circumstances. Feng Ming, frustrated and bitter over his inability to enter the Soaring Sword Sect, had poured his grievances into Chen Ren¡¯s ears. Back then, the previous body owner had been naive and had an inflated ego, therefore, he had boldly promised to help Feng Ming gain entry after he won the sect¡¯s entrance examinations.

    The memory left a bitter taste in his mouth.

    Feng Ming, his entire body soaked with greed and desperation, had assumed that Chen Ren''s confidence was backed by strength. Eager to bind him in debt, he had handed over a small fortune to secure the man¡¯s loyalty. But when the competition began, the truth was laid bare. The old Chen Ren''s lack of skill was as glaring as the midday sun, and his humiliating defeat was a spectacle the entire city still talked about.

    Feng Ming¡¯s mask had slipped after that. The once-amiable youth had transformed, his scorn sharper than the blades his clan forged and had barged right inside his room to collect the debt.

    Chen Ren exhaled slowly and rubbed soothing circles in his palms. That was the past. The old Chen Ren was gone, buried along with his failures. The man who now stood before the Feng Clan gates was entirely different.

    Today, he would settle this debt, once and for all. The pouch of silver at his waist wasn¡¯t heavy, but its significance outweighed its weight. It was more than repayment; he could finally sever the ties. Feng Ming¡¯s money had been a chain, but today, Chen Ren intended to break it.

    Adjusting his robes, he stepped forward.

    The faint clink of coins accompanied his movements, a sound that felt strangely like freedom.

    Without any other thought, he stepped into the Feng Clan compound, his steps steady as his eyes swept over the scene. The guards stationed at the entrance stiffened as they saw him approach, their hands instinctively moving to their weapons. They crossed their halberds in front of him, blocking his way.

    "Who are you?" one demanded sharply. His thick eyebrows were like two caterpillars looking down at him in an attempt to look scary.

    "I¡¯m Chen Ren, from the Chen Clan of Red Peak City. Feng Ming should be expecting me."

    The guards exchanged a glance. The stout and black-haired one rubbed his neck for a brief moment and a silent conversation passed between them. After a moment, the taller one replied, "Wait here," before disappearing into the depths of the compound.

    Chen Ren took a step back, leaning casually against the wall beside the gate. He inhaled deeply, and calmed his soul, focusing on the faint rustle of leaves.

    Minutes passed. He remained motionless.

    Yalan¡¯s voice stirred in his mind, completely covered in pure irritation.

    Chen Ren smirked faintly.

    This was exactly why he¡¯d gotten comfortable when the men walked inside. Just like Bai Shen, Feng Ming was another stereotypical young master who liked to make others feel like they were less important in front of him.

    Yalan hummed in agreement.

    Chen Ren shook his head at that.

    Fortunately for the gate, the guard returned just then, looking slightly flustered. It could be the midnight coldness crawling to his face¡ªbut Chen Ren doubted that was the case.

    He gestured stiffly.

    "You may enter. Follow the servant; she¡¯ll take you to the young master."

    Chen Ren pushed off the wall with an easy grace, brushing past the guard without a word. A young servant girl awaited him just beyond, bowing politely before motioning for him to follow. Her steps were quick, and Chen Ren kept pace, his eyes taking in the grandiose surroundings of the estate. Manicured gardens, passionately carved stone paths, and the sweet scent of incense filled the air, all designed to flaunt the Feng Clan''s wealth.

    After weaving through several courtyards, they stopped before a large sliding door. The servant turned to him. "Young Master Feng is inside."

    Chen Ren nodded, his hand reaching for the door. With a firm push, the panel slid open, revealing the room beyond. He stepped in, the door closing behind him with a quiet thud.

    The room Chen Ren stepped into was spacious, almost cavernous. The polished wooden floor reflected the harsh glow of lanterns hanging from the ceiling, and the air carried a faint trace of sandalwood incense. It seemed like the entire compound was made to his taste.

    The walls were filled with racks of weapons¡ª swords, axes, and halberds displayed like trophies. Among them, Chen Ren¡¯s eyes caught the designs of talismans encased in protective glass. He narrowed his gaze at one in particular, its surface marked with runes. Though he couldn¡¯t identify its exact purpose, the runic patterns suggested it was a fire-aspected talisman, likely capable of causing explosions in battles.

    He had taken a look at a similar design while looking through the book just hours back.

    After a quick survey of the room, Chen Ren¡¯s attention shifted to the man seated at its center. Feng Ming sat cross-legged on the floor, a porcelain cup of tea cradled in his hands. He looked much the same as always¡ªneatly groomed, with an air of smug confidence that radiated from the smirk tugging at his lips. It was an expression Chen Ren found uniquely irritating.

    Even as his eyes focused on Feng Ming, he said nothing, his focus seemingly on his tea, as though Chen Ren¡¯s presence was an afterthought. The silence stretched, a subtle challenge hanging in the air. But Chen Ren understood these power games well. He didn¡¯t speak, didn¡¯t move¡ªhe merely stood there, his expression calm and unreadable.

    Time ticked by, and the faint of Feng Ming setting his cup down broke the silence at last. ¡°Chen Ren, you¡¯re here,¡± he said lazily, as though the ten minutes of waiting hadn¡¯t happened.

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips twitched, his voice laced with dry humor. ¡°Yeah, for the last ten minutes. Your eyesight must¡¯ve gotten pretty weak if you couldn¡¯t see me standing so close.¡±

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    Feng Ming coughed lightly, his smirk faltering for a moment before returning. ¡°Your tongue is as sharp as ever. Either way, I don¡¯t have time to waste on you. Why are you here?¡±

    Chen Ren folded his arms, his voice calm but firm. ¡°My messenger should have told you already. I¡¯m here to take back my medallion. It¡¯s a family heirloom, and leaving it in the hands of a creditor is a disrespect to my ancestors.¡±

    Feng Ming¡¯s smirk widened, amusement flickering in his eyes. ¡°Ah, your medallion. You forget, Chen Ren, that I took it because you couldn¡¯t pay your debt. If you want it back, I¡¯ll need¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, Chen Ren flicked a pouch toward him. It landed on the table with a heavy thud, the clink of coins unmistakable. ¡°There¡¯s 500 silver wen in there, with interest. Standard rate. Now, hand over the medallion.¡±

    Feng Ming froze, his gaze flickering to the pouch. After a moment, he opened it, the shine of polished silver reflecting in his eyes. His expression shifted, the smirk fading into something more complicated. He looked back at Chen Ren, a trace of surprise creeping into his voice. ¡°I heard you¡¯ve abandoned cultivation altogether and started dabbling in business. But I didn¡¯t expect you to succeed so quickly¡­ Or is this money from that idiot Bai Shen? Just so you know, I could defeat him with my eyes closed. He¡¯s hardly a worthy opponent.¡±

    Chen Ren grunted, his tone flat and impatient. ¡°You don¡¯t need to concern yourself with where the money came from. Just give me my medallion so I can leave.¡±

    Feng Ming shook his head, an irritating smirk creeping back onto his face. ¡°Relax, I was just making a conversation.¡± He reached into the drawer of the low table beside him, pulling something out and tossing it toward Chen Ren. The gleaming object spun in the air before Chen Ren instinctively caught it. His fingers wrapped around the cool hilt of a sword.

    His brows furrowed as he held it up, glaring at Feng Ming. ¡°What is this? I gave you my medallion, not a sword.¡±

    Feng Ming leaned back lazily, waving a hand toward the weapon. ¡°That sword is forged from Black Vein Iron, and the handle is made from the bone of a tier-two beast. It¡¯s worth far more than 500 silver wen. Take it as compensation instead of your medallion.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s expression darkened, his grip tightening around the sword. He could feel everything inside him coiling with rage as he looked at him. ¡°Are you joking with me? This wasn¡¯t our deal.¡±

    Feng Ming shrugged nonchalantly. ¡°Apologies, but I already sold your medallion. Got a great deal for it, too. Consider yourself lucky¡ªI¡¯m compensating you better than you deserve. You should be happy to get a sword like that after defaulting on your¡ª¡±

    Before Feng Ming could finish, Chen Ren¡¯s patience snapped. A surge of qi burst forth from him, crackling lightning snaking across the room in a brilliant flash.

    In a blur, Chen Ren sprinted forward, faster than Feng Ming could react. His hand shot out, grabbing the collar of Feng Ming¡¯s robes and slamming him against the wall with a resounding loud noise.

    The smirk vanished from Feng Ming¡¯s face, replaced by wide-eyed panic. ¡°W-What are you doing?!¡± he stammered, struggling against Chen Ren¡¯s grip, but the iron-like fingers didn¡¯t budge.

    Chen Ren¡¯s voice was low, laced with the hum of barely contained fury. ¡°Give me my medallion, or I¡¯ll burn you to ash with my lightning.¡±

    Feng Ming thrashed, trying to escape, but the realization hit him like a stone: he was utterly powerless. His voice trembled as he choked out, ¡°H-How? How are you this strong? You¡ªyou were only at the third-star body forging realm before!¡±

    He could hardly speak with the grip Chen Ren had on him. Feng Ming seemed to quiver as his eyes glowed faintly with the charge of his qi.

    ¡°I¡¯m at the seventh star now. And unlucky for you, you¡¯re still at the third. If I wanted, I could kill you here and now.¡±

    Feng Ming¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°T-There are laws in the city! You can¡¯t just¡ª¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips curled into a dangerous smirk. ¡°You broke the law first when you refused to return what was mine. I¡¯ve already proven my strength once in a Trial by Might. I could easily win another. This time, I might even keep the right to kill. Do you want to gamble on that?¡±

    The room fell into tense silence, the only sound the faint crackle of lingering lightning dancing across Chen Ren¡¯s fingertips. And the heavy breathing of Feng Ming coming out in gasps.

    His voice trembled as he spoke, ¡°No! No! I¡¯ll get you your medallion. Just release me!¡±

    Chen Ren let go, watching as Feng Ming stumbled forward, his hands trembling. The once-smug young master moved with a nervous, jerky gait, heading toward the far corner of the room. Chen Ren¡¯s eyes narrowed as he followed every step, ready to act if Feng Ming attempted anything. He cast a quick glance toward the door, ensuring no guards stormed in to intervene.

    Feng Ming reached a large desk and bent down, opening a hidden compartment beneath it. From inside, he pulled out a small, ornate chest. He placed it on the table, hesitating for a moment before opening it to reveal the medallion resting within. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze immediately locked onto the heirloom. Its familiar dull sheen brought a slight sense of relief, but his voice was sharp. ¡°So, this is what you call ?¡± He stepped closer, picking it up and inspecting it thoroughly. The medallion looked the same as he remembered¡ªold, unassuming, and yet undeniably sturdy. No scratches or marks had tarnished it. He turned to Feng Ming with a piercing glare. ¡°Why did you lie?¡±

    Feng Ming flinched, averting his eyes. ¡°I¡­ I wasn¡¯t able to figure out what material it¡¯s made of,¡± he confessed. ¡°And since you said it¡¯s a family heirloom, I knew it must be valuable. My clan deals in weapons and artefacts, so I¡¯ve seen almost everything, but this medallion¡­ my best appraisers couldn¡¯t determine its origin. That¡¯s why I got greedy.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s brow furrowed. His medallion, a keepsake he had never thought much about, suddenly seemed to carry more value. His mind wandered briefly to Yalan and the strange circumstances surrounding his ancestors. If they had been powerful enough to bind someone like Yalan in a debt of servitude, then perhaps the medallion wasn¡¯t as ordinary as it appeared. Still, it had never displayed any signs of being a spirit artefact.

    Looking back at Feng Ming, he asked, ¡°What did your appraisers find out?¡±

    Feng Ming swallowed hard, his hands twitching nervously. ¡°Not much. Just that it¡¯s old¡ªvery old. There¡¯s some strange writing etched on the back, but it doesn¡¯t match any known script in the empire or any region my appraisers are familiar with. Beyond that, nothing. Trust me.¡±

    Chen Ren studied him for a moment before nodding. ¡°Fine. But next time, don¡¯t lie to me. I¡¯m not the same person you used to know.¡±

    Feng Ming opened his mouth as if to respond, but Chen Ren had already turned, striding toward the door. Behind him, Feng Ming hesitated, a shift of something¡ªperhaps fear, perhaps regret¡ªcrossing his face. But Chen Ren didn¡¯t look back, exiting the room with his medallion in hand, the heavy door sliding shut behind him with finality.

    The door creaked softly as he slipped out of the mansion, his robes brushing against the cool stone steps. The night was still, the faint noise of wind and leaves the only sound accompanying his hurried steps. Tilting his head to the heavens, his eyes locked onto the silver crescent moon, its position confirming what he already feared. The mist would be forming by now, creeping along the walls.

    The streets were emptier than he''d expected. Not a single lantern flickered in the windows, and the silence pressed against his ears like a weight. Even the usual nocturnal scurry of small creatures seemed absent. His brows furrowed as he quickened his pace, the medallion clutched tightly in his palm.

    ¡°Yalan,¡± he murmured, his voice low and steady, ¡°do you know what this is?¡±

    Her presence stirred faintly within him, her voice soft but laced with curiosity.

    He traced the etchings on the back of the medallion with his thumb, their unfamiliarity gnawing at him. ¡°Can you read the script?¡±

    Yalan admitted with a rare note of frustration.

    A heavy sigh escaped him, his breath clouding briefly in the cold night air. ¡°One more mystery to solve,¡± he muttered, slipping the medallion into his pouch as his steps quickened.

    Rounding a bend, his attention caught on a figure moving parallel to him down the adjoining street. The man¡¯s face was obscured beneath a wide bamboo hat, and a dark cloak hung loosely around him, swaying with his strong strides. A sword hilt jutted over his shoulder, its grip wrapped in worn leather.

    He slowed, his gaze narrowing as he watched the man¡¯s movements. Something about him¡ªit wasn¡¯t just the sword or the hat¡ªfelt... off.

    His instincts prickled, a faint warning curling in his chest like smoke. He shook the feeling off and pushed forward, turning into a narrow alley.

    ¡°Yalan,¡± he whispered again, his tone sharp this time, ¡°did you see his soul?¡±

    she replied quickly, while her fur straightened as she craned her neck outside the alley to look at the back of the man.

    He slowed, the unease twisting into a knot in his stomach. ¡°Why would someone need to hide like that? And at this hour?¡± His voice dropped to a murmur. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me¡­¡±

    Chen Ren''s muttering trailed off as a faint, painful groan reached his ears. He froze, the sound cutting through the stillness like a blade. Heart pounding, he stepped around the corner, his boots splashing into something wet. The coppery tang of blood hit his nose instantly, and his gaze dropped to the crimson pool spreading beneath him.

    Two guards lay sprawled on the cobblestone street. One was lifeless, his head severed cleanly from his shoulders, the grotesque wound still oozing. The other gasped weakly, his chest heaving in shallow, ragged bursts. Blood poured from the stump where his hand had been, pooling beneath his mutilated body.

    Chen Ren''s eyes widened, his breath catching as he crouched by the dying man. ¡°Hey!¡± he said urgently, his voice shaking. ¡°What happened here? Who did this?¡±

    The guard''s lips quivered, his bloodied mouth trying to form words, but no sound came. His body convulsed once, twice, then stilled, his lifeless gaze fixed on the void.

    ¡°Yalan,¡± Chen Ren called out, his voice barely above a whisper.

    he said grimly, her voice heavy with warning.

    ¡°A sword?¡± Chen Ren echoed, his stomach twisting. His mind snapped back to the man he had seen earlier¡ªthe bamboo hat, the cloak, the sword on his back. The pieces clicked into place like a lock turning, and a cold dread seeped into his veins. ¡°It¡¯s him,¡± he whispered, his voice hollow. ¡°The demonic cultivator.¡±

    Before he could process the revelation, a deafening explosion shattered the silence.

    The ground trembled beneath him, and a blinding flash of light tore through the darkness, forcing him to shield his eyes. The shockwave hit like a hammer, leaving his ears ringing and the world around him spinning.

    Instinctively, he dropped low, his heart pounding in his chest as the echoes of the blast faded into a harrowing silence.

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon.

    Happy new year! Forgot to wish last chapter.

 Chapter 39: Escape in the mists

    Chen Ren crouched amidst the bloodied earth, his breath shallow, his fingers brushing the remnants of the crimson-soaked soil.

    Above him, the sky churned, a mushroom-shaped cloud of thick smoke spiralling outward, its tendrils curling into the sky like dark fingers reaching for an unseen foe. The scent of sulfur and burning metal was sharp in the air.

    He closed his mouth with his hand as the smoke filled his lungs, a cough willing to escape. But he didn¡¯t want to¡ª

    The ground trembled beneath him, quaking with the force of distant explosions. One after another. Each of the blasts seemed to tear the world asunder, its echoes drowning out the shouts, screams, and frantic voices that mingled with the chaos. A part of his body froze, caught in the noise of everything.

    He knew. His senses weren¡¯t dull enough to ignore the unmistakable signs. He had just passed by the demonic cultivator and the smoke was rising from the Feng Clan''s estate.

    He stared at the smoke, his heart sinking as he considered the fate of Feng Ming. With that much sound and impact, he doubted anyone within the estate area could have survived. Not even a cultivator would stand against such destruction. At least not a body forging realm one.

    Should he go and help? The thought ran in circles around his mind, but he knew he wouldn''t be able to do anything. His power was growing, sure, but it was still a far cry from what was needed to face a demonic cultivator of such monstrous strength.

    Chen Ren looked at the cat who¡¯d huddled beside him. He knew for a fact that even if Yalan took charge, the rift between her and the demonic cultivator would tear the very air they breathed. If he stayed, he risked being crushed between their forces.

    Yalan¡¯s fur fluffed out in agitation and her amber eyes moved between Chen Ren and the chaos.

    ¡°Yalan,¡± Chen Ren whispered. His voice almost didn''t come out due to the fear that crept at his insides. At his voice, Yalan¡¯s eyes stuck on his. ¡°We should run.¡±

    Without another thought, the cat nodded and they started to run, leaving the bodies behind.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know the demonic cultivator¡¯s strength either¡­ but it¡¯s better to steer clear. There¡¯s no point in risking it with you here,¡± Yalan said, jumping over a wall and running on top of it.

    Just as Chen Ren opened his mouth to agree, a scream sliced through the commotion. A loud, animalistic shriek that rattled the very earth and sent a ripple of dread down his spine. He halted as his eyes snapped toward the source.

    Chen Ren squinted his eyes.

    The thick smoke parted, revealing monstrous shapes emerging from the gloom.

    Ethereal beastly bodies revealed themselves, their massive forms glistening in the haze like phantoms of flame. Their red-glowing outlines pulsed with an annoying light, their large bodies almost transparent, as though they were born from the very smoke itself.

    They resembled rhinos and his eyes widened as he took the sight in.

    There were seven in total, their monstrous roars reverberating through the air like the cries of spirits trapped in a nightmare.

    The ground trembled beneath their weightless forms as they surged forward, their ethereal hooves striking sparks from the stone. Three of them, larger than the others, veered toward Chen Ren¡¯s position, their ghostly bodies gliding over the earth.

    Chen Ren¡¯s heart plummeted.

    He didn¡¯t need to see more to know what was coming. His legs tensed, ready to spring into motion, but his mind struggled to form a plan.

    ¡°Chen Ren, run!¡± Yalan''s voice broke through his shock.

    Without waiting another second, Chen Ren shot forward, his feet pounding the stone streets, propelling him faster than he¡¯d ever moved before. The city around him was chaotic, voices rising in panic, but they were all swallowed by the continuous thunderous roars of the etheral rhinos that chased him. Their haunting cries shattered the air, leaving only the sound of his laboured breaths as he pushed himself onward.

    His thoughts churned as adrenaline peaked.

    He immediately shifted directions in a blur to throw them off, his body flickering in and out of sight, moving with unnatural speed as his [Lightning Step] technique took hold. His legs screamed in protest as he used it at its full ability, every step a jolt of pain, but the technique was a lifeline, allowing him to leave streaks of afterimages.  S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    The strain was unbearable, but his heart raced with desperation. Despite all his efforts, the rhinos continued to chase after him, like shadows that would never be outrun.

    Yalan¡¯s voice echoed in his mind, cutting through his panic. He didn¡¯t hesitate, turning instinctively to the side just as a massive, ethereal ivory-horned rhino surged toward him, its glow an obnoxious black that leached into the very air around it.

    The aura it radiated was suffocating, and by its sheer presence, Chen Ren could tell it was a qi refinement realm beast. An early stage Tier 2 monster.

    Chen Ren''s mind raced. Fighting wasn¡¯t an option. Not against something like this. Yet... he couldn¡¯t just run. His qi surged as he prepared to unleash [Thundering Punch], but before he could, an intense heat touched his chest and started spreading throughout his body. He immediately turned to his right.

    Purple light erupted from Yalan¡¯s claws, streaking through the air with the ferocity of a storm. Flames danced along her tail like the first time he''d seen her, fiery tendrils licking the air. With a fluid motion, she hurled the flames at the charging rhino, catching it mid-surge. The flames scorched its ethereal hide, throwing it off course, before her claws dug deep into its flesh, tearing through its form with ease.

    The creature let out a strangled whimper, its body writhing, but not a drop of blood spilt from the wound. Chen Ren¡¯s heart skipped as he saw it falter. She had injured it.

    But just as quickly as the relief came, it vanished. A second rhino, larger and more ferocious than the first, charged at him from behind, its black-tipped horns gleaming with murderous intent. Chen Ren¡¯s instincts kicked in. He twisted, leaping backwards just as the rhino¡¯s horn grazed the air where he had been a heartbeat ago.

    Before the beast could charge again, Yalan¡¯s fiery aura enveloped it. Her short frame suddenly looked bigger and her amber eyes looked cold¡ªtoo cold. She threw herself into battle with the second rhino, her claws glowing purple and slicing through the air with impossible precision.

    The words hit him like a slap. He opened his mouth to protest, but her voice cut through, unwavering.

    For a moment, Chen Ren stared at her, his heart heavy. He wanted to argue, to stay and fight alongside her, but deep down, he knew the truth. Yalan was far stronger than these ethereal beasts. She wasn¡¯t as fragile as a normal feline. If anything was fragile here, it was him.

    Though her words cut him sharp, she was right. He wasn¡¯t strong enough¡ªnot yet. Right now, he was a burden to everyone around him.

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    He could only pray that Yalan¡¯s strength was enough to keep them both alive. If he ever wanted to stand on his own, to protect those he cared about, he had no choice but to run.

    And so, he ran.

    The pounding of his feet against the stone streets was the only sound in his ears, but even that was swallowed by the noise of destruction behind him. The sound of battle echoed across the city¡ªshouts, screams, and the vicious roars of beasts. He couldn¡¯t help but know, deep down, that Yalan was holding her ground, her flames lashing out as she fought back the rhinos.

    He aimed for the Tang Clan compound, hoping that it would offer some kind of sanctuary, but just as he neared the edge of the street, the ground beneath him trembled violently.

    He turned instinctively, just in time to feel the wind of a projectile whizz by his cheek, missing him by a hair¡¯s breadth.

    A chill ran down his spine as he looked back. Standing in the street was another large rhino, its eyes fixed on him like a predator eyeing its prey. Its ivory horn glowed with an eye-blinding black light, sending shivers through his bones. Chen Ren felt his heart race, and before he could react, the rhino fired another volley of projectiles.

    He barely managed to twist his body, using [Lightning Step] to dodge.

    Golden lightning surged through his legs, sending him darting to the side as the deadly projectiles sliced through the air where he¡¯d been a moment before.

    The rhino didn¡¯t relent. With a deafening roar, it charged forward, its massive form blurring toward him like an unstoppable force. Chen Ren¡¯s mind screamed at him to move, but he knew that he couldn¡¯t outrun this one. Not head-on. He needed another way.

    His eyes moved through the street before an idea struck him. His gaze hardened.

    He pushed his qi to the surface, flooding his body with power and planted his feet. With a deep breath, his fists tightened, and with a raw, thundering force, he slammed them into the ground. The shockwave rippled through the earth, and cracks splintered outward, tearing through the stone beneath his feet.

    The rhino¡¯s charge faltered as one of its hooves caught on the crack, causing it to stumble and slide awkwardly. For a brief moment, it was off balance¡ªlong enough for Chen Ren to seize the opportunity.

    Without hesitation, he turned and bolted, changing direction entirely, his mind racing.

    Another roar split the air.

    Looking over his shoulders, he saw the rhino regain his footing and start to give chase. Chen Ren''s heart fell, mind racing for a way to lose it.

    He couldn¡¯t keep running in circles, couldn¡¯t stay out in the open for long.

    His eyes shot up to the horizon suddenly, where a dense mist began rolling in, creeping over the city like a living thing. A spark of inspiration flared in his mind. The mist. If he could make it there, if he could blend into the fog, maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªhe could lose the rhino.

    He pushed himself harder, his feet moving faster, silent as the wind, as he sped toward the encroaching mist. Lightning danced around his legs.

    The rhino followed, undeterred, its roar reverberating through the streets. It got closer and closer every second.

    Chen Ren could feel its presence like a shadow looming behind him, waiting for the moment when he would slip up.

    He took a deep breath as he neared the edge of the mist and pushed his focus inward. His steps softened to near silence, every muscle working in harmony to create as little noise as possible. His lightning extinguished to not attract attention.

    He moved like a ghost, his body practically blending with the shifting mist.

    The world around him became a blur of grey and white as he entered the fog, each footstep deliberate and controlled. He couldn''t afford a single misstep.

    Chen Ren glanced back, watching the ethereal rhino charge into the mist after him.

    His heart hammered in his chest, but he remained calm. If the rhino had no way to see through the mist, he might have a chance. The dense fog swallowed him whole, obscuring his figure from the creature¡¯s sight.

    he thought, using the sentence as a mantra in his mind.

    Behind him, the sound of the ethereal rhino crashing through the mist echoed like thunder, its roar wild and desperate.

    He saw it turning in a different direction than where he stood due to the shine of its horn.

    Chen Ren couldn¡¯t help but smile to himself. Just as he¡¯d suspected, the rhino was nothing more than a mindless beast¡ªa shadowy creature driven by instinct. If it couldn¡¯t see him, it couldn¡¯t do anything at all.

    With that thought, Chen Ren moved carefully through the fog, each step measured and silent. The mist, thick and oppressive, offered him the perfect cover. Slowly, the silhouette of the rhino materialized through the haze, its massive body huffing as it searched for him. Looking here and there. Chen Ren¡¯s heart raced as he crept closer to the creature¡¯s rear.

    Without hesitation, he gathered all his remaining strength and unleashed a [Thundering Punch] directly onto the rhino¡¯s back. The ground beneath him cracked as the force of the blow reverberated, sending a shockwave through the earth. The monster let out a bone-rattling roar, its body shuddering from the impact.

    But by the time it turned around, Chen Ren was already gone, slipping away like a shadow in the mist. The rhino, disoriented and enraged, madly charged back and forth, trying to catch the elusive figure that had struck it. But Chen Ren was already on the move again, hitting the same spot on the creature¡¯s back, again and again,

    The rhino¡¯s movements grew sluggish as it staggered, its form dimming in the mist. Chen Ren¡¯s confidence grew with each successful hit. he thought to himself, and

    He rushed forward, gathering his remaining qi and unleashing his [Lightning Frenzy] on the rhino, his fists crackling with power. This time, however, the rhino seemed to sense the change. With surprising agility, it turned just in time to meet his strike. Chen Ren¡¯s fist landed with a deafening impact against its face, and the rhino screamed in pain, its body jolting backwards.

    But before Chen Ren could make his escape, the rhino retaliated. Its ivory horn shot forward, slashing across his shoulder with a sickening burn. Pain exploded through him, but he gritted his teeth, pushing through the agony. Adrenaline surged as he leapt over the creature, narrowly avoiding its follow-up attack.

    The rhino roared and charged again, but Chen Ren was already moving. By now, he had a solid grasp of where he was. He could feel the edge of the city in the distance. The boundary was near.

    And then, just as he expected, the city¡¯s walls loomed before him, rising up from the mist. The rhino, relentless as ever, continued its charge, its eyes locked on him. But Chen Ren was ready. With a powerful burst of speed, he kicked off the ground, his foot landing solidly on the city wall and jumped.

    The rhino, too caught up in its rage to stop, slammed into the wall with a bone-shaking impact. It''s horn got caught in the stone. It let out a painful whimper as it struggled to free itself.

    This was it. Chen Ren didn¡¯t hesitate. He got back on the ground and summoned the last of his energy, his qi surging through his body. Destructive lightning surged through his fist, and with one final roar, he unleashed it at the rhino¡¯s face.

    The moment his punch connected, the ethereal beast seemed to dissolve. Lightning covered its whole body and its form shattered into just air of glowing particles, mixing with the mist and vanishing into the atmosphere like smoke.

    Chen Ren staggered back, panting heavily, his shoulder searing with pain.

    He barely had time to register the victory before his exhaustion hit him all at once. His legs gave out, and he dropped to his knees, breathing heavily, eyes locked on the mist as the last remnants of the rhino disappeared.

    Chen Ren squinted at the fading remnants, his mind racing with confusion.

    His gaze swept across the mist that seemed to cling to the ground, but no one else was in sight. The silence of the city had settled into an eerie calm, a complete one-eighty to the chaos he had just fled.

    Then, like a wave crashing over him, the pain hit. Double and triple the pain he felt before.

    His entire body screamed in protest¡ªthe deep, gnawing ache in his shoulder where the rhino¡¯s horn had grazed him, the weariness in his legs that felt like they were made of lead from the continuous use of his [Lightning Step] technique, and the raw tenderness in his arms, which had taken the brunt of the rhino¡¯s tough hide. His breath came in short gasps, each movement sending tremors of agony through him.

    He couldn''t afford to stay here. Not now. There were no sign of Yalan, and he needed to move, to find safety.

    Chen Ren gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand, pushing against the searing pain. His legs felt unsteady, but his determination was unshakable. If he were to pass out here, no one would know he died. And he would be disappointing Yalan who had given him the opportunity to escape.

    He would never get the chance to fulfil the potential of his dao and uncover the mysteries of this world.

    He clutched his shoulder and walked, each step sending a jolt of pain all over his body. But he endured and moved further and further.

    The smoke plumed from every corner, the air thick with the screams of panicked citizens and the bellowing roars of beasts still terrorizing the streets. As he moved, every step felt like a battle in itself.

    But he couldn¡¯t afford to collapse now.

    When he finally reached the Tang Clan compound, the sight of guards and familiar faces gave him a brief moment of solace. Tang Xiulan was among them, her eyes scanning the crowd, but when she spotted him, her face blanched. Without a second thought, she rushed toward him, her footsteps quick as if she feared the worst.

    ¡°Young Master Chen Ren!¡± she shouted, her voice filled with panic as her eyes took in his condition.

    His body, weakened and drained from the battle, faltered. As she reached him, Chen Ren had no strength left to hold himself upright. His body sagged, and with a soft, almost defeated sigh, he collapsed into her arms, his vision beginning to blur.

    "I have no energy left... Please take care of me," he murmured, his words barely above a whisper, heavy with exhaustion.

    He gave in to the darkness that clouded his vision. The dots drew a full blank and numbness clouded his entire body.

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon.

 Chapter 40: Bitter Pills

    Chen Ren felt like he was running and running, his lungs burning as if they were on fire, his legs trembling under the weight of his own body. Behind him, a monstrous demonic beast roared, its grotesque tentacles writhing like living shadows, each one tipped with a sharp edge that thirsted for his blood¡ªseeking him, wanting to slash his flesh into pieces.

    The earth beneath him quaked with each step of the beast, the sound of its guttural growls reverberating through his chest. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Lightning coursed through his legs, arcs of electric energy crackling at his heels, urging him forward with desperate speed. Yet, no matter how fast he ran, no matter how much he pushed himself, the beast was faster.

    Every step sent pain coursing through his body.

    His limbs felt heavy, and his strength was a shallow reservoir rapidly draining away.

    A cold, slimy tendril lashed out and wrapped around his waist, yanking him off his feet. He thrashed wildly, trying to get out of this trap, but the tentacle only tightened, crushing his ribs as it dragged him closer to the monstrosity. It hovered over him, a terrifying amalgamation of chaos and darkness, its grotesque mouth lined with jagged teeth stained with the remnants of its past victims. Shreds of human flesh and bone dangled from its maw, the stench of death suffocating.

    Chen Ren¡¯s heart sank into an abyss of despair as the creature spoke, its voice a deep, guttural resonance that seemed to echo within his very soul.

    "Your soul is mine now."

    The beast reared its head back, preparing to devour him, when a deafening roar split the air.

    Chen Ren covered his ears, the sound almost rupturing his eardrums.

    The skies above erupted into brilliance. Golden light emanated, making his jaw drop.

    A massive golden dragon glided down, its scales shimmering with celestial radiance. Its eyes burned with fury, and each beat of its wings sent waves of energy rippling across the landscape. The dragon¡¯s roar shook Chen Ren, a sound so powerful it seemed to challenge the very existence of the demonic beast.

    Chen Ren¡¯s hope reignited as the dragon descended like a bolt of divine retribution, its claws poised to rip the monstrosity apart.

    But before the dragon could strike, a sharp pain shot through Chen Ren¡¯s leg. He cried out as warm blood gushed from the wound.

    He glanced down, only to see the beast¡¯s tentacle morphing, its slimy surface sprouting fur. Its sharp tip was reshaping into a familiar claw.

    His mind spun as he stared at the transformation, confusion breaking through the fog of fear. "Isn¡¯t this¡­ Yalan¡¯s claw?"

    The beast¡¯s mouth twisted into a cruel grin, its voice reverberating once more.

    "Yes, it is. Now wake up."

    Chen Ren blinked, his breath catching. The surreal nightmare twisted further as a force yanked him upward, ripping him from the darkness.

    He gasped, sitting bolt upright. His chest heaved as cold sweat drenched his body, and his surroundings came into focus.

    He found himself in the same room he had been living in for over a month in Tang Clan''s guest compound.

    His hands trembled as he instinctively reached for his legs, now tightly wrapped in fresh bandages. His shoulders, too, bore signs of care, medicinal salves and bindings holding together his battered body.

    His gaze shifted, locking onto Yalan, sitting beside him. Her sharp eyes studied him, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. She tilted her head as if to say, ¡°

    Chen Ren looked around the room again, his thoughts a whirlwind. Memories of the night before came flooding back¡ªhis meeting with Feng Ming, the return of the medallion, the attack of the demonic cultivator, the explosion that tore through the silence, the spectral rhinos he fought while fleeing for his life. It all felt like a lifetime ago.

    He exhaled shakily, rubbing his temples. The beast¡¯s words still echoed in his mind, its jagged teeth and monstrous grin seared into his memory. He glanced at Yalan again, her presence anchoring him to the present.

    ¡°What¡­¡± he croaked, his voice hoarse. ¡°What happened?¡±

    Yalan started kneading as she relaxed on the bed.

    ¡°You¡¯re alive. Barely. But next time, try to put more practice into your movement techniques. Like you learned last night, not every fight is fair and you need to run more times than you would like. A fast movement technique helps in that, especially for someone so weak.¡±

    Chen Ren winced at her bluntness but couldn¡¯t argue. He let his head fall back against the bed, staring at the ceiling.

    ¡°Here.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes drifted to Yalan¡¯s paw, where two pills rested. The scent of herbs wafted from them.

    He raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued despite the ache in his body. ¡°What are those?¡±

    Yalan¡¯s tail flicked. ¡°The grey one is a Flesh Restoration Pill. It¡¯ll mend your torn flesh, stop the bleeding, and close up the worst of your injuries. The white one is a Body Restoration Pill. It handles minor wounds, balances your qi flow, and gives you a surge of energy. Take them both, and you¡¯ll be back on your feet soon enough.¡±

    Chen Ren picked up the pills, holding them between his fingers as he inspected them. The grey pill was rough and irregularly shaped, its surface matte and unappealing. The white pill, by contrast, had a smoother texture and gave off a faint luminescent sheen. He glanced at Yalan skeptically.

    "Surge of energy, huh?" he muttered, rolling the pills in his palm. With a resigned sigh, he popped them into his mouth.

    The taste hit him instantly¡ªa mix of bitter herbs and something else indescribable, like burnt ash mixed with spoiled milk. His face twisted in disgust, and his first instinct was to spit them out.

    Yalan¡¯s sharp voice stopped him mid-motion. ¡°Chew them. Both of them. If you don¡¯t, they won¡¯t work properly.¡±

    He gave her a withering look but complied, biting down on the pills. The bitterness intensified, spreading across his tongue and making his stomach churn. He felt his gag reflex coming to play when he chewed further, but somehow, he managed to swallow the gritty remains. His entire face scrunched up in pain.

    As the last of the taste faded, warmth blossomed in his core. It started as a tickle, then spread like wildfire through his veins. His breathing steadied, and the ache in his shoulders melted away. Even the dull throb in his legs dampened until it was barely noticeable. He flexed his fingers, marveling at the sudden vitality coursing through him.

    Yalan watched his reaction with an amused smirk. ¡°Feeling better already, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Chen Ren nodded, rolling his shoulders experimentally. ¡°Yeah, even my shoulders feel better. What type of herbs are they even made up of?¡±

    ¡°Dozens of different herbs and beast materials. You don''t need to know right now. Just take them as a miracle of alchemy.¡± Yalan said with a wave of her paw.

    Chen Ren studied her for a moment before asking, ¡°Where did you get them? And what happened yesterday? Did you kill those spectral beasts?¡±

    Yalan rolled over and showed her belly like a normal cat. A behaviour he had gotten used to. He briefly wondered if he should scratch, thinking back to his neighbour''s cat that used to love that. But decided against it in the end.

    She was a feisty soul and Chen soon saw it when she turned around and sat next to him. ¡°Of course I killed them. Those foul creatures were easy enough to deal with, though there were a lot of them. After finishing them off, I wanted to come back for you, but the demonic cultivator was still out there. I couldn¡¯t risk letting him escape. So, I rushed back to the site of the explosion, but there was no trace of him. That bastard vanished without a single clue.¡±

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    Chen Ren frowned. ¡°And the pills?¡±

    ¡°I found them in a pill shop that the spectral rhinos were destroying,¡± she said nonchalantly. ¡°Figured you¡¯d need them, so I grabbed a handful. Afterward, I scoured the area, hoping to find that demonic cultivator, but he was gone. By the time I came back to look for you, you¡¯d already disappeared. When I finally tracked you down, you were collapsed in the Tang Manor¡¯s courtyard with Xiulan tending to you.¡±

    Chen Ren leaned back against the pillows, absorbing Yalan¡¯s words. His fingers drummed lightly against his thigh, betraying his unease.

    ¡°The demonic cultivator got away¡­ fuck! He must be stronger than I thought if he can control those spectral rhinos.¡±

    Yalan shook her head. ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so. There were no traces of demonic qi on them. They weren¡¯t his doing¡ªnot directly, at least. I believe they came from a spirit artefact, not the work of the cultivator himself. Whoever set this chaos in motion, I doubt they intended for the city to be wrecked like this. The other killings were done quietly, in the dead of night. This... this mess doesn¡¯t fit the pattern. Honestly, I don¡¯t even think the explosions were caused by the demonic cultivator.¡±

    Chen Ren furrowed his brow, her words gnawing at the edges of his thoughts. He suddenly recalled the talismans he¡¯d glimpsed in Feng Ming¡¯s room before fleeing. Those fire runes. The memory clicked into place, and a theory began to form.

    If Yalan was right and the explosions weren¡¯t the cultivator¡¯s doing, then those talismans¡­ He gritted his teeth. The demonic cultivator had been heading toward the Feng Clan estate, and the talismans might have been the trigger for this entire mess. Perhaps the blasts were intended to draw attention¡ªenough to set the Feng Clan¡¯s guards and the city watch on high alert. The spectral rhinos could have been a diversion, buying time for the demonic cultivator to slip away unnoticed.

    As his thoughts raced toward a conclusion, a knock on the door jolted him back to reality. He exchanged a glance with Yalan, then called out, ¡°Come in.¡±

    The door creaked open, revealing Tang Xiulan. Her usual confidence was replaced with an expression of worry and concern. Her eyebrows knitted in a tight frown and her lips tightened. Her gaze darted to Chen Ren, and the tension in her shoulders eased slightly when she saw him sitting upright.

    ¡°Young Master, you¡¯re awake. How are you feeling now?¡± she asked, stepping into the room.

    Chen Ren offered a faint smile, trying to downplay the gravity of his injuries. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Feeling better already. Wounds like these won¡¯t keep me bedridden for long.¡±

    He glanced at Yalan, and back at Xiulan. ¡°Can we have the room for a moment?¡±

    Xiulan didn¡¯t nod immediately. Chen Ren noticed it and frowned. ¡°Is there something else you need to tell me?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Xiulan replied and cleared her throat. Her hands fidgeted nervously as she looked at him. ¡°Young Master, the city guards are asking about you. They¡¯re here to question you.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°Question me? About what?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re suspecting you¡¯re the demonic cultivator. They¡¯re talking about taking you away to interrogate you. I have tried to keep them away from your room, but they are insisting on seeing you.¡±

    Chen Ren''s eyebrows shot up in shock. He exchanged a quick glance with Yalan, her fur standing slightly on end as her ears twitched in shared alarm. Without wasting a second, Chen Ren pushed the covers aside and swung his legs over the bed. ¡°Where are they?¡± he demanded.

    Tang Xiulan hesitated, wringing her hands. ¡°They¡¯re just outside the compound. Young master, you shouldn''t move. You are injured.¡±

    Chen Ren grabbed his outer robe, ignoring the slight twinge of pain in his still-mending shoulder and Tang Xiulan''s words. ¡°I¡¯ll go deal with it,¡± he said firmly, striding toward the door. ¡°And don''t worry. Most of my injuries have healed.¡±

    ¡°Be careful,¡± Xiulan called after him, worry evident in her tone.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine,¡± he said without looking back. ¡°I¡¯ll just explain what happened last night. They¡¯ve got no right to throw around accusations like this.¡±

    Despite his confident words, his thoughts churned.

    He walked through the wooden floorboards, briefly glancing at the other servant he passed by before finally stepping into the courtyard.

    As he did so, Chen Ren froze mid-step. An oppressive aura bore down on him like a tidal wave, heavy and unrelenting. His instincts flared, and he immediately scanned the source. A group of city guards stood in formation, their gazes hard and unyielding. At the forefront, a towering man clad in dark armor exuded an unmistakable presence.

    Oppressive qi rippled out of him and Chen Ren gulped. By this point, he had seen enough cultivators and had familiarised himself with qi to know that the man wasn''t just a body forging realm cultivator¡ª this was someone in the qi refinement realm.

    Chen Ren¡¯s gut twisted slightly. He hadn¡¯t anticipated facing someone of this caliber today.

    The man¡¯s sharp eyes locked onto Chen Ren the moment he stepped into view. ¡°You are Chen Ren?¡± he asked. ¡°I''m the guard captain here. We need you to come with us.¡±

    Chen Ren straightened his back, suppressing the lingering pain in his body. ¡°That¡¯s me. What¡¯s this about?¡±

    The guard captain¡¯s expression remained stony.

    ¡°By order of City Lord Li Baolong, you are hereby taken into custody for the murder of Feng Ming of the Feng Clan and on suspicion of being the demonic cultivator responsible for wreaking havoc throughout the city. Any resistance will be met with force. Surrender yourself immediately.¡±

    ***

    Gu Tian stood amidst a restless crowd gathered near the ruins of a grand estate. The smoldering wreckage of the Feng Clan manor painted a grim picture of chaos, with splintered wood and charred stones strewn across the ground like discarded remnants of an inferno. The acrid scent of smoke still lingered in the air, mingling the scent of blood.

    The people around him whispered in hushed tones, their voices tinged with fear and fascination.

    ¡°They say the demonic cultivator unleashed a demon,¡± murmured one man, his eyes darting nervously toward the wreckage. ¡°It swallowed everything in its path.¡±

    ¡°I heard the guards were helpless against the thing,¡± a woman added, clutching her child tightly. ¡°Nothing but corpses left behind.¡±

    ¡°Quiet down!¡± barked a guard stationed nearby, waving his spear to scatter the crowd back. ¡°This is an official investigation. Clear the area!¡±

    Despite the guards¡¯ efforts, the whispers persisted, growing more sensational with each retelling. Gu Tian shook his head.

    He knew the truth. He had been there when the explosion rocked the Feng estate. He had been on the verge of finishing Feng Ming, the wretched and weak young master, when the fool had activated those talismans. The runes had glowed ominously before exploding in a catastrophic release of power, killing Feng Ming instantly and forcing Gu Tian to flee.

    The aftermath had been far from ideal. The explosion had attracted too much attention, forcing him to use his master¡¯s spirit artifact¡ªa concealed relic with enough power to create a diversion while he escaped into the shadows.

    Now, he was here, blending into the crowd, spectating the chaos he had indirectly caused. The guards combed through the wreckage, their faces grim as they retrieved bodies, both whole and in pieces. Gu Tian kept his hood low, smirking faintly at their ineptitude.

    A sharp, familiar voice cut into his thoughts, ringing clearly in his head.

    his master¡¯s ethereal tone hissed, full of disapproval.

    Gu Tian¡¯s jaw clenched, but he didn¡¯t respond immediately. He stepped away from the crowd, moving into a narrow alley, his boots crunching on loose gravel. Once out of sight, he muttered under his breath, ¡°We don¡¯t have a lot of time. The guards were already on edge. I didn¡¯t have a choice.¡±

    ¡°And now they¡¯re more vigilant than ever, thanks to you,¡± his master retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Do you have any idea how much harder you¡¯ve made this? And we¡¯re no closer to finding the medallion.¡±

    Gu Tian ground his teeth, his frustration bubbling to the surface. ¡°It¡¯s not my fault! I¡¯ve searched the entire city, but you¡¯re asleep half the time in that bracelet of yours. You can¡¯t detect the medallion unless you¡¯re awake, and you only stirred yesterday when I was already seconds away from killing Feng Ming. If you stayed conscious, we¡¯d have the damn thing by now, and we would be on my way to the Gate of Immortals.¡±

    Gu Tian leaned against the cold stone wall of the alley, exhaling sharply as his master¡¯s deep, raspy voice growled in his mind.

    Gu Tian rolled his eyes, his voice laced with exasperation. ¡°Alright, fine. But let¡¯s be real here¡ªwe¡¯re no closer to finding the medallion, and after the stunt last night, sneaking into the big clans is out of the question. The city¡¯s crawling with guards. If I so much as breathe near their gate, I¡¯ll have an entire squad on me.¡±

    ¡°So?¡± his master replied coolly. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be resourceful, aren¡¯t you? Figure it out.¡±

    Gu Tian ignored the jab, straightening as his thoughts coalesced into a single plan. ¡°The tournament,¡± he said decisively. ¡°It¡¯s the only chance we¡¯ve got. If the medallion is as significant as we know, there¡¯s a good chance it¡¯ll either be among the prizes or carried by someone important. If we enter, you can sense if it¡¯s nearby, right?¡±

    A gruff silence followed, his master¡¯s presence simmering in his mind like a storm waiting to break. Finally, the spectre replied, his tone reluctant. ¡°

    ¡°Then it¡¯s settled,¡± Gu Tian said, determination hardening his voice. ¡°I¡¯ll enter the tournament. Until then, I¡¯ll lie low. No more slip-ups.¡±

    His master snorted. ¡°Low profile, huh? A bit late for that, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    Gu Tian frowned but chose not to retort. He knew his master was right. Still, this was their best option.

    ¡°I will be sleeping until then. Don¡¯t do anything else. You¡¯ve done enough for now. Just hide and wait. If we get caught before that, you know what¡¯ll happen.¡±

    Gu Tian nodded. ¡°Our goal of immortality will be over. I get it. I¡¯ll stay hidden.¡±

    With a tug of his hood, Gu Tian melded into the shadows of the labyrinthine streets. His master''s silhouette disappeared from his eyes, returning to his bracelet. Just a little bit more time until the day of the tournament.

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon.

 Chapter 41: Innocent until proven (1)

    When the guards arrived and refused to let him speak, Chen Ren knew it was bad news. They didn¡¯t stop there¡ªthey grabbed his arm and began dragging him away. He could only glance back at the confused expressions of those gathered around the Tang Clan compound.

    Anger surged through him, seeping from his core to the tips of his fingers. He wanted to burn the guards to ashes.

    The past twenty-four hours had been anything but peaceful. First, the meeting with Feng Ming hadn¡¯t exactly been pleasant. Then, he had narrowly survived explosions and had to fend off ethereal ghost rhinos bent on his destruction. And now? He was being hauled away on the suspicion of being a demonic cultivator.

    At this point, he almost wished he was one, just so he could kill them all on the spot. Because, after all, there was only so much one man could endure.

    Although Chen Ren lacked the strength to fight against qi refinement realm cultivators, he knew Yalan did. The small but ancient spirit beast could easily tear through them all with her claws and flames. Part of his brain, the impulsive part, urged him to unleash her, to ignore the consequences entirely. But rationality held him back. Regretfully, he had to consider the aftermath.

    Causing a scene by opposing the city guards would mean going against the bureaucracy¡ªand that would only spell more trouble for him and his budding business in the long run. He had no choice but to endure this indignity.

    It was almost funny¡ªor perhaps it was just his mind playing tricks on him during an unfunny situation. In Xianxia novels, protagonists always seemed to burn entire cities for one reason or another. He wasn¡¯t one of them¡ªit was for the best. Taking extreme measures would bring the wrath of the entire empire upon him.

    After all, in Xianxia logic, there was always someone stronger¡ªsomeone who would inevitably arrive to exact revenge for the chaos.

    It was a never-ending spiral: one comes, only to be followed by someone stronger.

    Chen Ren sighed. He didn¡¯t want to be part of that vicious cycle. As frustrating as the situation was, he believed in his ability to find a way out. For one, he wasn¡¯t a demonic cultivator. And two, he had the backing of the Tang Clan. If things spiraled out of control, he knew they¡¯d step in to rescue him.

    At least, he hoped they would.

    Therefore, suppressing the simmering anger and his urge to burn everything down, Chen Ren sat silently in the carriage. As the door slammed shut with an unnecessarily harsh thud, he took a deep breath and reached out to Yalan mentally, knowing she must be nearby.

    Yalan¡¯s voice came through, calm and soothing, a much-needed balm to his frazzled nerves.

    Even though he had a potential escape, he couldn¡¯t stop his heartbeat from quickening, its rhythm pounding in his ears. he thought, glancing down at his hands.

    Thankfully, they hadn¡¯t cuffed him. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was because the captain of the guards was confident in his strength or simply because Chen Ren hadn¡¯t resisted.

    Before he could ponder further, two more guards climbed into the carriage, one on either side, boxing him in.

    ¡°Well?¡± Chen Ren broke the silence, turning to the man on his right. He was tall, with brownish hair and clad in the standard green guard uniform. By the subtle aura he gave, he was a low star body forging realm cultivator.

    Chen Ren expected at least a terse response from him; a conversation that might help him glean the information he desperately needed.

    Instead, he was met with nothing. The guards sat rigid, their mouths clamped shut, gazes fixed straight ahead.

    He waited a moment, then tried again. ¡°Why am I being dragged off like this?¡±

    Silence. Again.

    Realizing it was futile, Chen Ren gave up. The rest of the ride stretched on in complete silence. He kept his mouth shut, letting the oppressive quiet hang heavy around them.

    The carriage rattled along, its destination unknown to him. The journey was anything but comfortable. The guards on either side flanked him so closely he felt squashed, their presence acting as a constant reminder of his lack of freedom.

    Looking out the small window, he found his only solace. The city outside bore the scars of recent destruction. Crumbled buildings lined the streets, their remains strewn across the ground like forgotten relics of stability. People wept openly as their ruined homes stood as testaments to the chaos.

    Debris filled the air, while the cacophony of hammers striking, tools clanging, and voices shouting painted a grim picture of the city¡¯s heart. Through it all, he could almost hear the pain raging in their hearts, unspoken but unmistakably raw.

    Some people pointed at the carriage. They hurled curses and shouted incomprehensible accusations at the guards¡¯ inability to do anything to stop the destruction. The guards seemed to ignore them, but he could see them frowning for a brief second.

    he thought, watching the angry and despairing passersby.

    Until now, his short time in the city had taught him that the guards were slow-moving and likely corrupt. But this time, they had acted quickly¡ªtoo quickly. It was clear that due to the murders and the attack, their reputation was all-time low.

    They had likely gotten orders from someone higher up too.

    Chen Ren could guess the likely source¡ª City Lord Li Baolong himself.

    But why he had gotten taken in was still a mystery. Though, he had an idea.

    As his mind tried to make sense of it, a dull ache began to throb in his temples. He flinched, rubbing the sides of his forehead. he mused bitterly.

    In life, timing was everything¡ªbeing in the right place at the right moment could open doors. But in his case, he¡¯d been in the wrong place at the worst possible time.

    Someone had likely spotted him entering the Feng Ming Clan estate the previous night. He¡¯d taken his time there, staying longer than he should have. Then came the explosion. And, as luck would have it, he¡¯d been close enough to witness the devastation¡ªand endure its aftermath.

    he thought grimly, his headache worsening.

    His theory solidified when he recalled the guard¡¯s announcement during his arrest: they suspected him of being a demonic cultivator.

    Chen Ren let out a slow breath, forcing the tension in his chest to subside. , he told himself. If he kept his composure and explained himself, surely they would see reason.

    That was assuming they¡¯d even bother to look at the truth with reasonable eyes. If not, Chen Ren could only guess what fate awaited him.

    The thought crept in, dark and unbidden, sending a chill rippling across his body. He shook it off, refusing to entertain it further. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Instead, he did what he had learned to do best¡ªignore everything. His gaze stayed fixed on the passing streets outside the window. Roads blurred into shops, shops into houses, and houses back into more winding roads. The turns of the carriage, the jostling, and the suffocating lack of space clawed at him, stirring nausea that he forced down with sheer will.

    Finally, the carriage ground to a halt.

    The guards to his sides exited first, their heavy boots landing with purpose. They held the door open, but there was no courtesy in the gesture. Only cautious, wary stares that silently screamed mistrust.

    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    Chen Ren stepped out, the fresh air doing little to ease the dread pooling in his chest. His eyes rose to meet the imposing structure before him¡ªthe City Guard Station. Its gray stone walls loomed like an unyielding fortress, cold and unwelcoming.

    ¡°Move,¡± barked the guard who had sat to his right. The man¡¯s tone carried the weight of command, stiff and edged with unspoken threats.

    Chen Ren offered no resistance. He followed their lead, passing the iron-gated entrance flanked by dozens of guards. Their eyes bore straight ahead, statuesque in their discipline, giving him no more acknowledgment than they would a passing shadow.

    Inside, the oppressive silence of the corridor made each step echo ominously. The number of guards dwindled as they moved deeper, but their presence still pressed heavily on Chen Ren¡¯s shoulders.

    The path ended abruptly before two towering mahogany doors. Chen Ren¡¯s eyes instinctively flicked back to the guard, whose expression stayed cold and unyielding.

    ¡°Go in and wait,¡± came the terse instruction.

    Chen Ren¡¯s frown deepened, but he swallowed his retort. He thought bitterly but kept his silence.

    With a reluctant nod, he pushed the doors open.

    The room was barren, save for a lone wooden table and two chairs. The heavy doors slammed shut behind him with a force that rattled the ceiling, sealing him in.

    Chen Ren let out a long sigh, his body sagging like dead weight as he dragged a chair out and slumped into it. The effort of holding himself together had taken its toll, even in this short time.

    The ride from the Tang Compound to here had been excruciating. His body didn¡¯t ache as much as he had expected¡ªthanks to the pill he¡¯d taken earlier¡ªbut his legs still throbbed with soreness.

    Chen Ren''s gaze drifted across the sparse room, seeking distraction in its details. His eyes caught faint carvings etched into the stone walls¡ªrunes.

    he realized, his mind sharpening. The intricate designs radiated faint traces of power, almost imperceptible unless one knew to look for them. He leaned forward, examining them closely, noting their differences in style and purpose. There wasn¡¯t just one array at work here. The overlapping patterns suggested multiple layers of enchantments, each reinforcing the room¡¯s defenses.

    Chen Ren mused. He tapped his fingers lightly against the wooden table, piecing together the puzzle of the arrays to pass the time.

    From what he recalled about arrays¡ªa brief but enlightening chapter from the book he¡¯d studied yesterday¡ªthey were as varied as the stars in the sky. Each array drew on different materials and principles to achieve specific effects.

    he thought,

    The silence around him was stifling. Likely the work of a [Null Voice Array], which suppressed all sound from escaping¡ªor entering¡ªthe room. The walls themselves bore signs of reinforcement. The thick lines and angular patterns suggested a [Stoneheart Array], designed to make the structure nigh-impervious to force.

    But what truly piqued his interest were the subtler carvings that were there. Chen Ren guessed these might belong to a [Truthseeker Array].

    Although the world wasn''t advanced scientifically, it wasn''t far-fetched for magic to replace modern tools like lie detectors. The thought tugged at the corner of his mind, thinking of ways he would be able to use arrays to make new products to sell.

    As his thoughts drifted, another realization crept in, unbidden.

    Her name surfaced in his mind carrying a sense of disappointment, at himself. He¡¯d been looking forward to today¡¯s lesson on cultivation disciplines, eager to absorb her insights. The regret settled in his chest, mingling with the frustration of his current predicament.

    he thought, shaking his head lightly.

    Still, he took comfort in the knowledge that Qing He would likely understand. For now, he needed to focus on navigating this mess before he could return to what truly mattered.

    The faint hum of the arrays in the walls was the only sound in the room until the door creaked open. Chen Ren¡¯s gaze snapped up as the guard captain entered. His face bore a casual indifference, but Chen Ren didn¡¯t miss the subtle sharpness in his eyes¡ªhe was a man used to commanding attention.

    The captain carried a cup, steam rising lazily from its contents. He moved with unhurried grace, placing the cup on the table and sliding it toward Chen Ren.

    ¡°Here, drink this,¡± the captain said, his voice calm, almost friendly. ¡°Apologies for the abrupt way we brought you in, but orders are orders. We couldn¡¯t risk letting a suspect roam free while the investigation is ongoing.¡±

    Chen Ren glanced at the tea, then at the captain, his expression unreadable.

    His mind immediately jumped to the possibility of something being mixed into the tea. But the arrays in the room already ensured he was at their mercy. Any resistance now would only make him seem more suspicious.

    With a small nod, Chen Ren decided to play along. He picked up the cup, the warmth radiating through his fingers. Blowing gently on the surface, he took a cautious sip. The familiar flavour of oolong greeted him¡ªnothing unusual, at least in taste. But it helped him with the nerves, calming his headache.

    The captain¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile. ¡°I suppose introductions are in order. My name is Cai Tao. I¡¯m one of the guard captains here in the city.¡± He leaned back in his chair, his demeanor almost casual. ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you, Chen Ren. I¡¯ve heard quite a bit about you recently, but I never thought our first meeting would be under such... peculiar circumstances.¡±

    Chen Ren raised an eyebrow. ¡°And what exactly have you heard? Good things or bad?¡±

    Cai Tao chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that seemed rehearsed. ¡°A mix, I¡¯d say. Your businesses have been quite the talk of the city lately alongside your Trial by Might against Bai Shen. A hardworking and righteous cultivator trying to make an honest living? That doesn¡¯t exactly scream ¡®demonic cultivator,¡¯ now does it?¡±

    He paused, his gaze narrowing slightly. ¡°But as you might guess, personal opinions don¡¯t matter when it comes to enforcing the city¡¯s laws. Regulations exist for a reason, and my feelings can¡¯t interfere with my duty.¡±

    Chen Ren set the cup down, his fingers idly tracing its edge. ¡°Fair enough. So, Captain Cai, what now?¡±

    Cai Tao¡¯s smile didn¡¯t waver. ¡°We talk. I have a few questions, and I hope you¡¯ll indulge me.¡±

    Chen Ren studied him for a moment. His earlier impression of Cai Tao as a forceful, combat-ready man during the detainment at the Tang Clan compound clashed with the seemingly amicable demeanour he displayed now. It was clear this was a performance, a calculated attempt to put him at ease.

    With a faint smile of his own, Chen Ren nodded. ¡°Go on. I¡¯m all ears.¡±

    Cai Tao¡¯s face remained impassive, though his gaze bore the intent of a predator. He leaned forward slightly, his voice calm yet edged with an undercurrent of accusation.

    ¡°First of all, I believe you already know this, but Feng Ming died in yesterday¡¯s explosion.¡± He paused, watching Chen Ren¡¯s expression carefully. ¡°What do you think about that?¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s composure faltered, just for a moment. Though he had seen the devastation and guessed Feng Ming¡¯s chances were slim, a small part of him had clung to the possibility of survival.

    He didn¡¯t particularly like Feng Ming¡ªmemories of the man¡¯s attempt to scam him for the medallion flared in his mind¡ªbut death, especially one as violent as that, felt excessive. Snuffing out those thoughts quickly, he realised Cai Tao was studying him with the precision of a hawk.

    Chen Ren exhaled and spoke, his tone even. ¡°I feel sad, of course. We weren¡¯t particularly close, but he was an acquaintance. He was too young to die like that. I can only hope the heavens will be kinder to him in his next life.¡±

    Cai Tao¡¯s lips curled into a humourless smile. ¡°Acquaintance? Interesting. From what I¡¯ve heard, the two of you were closer than that. Drinking buddies, frequenting the same brothels...¡±

    Chen Ren grimaced, the memories of the previous body owner¡¯s less-than-savoury nights surfacing unbidden. ¡°I won¡¯t deny that. But Feng Ming wasn¡¯t the only one I drank with or visited brothels alongside. That doesn¡¯t mean we were close friends. Besides,¡± he added with a pointed tone, ¡°I¡¯ve stopped going to brothels altogether.¡±

    Cai Tao nodded slowly, as if accepting the statement. ¡°True enough. You may have stopped going to brothels, but you didn¡¯t stop meeting Feng Ming. In fact, according to my findings, you owed him a sum of money¡ª500 silver wen, to be exact¡ªand you met him yesterday, not long before his death.¡±

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t flinch. He had anticipated this line of questioning. ¡°That¡¯s correct. I owed him 500 silver wen, and I¡¯ve been working hard to pay it off. That¡¯s the only reason I went to see him yesterday¡ªto pay my debt and cut ties for good. I left right after that.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure that was all you did?¡± His gaze flicked to Chen Ren¡¯s shoulder, lingering on the bandages beneath his robes. ¡°After all, you¡¯re clearly injured. The servants at the Tang Clan compound confirmed you were resting due to those wounds.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s brows furrowed, but he held his ground. ¡°What are you trying to say?¡±

    Cai Tao pointed at Chen¡¯s shoulder. ¡°That wound on your shoulder¡ªlooks like it was caused by a blade. Feng Ming was a sword cultivator, wasn¡¯t he? According to your version of events, you simply left after paying your debt. But don¡¯t you think it¡¯s quite a coincidence that Feng Ming died so soon after your meeting? It doesn¡¯t seem far-fetched to me to put two and two together.¡±

    Chen Ren met Cai Tao¡¯s gaze steadily. ¡°Coincidence or not, I¡¯m not the demonic cultivator. I get that it¡¯s suspicious¡ªthe timing, my injuries¡ªbut injuries alone don¡¯t prove guilt. I was at the wrong place at the wrong time, nothing more.¡± He leaned back slightly, his voice calm but firm. ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate that the demonic cultivator attacked after I left, but you can¡¯t pin that on me.¡±

    Cai Tao smiled at that, almost mocking his words. "Yeah, it doesn''t prove anything, but there¡¯s one more thing. We suspect the attack was by a demonic cultivator, but it¡¯s still just suspicion. The timing of the attacks, targeting high-profile individuals like members of big clans or wealthy merchants, makes sense. But I wonder... is it really him? The previous murders were done silently and we''ve yet to see him or her summon beasts to aid in the attacks. Till now, the demonic cultivator had been trying to stay in the shadows, but this time it was different. And that could be a sign of an impersonator¡ªsomeone using the image of a demonic cultivator to cover their own deeds."

    He paused, letting the words settle. And the next words; they came out of his mouth slowly. "And if I think about the ability to summon beasts, it¡¯s clear that it must be tied to some sort of spirit artifact¡ªa rare and valuable item. The kind of thing most often found in the hands of the large clans. And speaking of which, aren¡¯t you from one of those big clans in Red Peak City?¡±

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon.

    PS - This is a small arc. I''m clarifying because I know some RR readers get miffed with such arcs, but it won''t be like that.

 Chapter 42: Innocent until proven (2)

    Cai Tao¡¯s mention of Red Peak City caught Chen Ren off guard, but he was no stranger to adapting in the face of uncertainty.

    The pure surprise in his eyes lasted barely a heartbeat before it vanished beneath his usual smile. It was a well-practiced business smile that came to him naturally. It wasn''t genuine, but no one had caught it yet.

    In such a setting, he knew every little detail was a giveaway.

    His lips curled slightly with the hint of a smirk tinged with self-deprecation, as he spoke with deliberate calm.

    ¡°Captain, it seems your research wasn¡¯t thorough enough,¡± Chen Ren said in a mocking tone, lowering his gaze as his smile faded into a downcast expression. His shoulders slumped ever so slightly.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Cai Tao¡¯s brow arched, suspicion laced through his voice. He leaned forward slightly, eyes squinting.

    Chen Ren let the silence stretch, just long enough for tension to build, before speaking again, his voice tinged with resignation. ¡°I¡¯ve been exiled by my clan,¡± he murmured, each word measured, as though admitting it took effort. ¡°The Chen Clan may hold sway in Red Peak City, but for someone like me? A failure cast out? They wouldn¡¯t lift a finger. And as for the artifact...¡± He allowed a bitter chuckle to escape, shaking his head. ¡°An exile, holding something as rare as a spirit artifact? Impossible. All I managed to leave with were a few personal belongings before they cast me out.¡±

    He lifted his gaze, locking eyes with Cai Tao. ¡°If you doubt me, you¡¯re welcome to confirm it with Tang Jihao, head of the Tang Clan. He knows my story.¡±

    The shift in Cai Tao¡¯s expression was subtle but telling. His sharp facial expression softened, replaced by a flicker of hesitation. Chen Ren could see the wheels turning in the guard captain¡¯s mind, the weight of the Tang Clan¡¯s name and his exile pressing against his doubts. Even so, Cai Tao¡¯s posture remained firm, his eyes narrowing as he seized on a new angle.

    ¡°You claimed those injuries came from fighting the spectral rhinos,¡± Cai Tao pressed, his eyes once again moving towards his shoulder. ¡°Yet you¡¯re still only in the body forging realm. Those rhinos were in the qi refinement realm, far beyond what someone of your cultivation should manage. How did you survive?¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s stature remained unruffled as he raised the teacup to his lip. After a pause, he lowered it and met Cai Tao¡¯s gaze calmly.

    ¡°I was chased by one of the rhinos into the mist¡­ Stronger than me, yes¡ªbut not clever. The creature couldn¡¯t navigate the haze, and I used that to my advantage. I struck from the shadows, again and again, until it fell.¡± He glanced briefly at the faint scars on his shoulder before continuing. ¡°It wasn¡¯t without cost. My injuries were severe, and I wouldn¡¯t be sitting here now without the pills I¡¯d saved up for emergencies.¡±

    Cai Tao gave a short nod, his eyes flicking briefly to the runes embedded in the walls of the room. His gaze returned to Chen Ren. ¡°I see,¡± he murmured, but the edge in his tone signalled that the questioning was far from over.

    What followed was a relentless barrage of inquiries.

    ¡°Where were you during the recent demonic cultivator attacks?¡±

    ¡°Why did you suddenly decided to become a merchant?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s your connection to the Blood Snakes? I heard you met with their leader Yu Kuang.¡±

    Chen Ren answered slowly, but without hesitation, never offering more than what was necessary. He had mostly been staying at the Tang Clan compound at night, so there would be witnesses. The servants could easily confirm that, and fortunately, there had been no attacks on the nights he had been out training in the forest.

    As the questions turned to his businesses, he spoke of how his debts were the reason, also adding the story he had told Tang Jihao sometime ago to give more weight to his decisions.

    When pressed about his confrontation with the Blood Snakes, he described it in broad strokes¡ªan unfortunate clash due to Bai Shen pulling the strings from the back, nothing more. Cai Tao tried his best to form a connection there, but Chen Ren stood firm. There were already rumours about the Trial by Might and why it happened, so he doubted the guard captain would get new information.

    Still, the questions continued.

    Through it all, Chen Ren carefully guarded his secrets. His dao remained hidden behind layers of mundane explanations. And as for Yalan... Not even the hint of her existence slipped through his words.

    Cai Tao¡¯s probing gaze lingered after each response, but Chen Ren sat still, his fingers lightly gripping the rim of his teacup. His thoughts wandered as the guard captain¡¯s scrutiny seemed to finally dull, as if the last thread of suspicion had been weighed and found wanting. He had expected Cai Tao to address his rapid cultivation progress, particularly after the sect entrance examinations, but the captain had avoided it entirely.

    He guessed that it was because Cai Tao had concluded that it had been mostly due to pills.

    Rich cultivators often relied on such means, and with the money Chen Ren had accumulated from his Trial by Might and his perfume shop, it was no surprise that he could afford to hasten his growth this way. The guard captain, in his pragmatic way, likely didn¡¯t see the need to press further.

    Eventually, the room grew quiet as Cai Tao leaned back in his chair, a faint sigh escaping his lips.

    His sharp gaze met Chen Ren¡¯s. ¡°Most of my questions are over, and up to this point, I believe you¡¯ve been honest with me. You¡¯ve even revealed the situation with your clan, something few would so freely admit.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded. But he didn¡¯t relax¡ªhe knew well that a change in tone often preceded a shift in intention.

    Cai Tao¡¯s eyes narrowed as he continued, his words heavy with finality. ¡°But despite that, I can¡¯t let you go just yet. You¡¯re not giving off any demonic qi, but we know too well that demonic cultivators have ways of hiding their aura. If we let you go now, there¡¯s always the chance you might slip through our fingers. So¡­¡± His gaze hardened. ¡°I¡¯m afraid we¡¯ll have to put you in the Purity Chamber.¡±

    Chen Ren raised an eyebrow. ¡°Purity Chamber?¡±

    Cai Tao¡¯s lips curled into a grim smile with no warmth in it. ¡°It¡¯s a property of the Soaring Sword Sect. A chamber specifically designed to expose demonic cultivators. If you harbor even a hint of demonic qi within your dantian, it will kill you. We¡¯ve been given permission to use it,¡± Cai Tao continued. ¡°All the suspects will be transferred there once the investigations are finished. It''s not easy to find a demonic cultivator, so the chamber is our last hope.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s mind raced. A chamber that could kill him in an instant, should he carry even the smallest trace of demonic qi. The risks were immense, but it wasn¡¯t his first time facing danger. Rather than that, he dreaded sitting in the room alone for more time.

    He managed to keep his expression neutral, though the frown on his face deepened as he spoke. ¡°How much time will it take?¡±

    Cai Tao seemed to consider this for a moment. ¡°Few days. We¡¯re completing the other investigations and rounding up the remaining suspects. Once we have everyone, we¡¯ll also move them to the Purity Chamber.¡±

    Before Chen Ren could respond, a sharp knock on the door echoed through the room, breaking the tension. Both men turned toward the sound, the moment of confrontation put on hold.

    As another knock echoed through the chamber, Cai Tao rose from his seat with a frown, his steps brisk as he moved to the door. He cracked it open just enough to step out, leaving Chen Ren sitting alone. Through the narrow gap, he caught a glimpse of another man standing outside¡ªone of Cai Tao¡¯s subordinates, judging by his uniform.

    He had an anxious expression and made some hurried gestures before the door shut firmly, leaving Chen Ren in solitude.

    He leaned back, casually tapping his finger on the edge of the desk. Finishing the last sip of his tea, he set the cup down, his gaze wandering over the runes glowing faintly on the walls. He couldn¡¯t shake the sense that something had shifted, though what it was remained unclear.

    Moments later, the door opened again, and Cai Tao returned, his face bearing an entirely different expression. There was no trace of suspicion, no lingering doubt¡ªonly an air of resignation.

    ¡°Forget what I said about the Purity Chamber,¡± Cai Tao said abruptly, his tone flat and decisive. ¡°You can go now.¡±

    Chen Ren blinked, genuinely taken aback. ¡°I can... go?¡± he repeated cautiously, his mind racing to decipher the sudden change. But years of navigating treacherous waters had taught him a valuable lesson:

    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    He rose quickly, bowing his head slightly to Cai Tao, masking his relief with a veneer of calm. ¡°Thank you, Captain. I¡¯ll take my leave.¡±

    With that, he stepped out of the room and into the dimly lit corridors. His strides were brisk but steady, his senses heightened as he glanced over his shoulder every few moments. The halls stretched endlessly ahead, but his mind was elsewhere, racing through questions. What had changed so suddenly? Could Tang Yuqiu have intervened? It seemed too fast, even for her.

    Just as he approached the final stretch before the exit, he froze. Standing there, her figure unmistakable even in the sparse light, was Qing He. The old woman radiated her usual unyielding aura, though her posture seemed firmer, her grip steady on a plain wooden stick she held. Beside her stood Yalan¡ªflickering her tail dismissively as always.

    Chen Ren walked forward, his confusion mounting. ¡°Senior Qing He? Why are you here?¡± His gaze flickered to the stick, and then to Yalan, who gave him a knowing look but said nothing. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Qing He¡¯s lips curved into a sly smile, her eyes gleaming with mischief. ¡°So many questions from someone I just bailed out of trouble.¡± S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes widened as her words sank in. ¡°You did that?¡± he asked, incredulous. ¡°How?¡±

    Her laughter echoed through the corridor, rich and knowing. ¡°Kid, you underestimate me. My connections go far, and I mean ¡ªright up to the city lord¡¯s personal chambers.¡± She tapped the stick against the ground for emphasis. ¡°Honestly, I was content to let them sort this out on their own. They¡¯d have released you sooner or later. But then Yalan came running to me, saying they were suspecting you of being a demonic cultivator. I knew those fools would drag out that Purity Chamber nonsense, so I stepped in.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s expression shifted from shock to something closer to gratitude. ¡°Thank you,¡± he said earnestly, though a thousand questions still swirled in his mind.

    ¡°That Purity Chamber?¡± Chen Ren raised an eyebrow. ¡°Is that supposed to be a bad thing?¡±

    ¡°For anyone who values their sanity? Yes.¡± Qing He leaned on her stick, her sharp eyes glinting with humour. ¡°The Purity Chamber doesn¡¯t just check for demonic qi. It crushes your dantian, shakes your soul, and grinds down your mind. Originally, it was called the Force Chamber¡ªa training tool from the olden days. Back then, it wasn¡¯t advised to stay in for more than an hour unless you wanted to come out drooling. Now? They¡¯ve modified it, but not for the better. Occasionally, they would find people suspected of being demonic cultivators and put them there till they lose their mind.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes widened, a chill running down his spine. ¡°So they were just going to shove me into a death trap, wait for me to lose my mind, and hope that if I was a demonic cultivator, I¡¯d unleash my qi to escape?¡±

    ¡°Precisely,¡± Qing He said, her tone almost casual. ¡°Demonic qi is volatile, more so than you can imagine. Under that much pressure, it would flare uncontrollably, revealing your true nature. Of course, that doesn¡¯t mean the chamber isn¡¯t lethal to regular cultivators too. And while your reckless ideas might get you killed someday, I¡¯d rather it not be this soon.¡± Her smirk deepened as she said the last part.

    Chen Ren clenched his fists, his mind flashing to Cai Tao¡¯s unnervingly calm demeanour. That smug, smiling face suddenly seemed like the perfect target for a slap or two. He couldn''t imagine how the man had been so casual while talking about the Purity Chamber. There was no way he didn''t know it would make him go insane, but he simply didn''t care enough to tell him.

    Part of it could have been because he didn''t want Chen Ren to try to escape, but it didn''t change the fact that he had nearly died just because he had been a suspect.

    He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to calm down before stepping forward and bowing deeply toward Qing He. ¡°Senior Qing He, thank you. I truly owe you for saving me from this.¡±

    Qing He¡¯s smile didn¡¯t waver. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re grateful now. But I don¡¯t expect that to last.¡±

    Chen Ren straightened, his brows furrowed in confusion. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Yalan, silent until now, finally spoke, her voice carrying a touch of amusement. ¡°I think she¡¯s referring to the deal you made, remember? She agreed to teach cultivation disciplines to you.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s face froze for a moment before turning toward Qing He, whose grin only grew wider, a dangerous glint in her eyes.

    ¡°That¡¯s right, kid,¡± she shrugged and turned around. ¡°I hope you¡¯re ready for hard training because I don¡¯t believe in holding back. And we are already late for our first session. Purity Chamber might have made you insane, but if you don''t focus, my training might have the same effect.¡±

    Chen Ren suppressed a groan, already imagining the gruelling days ahead, but then he looked back at the guard station and thought about the fate he had just escaped.

    Compared to that, he doubted her training could be that hard. Right?

    ***

    Growing up, Chen Ren had done a ridiculous amount of homework. Since middle school, he¡¯d turned his neat handwriting and quick mind into a part-time job, charging the younger kids in the neighbourhood for doing their assignments. By high school, he¡¯d been a one-man essay factory, churning out essays on everything from ancient poetry to biology experiments.

    Back then, it had been a hustle¡ªa way to earn some pocket money. But when Qing He announced she would be training him, he hadn¡¯t expected those endless days of scribbling to come back to haunt him.

    He stared down at the sheet of paper in front of him, frustration bubbling beneath his calm facade. For the five hundred and seventy-ninth time, he inscribed the same basic symbol with painstaking care, the brush gliding over the paper in smooth strokes.

    It was a simple pattern, deceptively easy to learn but maddeningly difficult to perfect. One slight wobble in the line, one stroke too thick or thin, and it was all worthless.

    Chen Ren sighed, his grip tightening around the brush as he spotted yet another mistake. The lines were uneven¡ªagain. He crumpled the paper in frustration, tossing it onto the growing pile of rejects before pulling out a fresh sheet to start over.

    Beside him, Qing He sat with infuriating serenity, sipping tea as if she had all the time in the world. ¡°Careful now,¡± she said without looking at him. ¡°The talisman doesn¡¯t care about your impatience. The symbols must be precise. A single flawed stroke can make the entire inscription useless¡ªor worse, unstable. I¡¯m sure you don¡¯t want it blowing up in your hand.¡±

    Chen Ren glared at her for a moment, though he quickly schooled his expression back to neutrality. ¡°I think I¡¯ve got that part figured out, thanks.¡±

    Qing He¡¯s lips twitched into a knowing smirk, but she said nothing, simply lifting her cup for another sip.

    She had dragged him here right after he¡¯d informed Tang Xiulan that he was safe and that she didn¡¯t need to worry.

    When he had thought about learning the disciplines, he hadn¡¯t expected to be thrust into hours of grueling practice, learning the basic inscription symbols used in talisman crafting. It sounded straightforward and easy in theory, but in practice, it was maddening. Even the tiniest deviation¡ªa millimeter off, an unsteady hand, or ink that dried too quickly¡ªmeant failure.

    And failure was all he had to show for the last few hours.

    He set his jaw, determined to get it right this time. The brush moved across the paper, his focus being his prime goal. Sweat beaded on his brow, his concentration razor-sharp. As he worked, he caught Qing He watching him from the corner of his eye, her expression calm but expectant, as if she were waiting for him to crack under the pressure. He almost groaned loudly for her to hear.

    ¡°Do you have to sit there and watch me?¡± he asked, his voice strained as he finished another line.

    ¡°Of course,¡± she said smoothly. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want you to feel neglected.¡±

    A moment passed, and another. Chen Ren just stared at her not knowing if he should give up right away or if he should¡ª

    ¡°What are you staring at? Why aren¡¯t you inscribing?¡±

    Chen Ren put down the brush and flexed his aching wrist, the stiffness beginning to creep up to his forearm. ¡°I¡¯m just tired. My wrist is killing me.¡±

    Qing He scoffed, setting her teacup down with a faint clink. ¡°Tired? Wrist hurting? That¡¯s nothing. You inscribe until your wrist can¡¯t move, and then you push past that. That¡¯s the way of a talisman master. What I¡¯ve given you are the basic Tier 1 runic symbols. You should consider yourself lucky I didn¡¯t start you off with alchemy. Then you¡¯d be learning the names of ten thousand herbs and their uses.¡±

    She chuckled, her laugh somehow both light and ominous. ¡°Actually, why don¡¯t we make that your next lesson¡ªafter you¡¯ve completed a thousand inscriptions, of course.¡±

    Chen Ren groaned inwardly, dropping his gaze back to the paper. ¡°A thousand,¡± he muttered, picking up the brush and dipping it back into the ink. ¡°Why not make it ten thousand while you¡¯re at it?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t tempt me,¡± Qing He replied.

    Chen Ren sighed heavily and refocused, the tip of his brush hovering over the paper as he prepared to start again. Just as he was about to inscribe the first line, the murmur of conversation drifted over from the other side of the tea shop.

    Two girls, familiar faces from the marketplace skirmish, were seated a few tables away¡ª Yin Qiao and Mei Lian. Since their initial fight, they had apparently gotten closer. Their voices carried just enough for him to catch snippets of their talk.

    ¡°The city tournament is starting soon,¡± Yin Qiao said, excitement evident in her tone. ¡°Are you going to take part?¡±

    Mei Lian shook her head, her expression nonchalant. ¡°No, I¡¯m better off cheering from the sidelines this time. But didn¡¯t it get canceled because of the demonic cultivator attack?¡±

    ¡°Nope,¡± Yin Qiao wiggled her eyebrows. ¡°It¡¯s still on. I heard they¡¯re making changes to keep everything secure. Extra guards and all that. Apparently, City Lord Li got angry at the guards on the security of the city and they had been working hard to ensure the tournament goes on right now.¡±

    ¡°Really? Then I wonder if Li Xuan is going to participate?¡±

    ¡°I have heard he will. Lots of cultivators are going to participate just to have a shot at challenging him.¡±

    Mei Lian''s eyes widened. ¡°Really? Then maybe I will go watch.¡±

    Chen Ren couldn¡¯t help but smile as he listened. The idea of a city tournament brought a spark of interest to his otherwise grueling day. He had heard about it before, but with everything he had gone through recently, the thought of it had completely left his mind.

    He turned slightly, his eyes meeting Qing He¡¯s piercing gaze.

    ¡°What¡¯s that grin about? Are you planning to enter the tournament? Or are you just daydreaming again?¡±

    Chen Ren shook his head, though his smile didn¡¯t fade. ¡°I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯ll enter. I haven¡¯t decided yet. I can''t enter without seeing if there''s any prize I want.¡± He tapped his chin thoughtfully, his mind already spinning. ¡°But I do see it as an opportunity.¡±

    Qing He raised a brow. ¡°What kind of opportunity?¡±

    ¡°For business, of course. A tournament means crowds. Crowds mean travellers from nearby villages and towns. It¡¯s the perfect chance to attract customers¡ªand I¡¯ve got so many ideas running through my head.¡±

    Qing He leaned back, studying him with an amused expression. ¡°You¡¯re more of a merchant than a cultivator, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Chen Ren shrugged. ¡°Why not both?¡± He picked up the brush again, his focus sharp. ¡°Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I¡¯ve got to finish this before my next big venture.¡±

    Qing He scoffed. ¡°Well, just don¡¯t let your wrist fall off before you reach a thousand inscriptions.¡±

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon.

 Chapter 43: Registration

    Over the next few days, Chen Ren¡¯s body healed with a speed that defied his expectations. The ache in his muscles faded, the faint stings of pain in his ribs dissipated, and soon, he felt stronger than he had before the battle. It was as if the ordeal had tempered his flesh, sharpening him like a blade pulled from the forge. He wasn''t surprised knowing pills were a miraculous cure in this world, but knowing and seeing it firsthand was a different experience altogether.

    The city, too, began to find its usual liveliness once again. The chaos of the demonic rhino attack¡ªso named by the people for the monstrosities that had trampled through the streets¡ªhad subsided, leaving an uneasy atmosphere in its wake. Despite that, the sound of hammers striking wood and labourers¡¯ voices filled the city as the wounds started to patch.

    Rumours were as abundant as the dust kicked up by the repairs. Whispers of arrests carried on the wind, names of those dragged to the city guard station for interrogation multiplying with each passing day. Chen Ren learned that over half of these individuals were sent to the sect, destined to sit in the Purity Camber. A grimace tugged at his lips each time he thought of the chamber¡ªa device designed to crush both body and spirit under its relentless pressure.

    He could only offer a silent prayer for the poor souls subjected to it.

    Despite the arrests, no news of the demonic cultivator¡¯s capture emerged. The lack of resolution hung over the city like a storm that refused to break. Some proclaimed that the culprit had already been caught. Others speculated that he had fled, vanishing into the night like a shadow.

    ¡°Fools,¡± Qing He had scoffed over tea one afternoon. ¡°If he¡¯d been caught, the City Lord would¡¯ve paraded him in the square by now, perhaps even staged a grand execution to reassure the masses. He might have just fled the city after the commotion he caused.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded, though he disagreed with the notion that the demonic cultivator had fled.

    Demonic cultivators were notorious for their madness, but their actions often carried a sinister purpose. Both he and Yalan believed that the perpetrator still lurked within the city, biding his time to complete whatever vile quest he pursued. It was scary¡ªespecially the feeling of uncertainty.

    It clawed his insides, over and over¡ªwhenever he thought of the demonic cultivator, but he refused to let it unbalance him.

    He got back into his routine, changing his training time to morning due to being wary of the demonic cultivator and focused on pushing his body and gaining mastery over his techniques every day.

    His goals remained steadfast: wealth, stability, and a future unmarred by poverty. Whatever chaos lingered in the city, Chen Ren resolved that his ambitions would not fall victim to it.

    He¡¯d rather think about his businesses and how to grow them.

    During all this, the City Lord''s office rolled out the announcements and registration for the long-awaited tournament. Chen Ren guessed that Li Baolong was using the tournament as a way to distract the city from the gloom of the demonic cultivator attack. From the conversations he heard on every street, Chen Ren knew it was working.

    The tournament''s rewards were prominently displayed¡ªglistening spirit stones, gleaming weapons, rare herbs, and ancient technique manuals. The promises of fortune and fame worked their magic, sparking excitement among cultivators and commoners alike.

    People spoke in animated tones about the tournament, their words filled with excitement. As he predicted, the city gates were busier than ever, welcoming travellers from nearby villages and towns, all eager to participate or watch the spectacle.

    The influx of visitors brought more customers to his noodle stall, and Tang Xiulan had to work tirelessly to keep up with the demand. Even the perfume shop, now under Tang Yuqiu¡¯s eye, saw a surge in business. It seemed young village women were particularly drawn to its offerings. And he wasn¡¯t the one to complain.

    ¡°Do you know why the perfumes are selling so well lately?¡± Tang Yuqiu asked one afternoon, her lips curving in a knowing smile.

    ¡°Enlighten me,¡± Chen Ren replied, counting the day¡¯s earnings.

    ¡°This time of year is considered auspicious for marriages. A nascent realm cultivator couple married at the end of summer centuries ago, and ever since, it¡¯s become a tradition for weddings,¡± she explained. ¡°The women are buying perfumes to stand out more, hoping to attract their destined partners.¡±

    Chen Ren sighed, regret flashing in his eyes. ¡°If I¡¯d known, I could¡¯ve started a clothing or jewelry business. The profit margins would¡¯ve been massive.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re already doing well with the stall and the perfume shop,¡± Tang Yuqiu reminded him.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not stopping there,¡± he said, though his mind raced, thinking about all the opportunities that lay ahead. He only needed to extend his hand to seize them. Especially with his new plan related to the upcoming tournament, which had been impossible to ignore with how loud people were getting about it.

    Moreover, after spending a few solid minutes staring at the prize list, he made a decision¡ªto enter it himself.

    After all, what could go wrong, really?

    ***

    ¡°Are you sure you want to enter the tournament?¡± Yalan asked, trailing behind Chen Ren as he followed the crowd in front of him. ¡°Once your name is registered, there¡¯s no turning back.¡±

    Chen Ren adjusted the sack on his shoulder, pausing to meet her gaze. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve already told you why I¡¯m entering.¡±

    She nodded slowly. ¡°For the plot of land and the spirit stones?¡±

    ¡°Not just that,¡± he replied and looked at her. ¡°They¡¯re offering weapons, technique manuals, herbs, and more. I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll take first place¡ªthere will be plenty of strong competitors¡ªbut I¡¯m confident I can make it to the top four. That¡¯s all I need to secure the spirit stones for an official sect status.¡±

    Yalan wiggled her tail aimlessly and continued her walk beside him. ¡°And you think you can come in the top four?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve thought this through. By the time the tournament ends, I¡¯ll either be on the verge of breaking through to the qi refinement realm or maybe I¡¯m already there. Besides, I have a few ideas I plan to test during the matches. If they work out, I¡¯ll have an edge over the others.¡±

    Yalan studied him for a moment, then sighed. ¡°I hope you know what you¡¯re doing. Just don¡¯t get yourself killed for spirit stones.¡±

    Chen Ren chuckled, his grip tightening on the sack. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not planning on dying anytime soon. I¡¯ve got too much left to do.¡±

    Chen Ren adjusted the sack on his shoulder once again while his eyes moved towards the crowd that had gathered in the streets. The city had become a melting pot of humanity, alive with travellers drawn by the promise of the tournament.

    He noted their clothes, a mix of sturdy village garb and modestly refined attire, with an occasional flash of more affluent silks. Their expressions varied¡ªsome wide-eyed with wonder, others brimming with anticipation, and a few carrying the jaded look of seasoned wanderers.

    Among the throng, he caught snippets of conversations, some laced with accents unfamiliar to his ears. It was clear the tournament had cast its net far and wide, drawing people from distant regions. The sheer size of the crowd made manoeuvering through the streets a challenge, and Chen Ren had to carefully sidestep a group of travellers gawking at a nearby herbal stall.

    As he walked, his thoughts shifted to the implications of the crowd.

    Soon, the imposing structure of the City Lord¡¯s office stood right ahead of him. Unlike the streets, which were filled with commoners, the area around the office teemed with cultivators. Chen Ren¡¯s sharp senses picked up on the subtle aura fluctuations in the air and the resolute gazes on display.

    Most of them were body-forging realm cultivators, their cultivation levels no lower than the fifth star. Sprinkled among them were qi-refinement realm cultivators, though none seemed to have surpassed the second star. What caught Chen Ren¡¯s attention most, however, was how young some of them looked. Many of them looked barely adult, some even appearing to have only recently stepped into their teenage years.

    he thought to himself.

    Chen Ren knew the unspoken rules of such events. While the tournament was open to body-forging and lower qi-refinement realm cultivators, those who had already climbed higher in the latter realm wouldn¡¯t bother. Competing at this level would only tarnish their reputation, and most high-star qi-refinement cultivators were already members of sects. For those gathered here, the tournament was an opportunity.

    Chen Ren thought, his lips curving into a faint smirk.

    A good performance here could serve as a backdoor into a sect, bypassing the gruelling entrance examinations. Though, he was sure there were also quite a lot of people who were only after glory and rewards, like him.

    Lost in thought, he made his way through the crowd, eventually reaching the upper floors where the registration desks were set up. The air here buzzed with excitement but also quite¡­ nervousness. Lines stretched long with eager and too-happy-to-be-here participants.

    Chen Ren scanned the faces at the desks and immediately spotted a familiar figure.

    Liu Wen, flanked by his usual colleagues, sat at the head of one of the lines. He looked as bored as ever, casually tossing a wooden token between his fingers as he processed registrations.

    Chen Ren joined the line, his gaze sweeping over the cultivators around him. He couldn¡¯t help but size them up, noting their postures, weapons, and subtle giveaways of their strength. Some exuded confidence, others carried the nervous energy of their first competition, and a few kept their expressions guarded, their intentions unreadable.

    As he waited, he glanced again at Liu Wen. The man hadn¡¯t noticed him yet, too engrossed in talking to the cultivators.

    he thought, sending a signal to Yalan while he bided his time.

    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    Chen Ren stood casually in line, his sack of potatoes resting against his shoulder. Yalan perched on his other shoulder, her amber eyes gleaming with mischief. Despite her playful demeanour, she was quietly doing what she did best¡ªanalysing the crowd.

    she whispered, her tail flicking toward a tall young man clad in leather armour.

    Chen Ren nodded slightly, letting her observations sink in.

    Yalan squinted, her sharp gaze scanning the young woman gripping the polished weapon.

    Her ability to gauge someone''s strengths and weaknesses at a glance was uncanny, and Chen Ren felt a small swell of gratitude for her presence. Without her, he wouldn''t know for sure who he needed to be at guard against.

    He smirked, passing the time with her commentary until the line finally shuffled forward enough for him to step up to the counter. Liu Wen, seated behind the desk, looked up and immediately broke into a grin.

    "Ah, Chen Ren! Didn¡¯t think I¡¯d see you here," Liu Wen said, his tone both friendly and surprised. His gaze drifted to Yalan for a moment before turning towards the sack on his shoulder. "And... what¡¯s that?"

    Chen Ren shifted the sack slightly. "Potatoes.¡±

    Liu Wen blinked. "Potatoes? What for?" He asked. ¡°And are you really entering the tournament?¡±

    "I decided to enter after seeing the rewards for the tournament," Chen Ren said, setting the sack down with a soft thud. "As for these, I plan to do something with them and sell them during the event."

    "Potatoes?" Liu Wen repeated, his brows furrowing. "You think people will buy them? I mean, your noodles are already a hit. Those would probably sell better."

    Chen Ren chuckled, knowing where he was coming from. "I¡¯m not just selling potatoes. You¡¯ll see once you¡¯re there. I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll disappoint you."

    Liu Wen leaned back in his chair, grinning. "Yeah, I¡¯m sure of it. I¡¯m already a big fan of your noodles. Whatever dish you make out of those potatoes, I¡¯ll be first in line."

    With that, he reached under the counter and pulled out a registration form, sliding it across the table toward Chen Ren. "Here you go. Fill this out. The prizes and entry fees are listed at the bottom. Make sure to double-check everything."

    Chen Ren picked up the form, his gaze flicking over the details. The structure was straightforward, with a steep entry fee of a hundred silver wen, which fortunately, he could pay without issue. Participants recommended by the Soaring Sword Sect or the City Lord''s Office were exempt from the fee.

    His mind worked quickly, already calculating the cost-benefit ratio of the entry fee compared to the rewards.

    He skimmed through the tournament rules, noting that the event would consist of five rounds, starting with a chaotic battle royale, followed by increasingly intense one-on-one duels. The schedule was gruelling, with matches running sixteen hours a day so it could finish within the allocated time. The venue¡ªa grand arena in the upper streets.

    Then his eyes fell on the rewards, neatly outlined in a bold, eye-catching box:

    ¡ª

    The Grand Cloud Mist City Tournament: Tournament Rewards!

    Top 8:

    FIVE spirit stonesTHREE pills ONE weapon

    Top 4:

    TEN spirit stones FIVE pillsRare herbs for Alchemy ONE weapon of choice (crafted by the Soaring Sword Sect¡¯s blacksmith)

    Runner up:

    TWENTY-FIVE Spirit Stones  TEN Pills  Rare Herbs for Alchemy  ONE Cultivation Manual of Choice (from the Soaring Sword Sect) Inner Disciple Status in Soaring Sword Sect

    Winner:

    FIFTY Spirit Stones TWENTY Pills Rare Herbs and Beast Essence ONE Cultivation Manual of Choice ONE Weapon of Choice (crafted by the Soaring Sword Sect¡¯s blacksmith) A Large Plot of Land (near a nearby village) Core Elder Discipleship in Soaring Sword Sect

    Chen Ren''s lips curled into a small smile as he read the list. He sent a mental message to Yalan.

    Yalan¡¯s voice chimed back in his mind, dripping with doubt.

    Chen Ren¡¯s smile didn¡¯t falter.

    The feline spirit hummed thoughtfully.

    Chen Ren chuckled.

    Chen Ren moved to the counter, picked up the form, and began writing down his details. As he wrote, the hum of the crowd behind him suddenly quieted, replaced by a loud, arrogant voice.

    "Hey! Get out of the way! The young master of the Cang Clan is here to register! Clear the path, or face the consequences!"

    Chen Ren turned his head, his quill pausing mid-stroke. A scrawny man stood pointing a trembling finger at him, his expression twisted with self-importance. Behind him stood the supposed "young master"¡ªa cultivator whose aura screamed peak body forging realm. His tailored outfit exuded wealth, and his long, flowing purple hair stood out from everyone within the vicinity.

    Chen Ren¡¯s brows arched slightly.

    He knew that martial techniques could have those side effects and as a reason, cultivators often had a variety of coloured hair.

    "Sorry," Chen Ren said calmly, turning back to his form. "I¡¯m registering right now. If you want to register, you¡¯ll need to wait at the back of the line like everyone else."

    The atmosphere grew tense immediately.

    Chen Ren saw Liu Wen¡¯s gaze drop nervously to the desk as whispers rippled through the room. He looked back. The scrawny man looked stunned, his finger frozen mid-point. Then, his face turned beet red.

    "Didn¡¯t you hear me? The young master Cang Rui is here!" the servant barked. "Give him face, or you¡¯ll regret it!"

    Chen Ren, shifting his focus back on his form, replied evenly, "What can he do?"

    Before the servant could respond, the young master strode forward. Hearing the loud thuds of footwork, Chen Ren looked up.

    Cang Rui''s eyes glinted dangerously as he sized Chen Ren up. His hands placed on his hips as if he was ready to launch into an attack.

    "Are you doubting my ability to do something to you?" he asked, his voice reverberating through the room. "Who are you, even?"

    "Chen Ren," he replied without any hesitation.

    Cang Rui''s narrowed eyes lit up with recognition in an instant. The young master''s lips curled into a sneer. "Ah, Chen Ren. The one working with Tang Yuqiu in that little perfume business." His voice carried a dismissive tone. "I¡¯ve heard of you¡ªbriefly. I never expected you¡¯d be so brazen. If you¡¯re trying to run a business, you should know better than to go against the interests of the major clans."

    Chen Ren¡¯s expression remained neutral as he straightened, folding his arms. "I¡¯m not going against the Cang Clan. Or even you. I¡¯m just pointing out that you simply need to wait in line for your turn to register, and if you can¡¯t even understand such a common sense, I doubt you¡¯ll amount to anything."

    The words hit like a slap, the room falling deathly silent as every gaze locked on the young master. His aura flared, his face twisting in rage.

    "You dare insult me?!" he snarled, his voice echoing through the chamber. "You won¡¯t get out of here alive!"

    Without warning, he lashed out, his fist surging forward with a burst of wind, the pressure sharp enough to rustle the papers on Liu Wen¡¯s desk. The sheer force of the strike made the weaker cultivators in the room step back instinctively.

    But Chen Ren didn¡¯t flinch. His eyes locked onto the incoming punch, calmly stepping aside as the strike barely grazed his robes. The young master¡¯s power wavered, the energy dissipating mid-strike as his overzealous attack faltered.

    The room erupted in murmurs, astonishment flashing across the onlookers¡¯ faces. Chen Ren¡¯s calm composure contrasted sharply with the young master¡¯s now-frustrated expression.

    "Is that it? You¡¯ll have to do better than that if you plan to keep your threats."

    Cang Rui stared at his fist in disbelief, then glanced around the room. His entire face twisted into an ugly angry face as he barked, "What just happened? Why didn''t my attack work?"

    Chen Ren shook his head and looked around."There are arrays around here," he explained calmly. "This is the city lord¡¯s office. They block any technique that uses even a bit of qi. You won''t be able to fight here, no matter how hard you try."

    That earned him another life-threatening glare from Cang Rui, his jaw tightening. "I don¡¯t need qi to deal with someone like you!" he spat, taking a step forward.

    Chen Ren raised an eyebrow, as he ¡®tsked¡¯ disappointedly.

    "You really are an idiot, aren¡¯t you? Do you realize where we are?" He gestured subtly around the room, the faint insignia of the city lord visible above the registration desk. "If you try anything here, it means you''re openly disrespecting the city lord¡¯s authority. The guards will come, and they won¡¯t care who your clan is. They¡¯ll drag you away in front of everyone. And with this audience..." Chen Ren tilted his head slightly toward the room full of amused onlookers. "Why sully your clan¡¯s name for nothing?"

    The young master froze, his gaze darting around. For the first time, he seemed to truly notice the growing crowd of spectators. Many of them were openly smirking or suppressing laughter. His cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and he clenched his fists tightly. Finally, he jabbed a finger at Chen Ren.

    "Fine," he snapped. "Meet me outside when you¡¯re done. Let¡¯s settle this properly!"

    Chen Ren snickered, shaking his head. "No. Once again, you fail to grasp the situation. The city is crawling with guards due to the demonic cultivator attacks and the influx of travelers for the tournament. If you try anything outside, they''ll intervene, and trust me, the consequences will be far worse than just a scolding here. You¡¯ll be dragged away like a common thug."

    He paused, letting his words sink in, then added with a touch of finality, "Don¡¯t be so stupid. Go to the back of the line and wait your turn. Let me finish my registration in peace."

    Without waiting for a response, Chen Ren turned back to his form, his quill gliding across the parchment as if the entire exchange had already been forgotten. From the corner of his eye, he saw the young master huff angrily and stomp to the back of the line, his servant trailing behind him. Cang Rui¡¯s eyes, however, never left Chen Ren, glaring daggers at him the entire way.

    Chen Ren smirked to himself, the corner of his lips curling.

    Liu Wen leaned in slightly, whispering, "Do you really have to antagonize him? He¡¯s not just some nobody. The Cang Clan is influential, and he¡¯s rumored to be one of the prospective semi finalists this year. Unlike Bai Shen, he¡¯s well-trained and has proper backing."

    Chen Ren finished the last stroke of his name and set the quill down, his smirk widening. "I didn¡¯t do anything. He got angry all on his own," he shrugged. "Besides, I don¡¯t care about angering him. In fact, I¡¯d say it¡¯s better this way."

    "Better?" Liu Wen blinked, confused. "Why?"

    Chen Ren leaned slightly against the counter, his expression turning sly. "Because I needed someone like him for my plans," he said, his voice low but confident. "Influential, hot-blooded, dumb, and easy to manipulate. He¡¯s perfect."

    Liu Wen¡¯s confusion deepened. "What kind of plans?"  S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Chen Ren chuckled, picking up his form and handing it over. "Let¡¯s just say it¡¯ll all make sense during the tournament. Like the potatoes¡ª" he patted the sack slung over his shoulder¡ª"you¡¯ll see soon enough. I promise it won¡¯t disappoint."

    Liu Wen could only shake his head, muttering, "You¡¯re either a genius or a madman."

    Chen Ren grinned. "Why not both?"

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon.

    PS - To all the authors sending me shoutout swap messages, please text me on discord. I do try to help out newbies but I don''t like the RR messaging system (RR gods don''t mind it), so please text there. My ID - beebee0162

 Chapter 44: Tricks and Rivals

    The registration process was quick and easy. Once Chen Ren was done, he turned around and headed straight to meet Tang Xiulan. He wanted to talk about their plans for the upcoming tournament.

    She had been single-handedly managing the noodle stall during his recent busy days. To his pleasant surprise, she had not only maintained their regular customer base but also managed to increase it significantly. It was mainly due to the influx of travellers in the city who¡¯d created a rush, and she had smartly capitalised on it.

    On the other hand, their partnership had grown stronger. She continued to give him daily records every night once he was free, and she even suggested ideas regarding the business.

    One idea she brought up stood out to him. She had proposed that they actually hire the street kids that had been helping them around.

    That was an interesting proposition, and initially, Chen Ren hesitated, unsure of the idea of formalising their roles. But after giving it some thought, he realised that it made sense. The kids were already involved in the business, and giving them proper jobs would keep them away from dangerous paths like theft and banditry. Even though he didn¡¯t like to admit it, the kids gave him a sense of responsibility.

    Regardless, beyond that, with the tournament drawing closer and the crowds expected to swell, he would need every available hand to maximise profits and not get overwhelmed in the process.

    Therefore, after considering the logistics, he set their wages at three silver wen a month. It was a modest sum but would suffice for their needs. And, alongside the salary, they would receive free meals.

    Chen Ren smiled at the thought. It was a fair deal for now, though he planned to increase their pay once the business expanded further. The kids would become an important part of the business''s operations, just like Xiulan, whose contributions since the beginning had proven invaluable.

    While Xiulan handled the stall and prepared for the tournament rush, Chen Ren focused his attention on his cultivation. He knew that if he wanted to make an impact in the tournament, his skills would need to be razor-sharp. His lightning techniques remained his ace, but he wasn¡¯t content to rely solely on them. So, he threw himself into learning talismans and array formations.

    Tournament rules forbade the use of pills, but talismans and arrays were permitted¡ªbut only if the competitors themselves created them. That stipulation worked in his favour, as it allowed him to lean into his growing expertise in the disciplines. Even so, the speed with which he was learning them wasn''t enough to satisfy him.

    According to Qing He, he was making decent progress and might even be talented in the disciplines, but until he learnt to apply arrays and talismans into battles, he wouldn''t be able to make full use of them.

    To circumvent that, he decided to intensify his training.

    On a crisp morning just days before the competition, Chen Ren went deep into the forest. Yalan walked behind him, keeping track of his steps. The forest was alive with the sounds of birds and rustling leaves, and the eerie feeling of the beasts who roamed inside it. But the location was perfect, no prying eyes, no one to disturb¡ªhe could simply practise his combat techniques, test the limits of his talismans and sharpen his arrays.

    Chen Ren inhaled deeply and felt the pulse of his qi as he centred himself. He was crouched low in the undergrowth while his heart thudded in his chest. He turned his head slightly as he looked at the cat behind him.

    Yalan flicked her tail lazily in a nearby branch.

    Chen Ren sighed, his gaze shifting back to the clearing ahead.

    Just beyond the underbrush, a wolf stood over a torn unrecognised carcass, its sharp fangs tearing brutally through flesh. Its dark, mottled grey coat was streaked with blood, which dripped from the raw meat it savoured. It was the sheer size of the creature¡ªtwice that of a normal wolf, with the girth of a full-grown cattle¡ªthat sent a chill down his spine, combined with the feral glint in its eyes and the blood-stained maw.

    Chen Ren wondered, his jaw tightening. This may be Yalan''s way of toughening his mental state, forcing him to confront his fears head-on. If that was her goal, it wasn¡¯t helping.

    Turning back to Yalan, he conversed through his mind,

    Yalan yawned, unbothered. she replied, her voice sounding as if it was almost mocking his fears.

    Chen Ren winced at the mention of the rhino. The memory of the terrifying beast was still a fresh wound, but Yalan¡¯s words struck a chord. Compared to that monstrous creature, this wolf seemed... manageable.

    But staying here, hidden, wouldn¡¯t do any of them any favours. He had to move forward to fight it.

    He let out a long breath, pushing the fear aside.

    He shifted his focus, replaying the lessons he¡¯d learned from the rhino fight in his mind. Then, steeling himself, he rose from his hiding spot and stepped out into the clearing.

    The duskwolf immediately snapped its head up, blood dripping from the sides of its mouth as it locked eyes with him. Its lips curled into what could only be described as a cruel smirk, as though it had just found its next meal. It leaned backwards and aimed at Chen Ren without hesitation, and leapt towards him. The snarly thing clawed the air, wanting to catch Chen Ren.

    Just then, his hand shot into his pocket, pulling out a Tier 1 fire talisman. He infused it with a spark of his lightning qi. The talisman burned with an intense black smoke, and for a fleeting moment, he felt as if his own hand was on fire¡ªa surge of energy washed through him.

    Then, nothing.

    The energy disappeared into the air without a trace. His eyes widened in horror as he realised what had just happened. ¡°Fuck!¡± he cursed, leaping to the side using [Lightning Step] just as the duskwolf¡¯s claws raked the spot where he¡¯d stood.

    Chen Ren saw the long nails scraping the dirty soil and leaving marks in its wake.

    Landing in a crouch, Chen Ren turned to see the duskwolf pivoting, its glowing eyes locked on him as it prepared for another attack. Its speed was relentless, and it was already on him before he could fully regain his footing.

    He sidestepped its swipe at the last moment, his fist snapping out in retaliation. His strike connected with the beast¡¯s flank, sending it tumbling away. The impact left a slight scorch mark on its fur from Chen Ren¡¯s lightning qi.

    The duskwolf rose again, growling, its fur now singed but the monster didn¡¯t seem to care. Chen Ren straightened, his breathing steadying as he met its gaze. ¡°Alright, you mangy mutt,¡± he muttered, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got.¡±

    Although he knew the brainless beast didn¡¯t understand his words, the duskwolf¡¯s actions spoke otherwise. It charged toward him, its claws slicing through the air and blood that was previously on its face, splattering everywhere.

    Chen Ren¡¯s pulse quickened but he didn¡¯t hesitate.

    He pulled the small pouch from his belt and sprinkled a fine white powder onto the ground in front of him, forming a circle. His hands moved quickly, reaching for the two talismans he¡¯d created earlier.

    As the duskwolf neared, he began chanting softly under his breath. His heartbeat thudded in his ears as he concentrated, praying that everything would go as planned this time. The powder on the ground turned orange as it began to burn. The scent of it rose in the air like incense.

    He looked up from the circle and saw that the angry duskwolf almost had him. But before it could reach him, it slammed into an invisible wall with a loud thud. The transparent barrier shimmered before it, crackling faintly from the impact, holding the wolf back.

    Chen Ren¡¯s face lit up with a satisfied grin. The array had worked.

    Quickly, he held one of the talismans and activated it. This time, the talisman ignited correctly, forming a fireball. He did the same with the second talisman, and two fireballs materialised in the air, their flames roaring and flickering as they hurtled toward the wolf.

    The duskwolf howled in pain as the fireballs struck its side, scorching its fur and skin. The beast stumbled back, trying desperately to retreat, but its movements were sluggish, weighed down by all the burnt marks. It could only stagger for a few moments before collapsing, its body twitching as it lay motionless in the dirt, a charred carcass.

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    Chen Ren stood there, his breath coming in heavy gasps, his chest rising and falling rapidly. He watched the remains of the duskwolf, the fireballs having done their work. As he slowly relaxed, he glanced down at the array¡¯s barrier, now cracking and fading.

    He let out a long breath. ¡°Well, that¡¯s not as good as I expected."

    Yalan emerged from the underbrush, her tail swaying in the air. She glanced at the shattered duskwolf carcass and then at the barrier¡¯s cracks. ¡°At least, unlike last time, you didn¡¯t trap yourself in the barrier and have to break it to get out.¡±

    Chen Ren gave a wry smile, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Yeah, my chant was wrong, then. This time, I messed up with the first talisman too. I¡¯m not sure if I did something wrong while burning it, or if the rune was just messed up. Probably the latter.¡± He shook his head in frustration. ¡°I need more practice with these before I can use them in the tournament.¡±

    ¡°Do you really think it¡¯ll work against cultivators?¡± she asked. ¡°You were able to kill the wolf because it was distracted by the barrier, but cultivators would have movement techniques, and your fireballs are still pretty slow.¡±

    Chen Ren exhaled through his mouth as he thought about her words. It was true. Cultivators could move at incredible speeds, and his fireballs, while effective against a distracted, brainless beast, would be likely easy to dodge in a real fight. But this was just the beginning. He still had a lot to learn and refine before he could stand toe-to-toe with skilled cultivators in the tournament.

    ¡°I¡¯ll figure something out.. I have to. I¡¯m not going to let something like speed stop me from winning this.¡±

    Chen Ren stood silently for a moment, his mind racing as he stared at the remnants of the duskwolf¡¯s carcass. His eyes drifted from the deceased beast towards Yalan who was laid next to it. Slowly, he began to form an idea in his mind, a strategy that didn¡¯t rely solely on brute force. He turned to Yalan, speaking as though he had come to a realisation.

    ¡°Actually,¡± he started by saying, a small smile already forming in his lips. ¡°I¡¯m not going to use arrays or talismans necessarily for direct attacks. They¡¯ll be more like distractions.¡±

    ¡°Distractions?¡±

    Chen Ren nodded, glancing down at the white powder that was still scattered on the ground. He gathered the remaining powder into a small pouch. Unlike talismans, which could be prepared ahead of time, arrays required specific materials, precise placements, and proper chants to activate. They were more like rituals, complicated and needing extra caution.

    The tier-1 arrays, at least, were straightforward. They only needed the powder, a bit of qi from the air, and a chant. But even that was tricky. He had to position the powder just right for the array to function, and even the slightest disturbance could ruin everything. Chen Ren didn¡¯t fully understand how they worked, but that didn¡¯t bother him much. What mattered to him were the results.

    Till now, he¡¯d only been able to study barrier arrays.

    Although he had made progress in talismans, he knew he needed to learn more about how to use them¡­

    Yalan had talked about it a lot, but battles weren¡¯t really time-consuming. He also had experiences in the fights he¡¯d taken part in. A well-paced strike or a clever use of resources could decide the outcome in just a few moves. Especially against weak cultivators. And that¡¯s why he needed to focus on innovation.

    He had to find a way to break through any challenge that he might face during the tournament using more than just the expected techniques.

    As Chen Ren continued to ponder his strategies, his gaze shifted to Yalan, who was casually swiping at the air with her claws to kill a bug that had been bothering her. She did it fluidly and effortlessly, her eyes momentarily gleaming before returning to their usual calm. It was a sight that momentarily distracted him, but then something clicked in his mind.

    "Hey, Yalan," he asked, his eyes squinted as his curiosity got the best of him. "Don''t you know a lot of techniques?"

    Yalan tilted her head slightly, her gaze meeting his as she replied nonchalantly, "Yes, but I don''t know any lightning techniques. As you know, the element I mostly deal with is fire."

    Chen Ren nodded, already knowing about her fire affinity, but a thought sparked in his mind. "But don''t you have other techniques that don''t require a fire affinity?"

    Yalan paused for a moment, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. She fluttered her tail irritatedly. "I do, but they aren''t easy to learn, nor would you be able to master them in such a short time before the tournament. Most of the techniques I know are quite advanced."

    Chen Ren smiled, the excitement in his eyes clear. "That''s okay. I can take it easy with the martial techniques, but I would like you to teach me a small trick before the tournament."

    ***

    Li Xuan''s sword cut through the air, the blade loudly striking the massive, ancient tree. Each hit sent splinters of lightning into the branches, yet the tree stood firm, barely even dented. Sweat beaded on his brow, but he didn''t stop, swinging his blade again and again.

    With every strike, his mind focused inward, tracing the steps of his martial dao, the path of the sword.  sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Every cut had to be precise, every movement had to have exact intent. If there was no reason behind the strike, then it was nothing but aimless flailing, a waste of energy. The strikes needed purpose. They needed to be driven by the desire to cut through everything in their path. This was the essence of the first art of the Seven Sword Arts¡ª One Slash Strike!

    He had been working tirelessly toward mastering it, trying to use every movement with clarity. To know and face anyone or anything that¡¯d come across him and his sword. It wasn¡¯t easy, but he pushed himself forward.

    His sword rang out as it struck the bark again. The tree¡¯s wood cracked slightly, but it did not give. Li Xuan''s jaw tightened, frustration bubbling up.

    He had to push past this barrier. He had to make this tree fall.

    Then, a shout interrupted his rhythm, cutting through the tension of the moment.

    "Senior Li Xuan, you have been called by master!"

    Li Xuan¡¯s blade froze mid-swing. With a deep breath, he stepped back, sheath in hand, and turned to see one of his fellow disciples standing a few feet away. He nodded and placed the sword across his back, straightening his posture.

    "Alright," Li Xuan said.

    He moved through the familiar corridors of the Soaring Sword Sect''s training grounds. The path to his master¡¯s room felt heavy, knowing there was always something behind his words¡ªan intent, a goal, a lesson, and most of the time, a sense of superiority. His master¡¯s presence always made the disciples feel small, not only because of his vast knowledge and experience but also because of the high expectations he set for his favourite disciples.

    Though, he prided himself in overcoming each one of his expectations.

    When he reached his master¡¯s chambers, he paused to bow, lowering his head in deference. ¡°Master Xiaosheng, you called for me.¡±

    Master Xiaosheng, one of the core elders of the sect, sat in a chair, his robes flowing elegantly around him. His eyes were sharp as he looked at Li Xuan, trailing his eyes down the tall frame. His presence was as commanding as ever, his cultivation level firmly rooted in the core formation stage. His long, silvery beard swayed slightly as he breathed deeply.

    ¡°Ah, Li Xuan, you are here. I¡¯ve heard of your request to go back to Cloud Mist City to participate in the city tournament. I¡¯m allowing you to go, but I want you to promise me something.¡±

    Li Xuan straightened, concerned, flickering in his eyes, but he kept his voice steady. ¡°What is it, master?¡±

    Master Xiaosheng''s gaze hardened, his eyes narrowing as he stroked his beard, slowly. ¡°Win it. You are a core disciple of mine, Li Xuan. If you lose, it will bring shame to both me and the sect. I am only allowing you to interact with the mortal world because you have shown great progress in your cultivation. Otherwise, you would have remained isolated until you entered the foundation establishment realm. You know that we cultivators must remind the mortal population that we are above them.¡±

    Li Xuan winced, the weight of his master¡¯s words sinking in. The sect¡¯s disdain for the mortal world and their belief in their superiority was something he had grown accustomed to, though it still stung. He lowered his head respectfully. ¡°I understand, master. I will make sure to win.¡±

    Master Xiaosheng nodded approvingly, but his expression remained stern. ¡°Good. Also, there is something else.¡±

    ¡°Yes, master?¡±

    ¡°A demonic cultivator has recently been on the rise in the city. While it is unlikely you will cross paths with him, if you do, I want you to kill him and bring his head back here. A mere demonic cultivator should be easy for you to handle, and it will curry favor with the sect leader.¡±

    Li Xuan¡¯s eyes hardened, a cold flicker of recognition crossing his gaze. The idea of dealing with a demonic cultivator wasn¡¯t a new one. Such threats were often dealt swiftly within the sect, but he understood that this wasn¡¯t just a matter of duty¡ªit was an opportunity to show his worth.

    Although his master had talked about it casually, he knew that he only did so because he wanted Li Xuan to kill the demonic cultivator. Speaking straight to the point wasn''t his master''s way of doing things and he had gotten used to it during his time in the sect.

    But, some questions arose in his mind when he thought about the demonic cultivator.

    Li Xuan hesitated for a moment, then looked up at his master.

    "How will I find him, master?"

    Master Xiaosheng scoffed, his expression hardening. The corner of his lips turned upwards as his hands flew into the air. "You can figure that out yourself," he said with disdain. "Do I have to tell you everything? You have a brain of your own, so use it."

    Li Xuan immediately nodded, and bowed again. ¡°Will do, master. I will find that demonic cultivator and bring the head back here.¡±

    When he lifted his head up, Master Xiaosheng waved his hand dismissively, signalling the end of the conversation. "Now go. It will take time for you to reach the city.¡± Li Xuan nodded, but the next part of his words made him wince. ¡°And remember to stay away from mortals... Even if your mother is one.¡±

    Li Xuan barely held back a frown from covering his face. He couldn¡¯t help but let the bitter feeling of those words sting his throat. He flinched at the tone and the intent, his grip tightening around the hem of his robes.

    His mother, a mortal. That reminder never failed to sting. To him, it was not a big deal, but for his master, it only meant that half of his blood was dirty, having barely any worth.

    His heart felt heavy. He wanted to talk against his master and reveal his true feelings about the matter, but he simply nodded obediently.

    ¡°Yes, master,¡± Li Xuan said.

    With that, he turned and exited the room, the weight of the conversation settling on his shoulders. His footsteps were heavy as he moved through the familiar halls of the sect. The path ahead was clear but difficult. He had to participate in the tournament, face whatever challenges it brought, and, in the meantime, figure out the whereabouts of the demonic cultivator his master wanted him to eliminate.

    But that didn¡¯t stop the last words of his master from bothering him. Instead of heading straight for the exit, Li Xuan found himself walking back toward the tree where he had been practising earlier.

    The ancient tree still stood, its bark unharmed by his previous attempts.

    ¡°My mother being a mortal doesn''t mean she''s lowly or dirty,¡± he muttered, picking up his sword and continuing his spar with the tree. ¡°I will prove you wrong. I will prove everyone wrong.¡±

    Training always made his head weigh less and his thoughts numb¡ªwhich was exactly what he needed after talking to Master Xiaosheng.

    ***

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 Chapter 45: Young master manipulation (1)

    Chen Ren kept himself busy, splitting his time between training, learning new techniques, and working on the food he planned to sell during the tournament. Similarly, the city was too lively with activity. Merchants, cultivators, and spectators were eager for the upcoming grand event. He had already secured permission to set up a temporary noodle stall outside the arena, but he wanted to do more. He wanted to get his food inside the arena too.

    The problem was noodles. They were best eaten fresh and hot, and he couldn¡¯t guarantee that in the chaos of the tournament.

    So, he had turned his thoughts to other kinds of food¡ªsomething portable, quick to eat, and still delicious, addictive even. And after days of thinking and experimenting, he came up with a few ideas. Now, he was working on one of them.

    The kitchen of the Tang Clan compound was quiet except for the soft scrape of a knife against potato skins. Chen Ren sat on a low stool, peeling potatoes and tossing the smooth tubers into a nearby bowl of water. Beside him, Lihua, one of the maids, helped him. Her hands moved a little slower than his as she tried to keep up, but she worked with determination.

    Chen Ren¡¯s thoughts wandered as he peeled, planning his next steps. His schedule was packed tight, and he started feeling the strain. With Xiulan managing the noodle stall, the extra work of preparing the new food items for the tournament fell on him. "I really need more help," he muttered under his breath.

    Lihua looked up at him, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Did you say something, Young Master Chen?"

    "Just talking to myself," he replied with a small smile, focusing back on his task.

    Their eyes met briefly before Lihua quickly glanced away, her face turning redder as she returned to peeling. Chen Ren couldn¡¯t help but feel a little awkward.

    He understood why she acted that way, and it wasn¡¯t his fault. Like with most of his problems, it was the fault of his predecessor who had been a hedonistic bastard with no self-control and a habit of saying sweet things to women without meaning them. Lihua had taken those words to heart, and now he was left to deal with the very awkward aftermath.

    Still, her help was appreciated.

    As the pile of peeled potatoes grew, he planned to dry these and then fry them into crisp, golden chips and season them with spices. If everything pans out as he expected, he¡¯d have the perfect snack for the tournament¡ªeasy to carry, quick to eat and tasty even after sitting for a while.

    The work was simple but time-consuming, and Chen Ren couldn¡¯t stop thinking about how much he needed to expand his team. Lihua¡¯s occasional glances and shy smiles were a distraction he didn¡¯t need, but he let it slide.

    For now, he set his thoughts aside and focused on the task at hand. He picked up a peeled potato, slicing it into thin, even strips. Lihua followed his lead, her knife moving with a bit more hesitation but improving with every slice. Once they had a decent pile of slices, they placed them into a large bowl of cold water. The water became cloudy from the starch, but it was all part of the process.

    They worked in silence for a while. Finally, Lihua broke the quiet. ¡°Young Master Chen Ren, what exactly are we making?¡±

    Chen Ren glanced up from his work, meeting her wide-eyed gaze. ¡°Chips,¡± he said simply. ¡°It¡¯s a dish I used to eat when I was a child. They¡¯re easy to make, and since potatoes are cheap, we can prepare a lot of them. I¡¯m trying to make these for the tournament.¡±

    Lihua tilted her head, confused. ¡°Chips? I¡¯ve never heard of them. What do they taste like?¡±

    ¡°Crunchy,¡± Chen Ren replied with a small smile. ¡°And if we do this right, they¡¯ll be perfectly salty and addictive.¡±

    Lihua nodded, her curiosity still evident, but she didn¡¯t ask any more questions. Instead, they went back to work, slicing more potatoes and soaking the slices in the cold water. The pile of peeled potatoes steadily shrank, while the bowl of soaking slices grew.

    Once the last batch of slices was submerged in the water, Chen Ren stood, stretching his stiff shoulders. It was time for the next step.

    He moved over to the outdoor cooking area he had set up in the Tang Clan courtyard, the same spot where he had perfected his noodles. The large pot of oil was already heated, the surface shimmering with a faint haze from the fire beneath.

    As he carefully lowered the first batch of potato slices into the hot oil, the area filled with the sharp sizzle of frying. Chen Ren watched the bubbling oil, his thoughts drifting for a moment.

    This spot held so many memories¡ªhis first noodle experiments, the crowd of servants lining up for bowls of his food, and even Xiulan¡¯s very sceptical gaze when he first started this journey. From that small beginning, he had come a long way. He now had multiple businesses and had made significant progress in his cultivation. It was hard to believe how much had changed in such a short time.

    Chen Ren couldn¡¯t help but think.

    The golden potato slices floated to the surface, their edges curling slightly as they fried. Slowly, they began to crisp and brown, the rich aroma of fried potatoes filling the air.

    Lihua watched the entire process with wide eyes, her knife forgotten in her hand. ¡°So this is how they¡¯re made,¡± she murmured in wonder, leaning slightly closer to get a better look.

    Chen Ren nodded, using a slotted spoon to stir the slices gently. ¡°This is just the first batch. Once they¡¯re done, we¡¯ll sprinkle some salt on them and let them cool. After that, you can taste them for yourself.¡±

    Lihua¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement, and Chen Ren chuckled softly at her enthusiasm. From there, the seconds flew quickly.

    After a few minutes of frying, Chen Ren nodded toward the sizzling pot. ¡°Alright, Lihua, take them out.¡±

    Lihua quickly stepped forward, using a slotted spoon to scoop up the golden chips. She placed them carefully on a plate lined with large leaves to drain the excess oil. The crisp slices glistened under the sunlight streaming into the courtyard.

    Chen Ren crouched down to inspect them. The chips were a mix of light and golden brown, their edges slightly curled and their surfaces freckled with tiny bubbles from the frying. Then, he picked up one and held it in his hand, admiring the texture. ¡°I think they¡¯re ready,¡± he said after a moment. Then he glanced at Lihua, offering her a small smile. ¡°Do you want to try one?¡±

    Her eyes lit up as she nodded. ¡°Yes, Young Master!¡±

    Chen Ren handed her one of the chips before taking one for himself. As he bit into it, the loud crunch filled his ears, and he took a moment to savour the taste. The flavour was simple¡ªjust the natural starchiness of the potato, lightly enhanced by the frying and the salt. He couldn¡¯t help but think about the chips he used to eat back in his old life, mass-produced and coated with seasonings. These were nowhere near that level of flavor. But then again, those comparisons were unfair.

    On the other hand, Lihua seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself. Her expression brightened as she munched, a satisfied hum escaping her lips. Once she finished, she instinctively reached out for another one but froze when she noticed Chen Ren watching her. Her hand hovered awkwardly mid-air, and she quickly pulled it back, her cheeks turning red. ¡°S-Sorry, Young Master! I didn¡¯t mean to¡ª¡±

    Chen Ren chuckled lightly and waved her off. ¡°Go ahead, you can eat more.¡±

    Her face lit up with gratitude. ¡°Thank you!¡± she said, popping another chip into her mouth with an excited crunch. After finishing that one, she looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. ¡°These are so good! I¡¯ve never eaten anything so crunchy before.¡± She paused thoughtfully, then added, ¡°Though, I think they might taste even better with a bit of salt.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded in agreement. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll sprinkle some on the final batch before serving them. That¡¯ll bring out the flavour more.¡±

    Lihua smiled at his response and glanced back at the plate of chips. ¡°I believe these will sell even better than the noodles! But, Young Master, there¡¯s one thing I don¡¯t understand. Why did you ask Xiulan to bring so much milk two days ago? I don¡¯t see how milk is used for chips.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not for the chips,¡± he opened his mouth, about to explain that the milk wasn¡¯t for the chips, but the sound of approaching footsteps drew his attention. He turned around just as Tang Yuqiu entered the area where they were preparing the food.  Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Her eyes swept across the space, taking in the peeled onions and other scattered ingredients before landing on the plate of golden chips resting on the table.

    ¡°What are those?¡±

    ¡°Chips,¡± Chen Ren replied, motioning toward the plate. ¡°I¡¯m making them to sell at the tournament. Do you want to try one?¡± he asked. The more opinions, the better.

    Yuqiu nodded, and so did Lihua, her appetite still not quenched. Chen Ren offered each of them a chip, and they both bit into their pieces at the same time.

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    The courtyard was soon filled with the sound of satisfying crunches.

    ¡°These are so crunchy!¡± Yuqiu exclaimed, her eyes widening. ¡°It¡¯s simple, but it¡¯s good.¡±

    Lihua, still nibbling on her third chip, chimed in, ¡°I told the young master that they¡¯d taste even better with a little salt. What do you think, Young Miss Yuqiu?¡±

    Tang Yuqiu nodded thoughtfully. ¡°Salt would definitely enhance the flavor. These could be really popular during the tournament.¡±

    As they enjoyed the chips, Chen Ren glanced at Yuqiu. ¡°What are you doing here, anyway?¡±

    She leaned against the wall, brushing a strand of hair from her damp forehead. ¡°I heard you were working on something in the kitchen, so I came to check it out. Honestly, I¡¯ve been cooped up in the perfume shop for days now, and I needed a break.¡± She sighed, wiping her brow again. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s so hot outside. We¡¯re at the end of summer, but it just doesn¡¯t want to leave. I¡¯ve been sweating like crazy these days.¡±

    She looked up at the sky and Chen Ren followed her gaze. Only a few clouds dotted the sky and the heat of the sun bore down on them. Even if he was a cultivator with a body more resistant to elements, he still sweated. Not to mention about mortals who had it much worse.

    Hence, he had also planned something to alleviate the heat.

    Chen Ren smiled as he decided to test out the other item on the menu he was going to unveil at the tournament. Turning to Tang Yuqiu, he said, ¡°I think I might have something that will help with the heat.¡±

    Yuqiu looked down at the chips in her hand, her brows furrowing. ¡°You mean from these chips? They¡¯re crunchy, sure, but you¡¯re right. They¡¯re also hot, and they¡¯re making me sweat even more.¡±

    Chen Ren shook his head, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. ¡°Not the chips. Come with me.¡±

    He grabbed a bowl and a spoon from the table, gesturing for them to follow him. Lihua, still curious, trailed behind alongside Yuqiu as they moved through the Tang Clan compound to another room.

    When Chen Ren opened the door, a rush of icy air spilled out, making all three of them shiver. Yuqiu instinctively rubbed her arms. ¡°Why is it so cold in here?¡± she asked, her voice almost trembling.

    ¡°I set up [Frost Arrays] in this room,¡± Chen Ren explained. ¡°With some help from Senior Qing, I modified them to keep the temperature extremely low¡ªaround minus 18 degrees celsius. It¡¯s the perfect temperature for storing what I¡¯m about to show you.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu blinked, confused. ¡°Celsius? What¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°Just think of it as very cold,¡± Chen Ren replied, laughing.

    Yuqiu glanced at the frosty air swirling in the room. ¡°If your grand solution to beat the heat is to sit in here, let me tell you¡ªI¡¯ll freeze to death instead. It¡¯s going from one extreme to the other!¡±

    Chen Ren shook his head again, stepping inside. ¡°Not quite. Take a look.¡±

    Both women hesitated for a moment, then followed him in, curiosity outweighing their discomfort. The temperature dropped further as they entered the room, their breaths turning visible in the chilled air. Chen Ren walked over to a table in the corner, where several containers were carefully arranged.

    ¡°Now,¡± he said, holding it up for them to see, ¡°this is what I wanted to showyou.¡±

    Chen Ren gestured toward a large container nestled in the corner of the frosty room. He carefully opened the lid, revealing a smooth, creamy mixture inside. Using the bowl and spoon, he scooped out a generous serving of a substance and handed it to Yuqiu.

    ¡°It''s called an ice cream,¡± he explained, looking at the replication of his childhood''s favourite snack.

    The ice cream glistened faintly in the cold air, but it wasn''t the plain white or cream colour he had expected. It was a vibrant orange. The result had came due to the fruit pulp he had added from a common forest fruit called flameberry, known for its bright color and intense sweetness.

    Tang Yuqiu frowned slightly as she examined the ice cream. ¡°What is this?¡±

    ¡°Ice cream, I told you,¡± Chen Ren said.

    ¡°Ice cream?¡± she echoed, tilting her head. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of it.¡±

    Chen Ren smirked. ¡°You¡¯d never heard of noodles or chips before either, but you tried them and liked them. Go on, take a bite.¡±

    Hesitating for only a moment, Yuqiu took a small spoonful. The moment the cold treat touched her tongue, her eyes widened in pure surprise. ¡°It¡¯s so cold!¡± she exclaimed, then paused, savouring the sweetness and refreshing sensation. ¡°But it¡¯s so sweet and smooth. It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s¡­ amazing!¡±

    Without waiting for further encouragement, she eagerly dug in, as though the ice cream might disappear if she didn¡¯t eat fast enough. Lihua watched her with growing curiosity, her hunger plain on her face.

    Noticing the maid¡¯s expression, Chen Ren smiled and scooped out another serving for her. Lihua accepted it with a grateful bow and tasted it. Her reaction mirrored Yuqiu¡¯s, eyes lighting up with delight. ¡°It¡¯s incredible, young master! So refreshing. I¡¯ve never tasted anything like this before.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded, pleased with their reactions. ¡°I thought so too. With the heat as bad as it is, this would sell incredibly well. But¡­¡± He frowned slightly, considering the logistics. ¡°It¡¯s not easy to make. Milk, sugar, and the fruit pulp all cost quite a bit. While the results are great, I¡¯d need to target wealthier customers to make a profit. Plus, producing it on a large scale would be tricky, even with the [Frost Arrays] doing half the work for free.¡±

    Yuqiu, still savoring her ice cream, looked at him with a mischievous glint in her eye. ¡°I believe you¡¯ll make a killing at the tournament. In fact, I¡¯m almost starting to regret not investing in this sooner.¡± She paused, then grinned. ¡°Can I still invest? Please?¡± She gave him her best puppy-dog eyes, leaning closer in mock pleading.

    Chen Ren laughed and shook his head. ¡°No, you should stick to the perfume business. That¡¯s where your talent lies.¡±

    ¡°But if you want to make some quick money,¡± he added with a teasing smirk, ¡°I have a way for you.¡±

    Intrigued, Yuqiu leaned forward. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±

    Chen Ren leaned in slightly, lowering his voice for dramatic effect. ¡°The betting markets open tomorrow. Bet on me in the tournament. Just close your eyes, take the risk, and I promise you¡¯ll walk away with a nice profit.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re awfully confident, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Chen Ren shrugged. ¡°Let¡¯s just say I know my odds. And I have enough plans up my sleeve.¡±

    ***

    The sun hung high in the sky, its rays beating down on the arena grounds where the tournament was set to take place in just a few hours.

    A massive crowd had already gathered, buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Naturally, most of them gravitated toward the numerous stalls lining the streets outside the arena, each offering a variety of enticing goods.

    Among the chaos, Chen Ren stood by his own noodle stall, his arms crossed as he observed the scene. The air was filled with the tantalizing aroma of freshly cooked noodles, drawing long lines of eager customers. Beside him, Xiulan worked efficiently, managing the orders with the same sharpness she had when she first started helping him. The street kids, who had become an essential part of the stall¡¯s operation, darted about with bowls of steaming noodles, handing them out to customers and collecting coins in return.

    Chen Ren''s gaze roamed over the crowd, taking in the energy and the faces¡ªboth familiar and new. His eyes briefly stopped at Old Man Tian, whose stall was right next to theirs. The old vendor seemed to be doing brisk business, his gruff demeanor softened just slightly as he barked at the customers, urging them to try his skewers.

    But then, Chen Ren''s attention shifted, catching sight of someone unexpected in the sea of people. It was ¡ªthe unusual beggar girl.

    The girl who had once been nothing more than a shadow in the streets. She moved with surprising grace, between the kids, handing out bowls of noodles and collecting payments like she''d been part of the team for years. Her clothes were still plain but noticeably cleaner, and her face¡ªthough still thin¡ªhad a certain light that wasn¡¯t there before.

    Chen Ren''s thoughts briefly wandered back to their first meeting, when he¡¯d handed her food out of pity and later seen her courage in the fight with the blood snakes. It was hard to reconcile that girl with the one now working confidently among the children, with a deep focus, even though the entire area was buzzing with activity.

    As he continued to watch the girl, Tang Xiulan approached him, her hands carefully balancing at least five to ten bowls. She placed them on the table beside them and followed his trail.

    ¡°She¡¯s diligent,¡± she said, folding her arms. ¡°Her name¡¯s Anji. She asked to help out because she didn¡¯t want to keep taking free noodles. She¡¯s been doing bits and pieces here and there since then. And knowing we¡¯d need more hands with the tournament, I asked if she¡¯d work for three meals a day. She agreed without hesitation.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded approvingly. ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± he said.

    His gaze drifted back to Anji. She was quick on her feet, balancing a tray with ease as she delivered bowls of noodles. At one point, she turned back toward him, just for a fleeting second, and their eyes met.

    A strange sensation coursed through Chen Ren, like a faint shiver running up his spine. He felt it through his backbone and towards where the hairs behind his neck rose. Chen Ren squinted his eyes and kept staring at her.

    There was something about her¡ªa quiet intensity in her gaze that felt out of place, almost too sharp for someone her age. It left him unsettled, though he couldn¡¯t say why.

    Before he could dwell on it, Tang Xiulan tugged his attention back to her. ¡°By the way,¡± she said casually, ¡°I put all my money on you, Young Master Chen. Just like you said. The odds are twenty times more.¡±

    Chen Ren smiled, the unease fading as quickly as it had come. ¡°Good. That¡¯ll be a nice pile of silver once I win.¡±

    ¡°You sound confident.¡±

    ¡°I have to be,¡± Chen Ren replied. ¡°Did you send one of the kids to find Cang Rui?¡±

    She nodded. ¡°Yes. I got one of them to quietly slip word to his servants about where you are. But are you sure about this? From what you¡¯ve told me, he feels insulted by you. If he shows up, it won¡¯t be for tea and conversation.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what I want. This isn¡¯t just about noodles and bets. I need a spectacle. Something that¡¯ll make people talk. Don¡¯t worry¡ªjust watch and follow the plan.¡±

    Xiulan gave him a long look, then nodded. ¡°Alright. But if this goes sideways, I will go call the guards. They would stop any fight from breaking out.¡±

    Chen Ren chuckled softly, but before he could respond, movement at the edge of the crowd caught his attention. Not just his¡ªbut also garnered the attention of everyone who was in the vicinity. A group of people pushed their way toward the stalls. At the centre of it all was the purple-haired young master¡ªCang Rui.

    He walked as if he owned the roads with large strides. His fine robes swayed with every step and people made space for him. His face was lit with amusement, even his eyes were wrinkled up with the feigned smile he put up. Flanking him were his servants, and behind them were a few other rich-looking young masters.

    They all carried an annoying smirk that seemed to be plastered to their faces.

    Chen Ren straightened, a slow grin spreading across his face. ¡°My plan begins,¡± he murmured to himself.

    Finally, Cang Rui¡¯s gaze swept over the stalls, his eyes narrowing slightly as they landed on Chen Ren. He whispered something to one of the young masters at his side, and they all laughed.

    Xiulan stiffened beside him. ¡°He brought an audience,¡± she muttered.

    Chen Ren nodded. ¡°The more, the better. Let the spectacle unfold.¡±

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon.

 Chapter 46: Young master manipulation (2)

    The narrow gaze twisted into one of the ugliest glares Chen Ren had ever seen. The young master¡¯s nose flared, but he tried to lighten the mood by saying whatever useless thing he had to say and laughing it off with his lackeys. A group of five men, two as tall as the Tang manor¡¯s ceilings and three of the same height as Cang Rui. All of them were well-groomed men who screamed wealth.

    Cang Rui¡¯s lips curled into a sneer as he leaned towards the men surrounding him and made them laugh. His voice loud enough to prick the attention of the gathering crowd.

    They smirked at those who glanced their way, enjoying the whispers that had started to stir due to their presence. Clearly, they enjoyed the attention. Chen Ren remained passive, with his eyes locked onto Cang Rui without betraying any emotion he felt for the troupe.

    They continued to walk towards him, and as they did, the crowd in the area shifted like wheat in the wind. People nudged one another, started whispering, and began to part, clearing a path for the approaching group. Some pointed toward Cang Rui, their eyes lighting up with recognition, while others simply stepped aside with wary glances. All the while, their murmurs grew louder and louder.

    Not only Chen Ren¡¯s face but also his stance didn¡¯t change one bit. He stood calmly behind the stall, his gaze steady as it followed Cang Rui¡¯s approach. He didn¡¯t move, didn¡¯t speak. His hands rested lightly on the counter, the faint aroma of freshly cooked noodles wafting from the steaming bowls beside him.

    Cang Rui came to a stop a few paces away, his chest heaving as if the walk had fueled his anger further. But the previous laughter he¡¯d feigned was nowhere to be seen. Without wasting a second, he jabbed a finger at Chen Ren.

    ¡°Chen Ren! There you are, you coward!¡±

    The crowd stilled. Even the clinking of coins and the sizzling of nearby food stalls seemed to pause, leaving only the echo of his words hanging in the air. Chen Ren knew it was just his imagination since everything around him still operated as usual. But the feeling of impending danger, nonetheless, was there.

    He tilted his head slightly.

    ¡°How exactly am I a coward?¡± he asked, his voice calm as if he were asking about the weather.

    ¡°You ran away from my challenge back at the city lord¡¯s office!¡± Cang Rui snapped, his finger shaking with fury. ¡°Only a coward would do that! You insulted me and now you fear my wrath!¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips twitched, almost forming a smile, but he suppressed it. he thought, his mind briefly amused by the theatrics before returning to the present.

    He straightened slightly and met Cang Rui¡¯s furious glare. ¡°Now, let¡¯s not twist the story,¡± Chen Ren said evenly. ¡°All I did was ask you to respect some boundaries and wait for your turn. You, on the other hand, couldn¡¯t handle not getting your way and decided to lash out. Then you attacked me. You should count yourself lucky I didn¡¯t take personally.¡±

    Chen Ren motioned toward his stall with a small shrug. ¡°Now, if you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯m busy here. Go yell at someone else.¡±

    With that, Chen Ren pretended to turn, but he couldn¡¯t help but wait for his response. The crowd, however, started whispering once again. Their attention was now fully locked on the exchange. Some chuckled under their breath, while others looked more invested than even the tournament which was about to begin. A man holding a bowl of noodles slurped loudly beside Chen Ren, the sound somehow adding even more¡­ dramatic cue to the tension.

    Cang Rui¡¯s face darkened further, his hand clenching into a ball at his side. He opened his mouth, but no words came out at first. His eyes swept over the gathered crowd, their curious and entertained faces fueling the fire in his chest.

    ¡°You¡ª!¡± He began again, his voice trembling with fury, but his words faltered as the crowd continued to watch, some even grinning as if they were watching a street play.

    Finally, Cang Rui¡¯s sneer sharpened. ¡°Your words are as cloutless as your businesses, Chen Ren. You aren¡¯t even in the qi refinement realm, yet you keep courting trouble as if you belong among us.¡±

    Chen Ren met his glare without flinching. ¡°Funny, considering you¡¯re the one who came looking for me.¡±

    For a moment, a flicker of energy danced on Cang Rui¡¯s palm, the faint glow of a cultivator¡¯s intent shimmering in the air between them. Chen Ren¡¯s sharp gaze caught it, his body instinctively tensing for a split second. But before the energy could manifest into an attack, one of Cang Rui¡¯s companions stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder.

    ¡°Young Master Cang,¡± the man said smoothly, ¡°there¡¯s no need to waste your energy on a battle of words with this fool. Everyone knows that you¡¯ll hand over his ass back to him by the end of the tournament.¡±

    The words that were said aloud replaced the fury on his face with a cruel smile. He nodded, seemingly placated by the words. Then, with a sharp glance back at Chen Ren, he spoke again, his voice raised to command the crowd¡¯s attention.

    ¡°You heard him, Chen Ren. I¡¯m here to publicly challenge you in the tournament. There will be no running, no excuses, and no backing down. I¡¯ll show everyone my strength and make you kowtow before me an apology!¡±

    The declaration was enough to send a ripple through the crowd. Murmurs buzzed like an unsettled hive as people exchanged glances and whispered among themselves. Some pointed at Chen Ren, while others glanced nervously at Cang Rui.

    Chen Ren took a moment to scan the faces in the crowd. Old Man Tian stood a few paces away, his mouth hanging open as if he couldn¡¯t believe what he¡¯d just heard. Other stall owners mirrored his stunned expression, their eyes darting between Chen Ren and Cang Rui.

    The children, who had paused their work at the stall, looked equally shaken. Their eyes showed fear, though none of them dared to speak. Tang Xiulan, however, stood with her arms crossed, her eyes calm, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. She knew this was all part of the plan.

    Finally, Chen Ren¡¯s gaze landed on the beggar girl, Anji. Unlike everyone else, she seemed entirely unaffected by the tension crackling in the air. She stirred a pot of noodles, her back partially turned to the unfolding drama. She didn¡¯t even glance at him or Cang Rui, her focus fixed entirely on her task.

    ¡°Alright, I accept your challenge. Let¡¯s see who makes who kowtow,¡± Chen Ren said with his hands waving dismissively in the air.

    Cang Rui laughed maniacally. ¡°You¡¯re confident now, Chen Ren, but you won¡¯t be once I¡¯m done with you.¡±

    He turned to leave, his companions following close behind, their smug chuckles cutting through the crowd. But just as Cang Rui was about to step away, a voice rang out from the throng, cutting through every other whisper that had started to spread.

    ¡°What if he gets defeated before he even faces you in the tournament?¡±

    The crowd stilled, heads swivelling toward the source of the voice. ¡°Wait, who was it?¡± someone asked loudly. And that was the same question that rang in everyone¡¯s minds.

    At the sudden interruption, Cang Rui snapped his head toward the crowd, his sharp gaze scanning for the voice that had dared to speak. Yet, no matter how hard he looked, he couldn¡¯t locate the source. Frustration flickered across his face before one of his young master companions stepped forward with a smug grin.

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s true,¡± the companion said, loudly enough for the surrounding crowd to hear. ¡°What if this so-called lowly cultivator can¡¯t even make it through the battle royale? It¡¯d be a waste of your time, Young Master Cang.¡±

    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    Another chimed in, his tone dripping with mockery. ¡°Exactly. That man isn¡¯t a cultivator; he¡¯s just a glorified merchant pretending to be one. I doubt he¡¯ll even last a minute in the tournament. Most likely, he¡¯ll run off before it even ends.¡±

    A third added, his laugh cutting through the murmurs. ¡°I heard he lost to Li Xuan in less than a minute during the Soaring Sword Sect entrance exams. A talentless hack like him wouldn¡¯t stand a chance.¡±

    Cang Rui¡¯s confident smirk faltered as he processed their words. His expression shifted through a kaleidoscope of emotions¡ªanger, doubt, and then a calculating gleam in his eyes as he glanced at Chen Ren.  S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°You¡¯re right. This bastard is too weak to make it to the sparring rounds where I can face him properly.¡± He turned toward the crowd, lifting his chin high. ¡°Hence, I declare here and now: I, Cang Rui, will make him kowtow before me in the tournament!¡± His declaration silenced the crowd, all ears hanging on his next words. ¡°And if anyone dares touch him before I¡¯ve had my chance, they will be my enemy. Spread the word¡ªChen Ren is my prey, and no one else has the right to interfere!¡±

    As he finished, he turned to glare at Chen Ren. Yet Chen Ren remained unmoved, his expression blank save for the faintest curve of a smile. It was a subtle gesture, but one that made Cang Rui¡¯s frown deepen.

    With a final, pointed finger, Cang Rui spat, ¡°Know this, Chen Ren: I¡¯ll teach you a lesson in the tournament, and there will be no excuse for you to run away this time!¡±

    Without waiting for a response, he spun on his heel and stalked away, his entourage following close behind. Some were bumping fists at what had happened, while others simply followed. Chen Ren saw how the crowd parted for him once more, but this time, their whispers were twice as much. Many turned their gazes back to Chen Ren, their expressions ranging from pity to outright dismissal, as though he were already a dead man walking.

    Chen Ren, however, paid them no mind. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction, his plan working exactly as he¡¯d hoped. He allowed himself a moment to savour the win before a small voice tugged at his attention.

    From the edge of the crowd, one of the street kids emerged. It was Chun, his eyes squinted up as the glaring sun bowed upon them, but he had a big smile on his face. ¡°I did well, right?¡±

    Chen Ren smiled back, pulling a small copper wen from his pouch and flicking it to the boy. The child caught it mid-air, grinning ear to ear.

    ¡°You did great,¡± Chen Ren said, watching as the boy scurried off, pocketing his reward.

    The faintest chuckle escaped his lips as he turned back toward his stall.

    As the crowd slowly dispersed, Tang Xiulan stepped closer. She had a sly smile on her face. ¡°Young Master Chen, you¡¯re really quite the schemer, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Chen Ren shrugged. ¡°Not my fault these young masters are so sheltered they don¡¯t even recognize obvious schemes. Cang Rui¡¯s arrogance makes him an easy target.¡± He glanced in the direction the young master had stormed off. ¡°Thankfully, his proclamation will spread like wildfire. Most participants won¡¯t risk crossing him, so I should have a safer path through the tournament.¡±

    Xiulan chuckled softly, folding her arms. ¡°You make it sound so simple.¡±

    Outwardly, Chen Ren smiled with confidence, but internally, his thoughts weren¡¯t so assured. he admitted to himself.

    Still, he allowed himself a small moment of relief.

    He looked around, seeing the amount of people that had gathered. His first plan had worked, but if he wanted to win the tournament and get all those sweet rewards and the money from the betting markets, he would have to make sure none of his plans falter.

    ***

    As the day progressed, Chen Ren¡¯s noodle stall still , with an increasing number of customers eager to sample their wares. Tang Xiulan and the children bustled around, serving bowls of steaming noodles to the growing crowd.

    Although when they tried to move inside the arena with their handcarts bearing ice cream and chips, they faced a challenge. A challenge in the form of stubborn guards.

    They blocked them from entering the arena, talking about some laws that obviously didn''t exist.

    However, Tang Xiulan took care of the ¡°situation¡±. She slipped the guard a discreet bribe and soon enough, the handcarts were allowed through, and they began peddling ice cream and snacks to the hungry spectators inside. The extra income from this arrangement made Xiulan grin with satisfaction, and Chen Ren decided to leave her in charge of managing the logistics.

    His focus shifted to the tournament.

    Chen Ren slipped away from the marketplace and into one of the corridors that led into the heart of the arena. The stone walls echoed with murmurs and cheers from the crowd above, growing louder as he approached the open grounds.

    His round was scheduled earlier than expected, a fact that initially made him uneasy. As he stepped onto the packed soil of the arena floor, he scanned the gathered competitors. Roughly fifty participants stood in clusters. To his relief, there was no sign of Cang Rui among them. He let out a quiet sigh, his shoulders loosening ever so slightly.

    The arena itself was a spectacle. Surrounding the open field, rows of tiered seats overflowed with spectators, many pointing excitedly at the competitors below. Voices called out names, some cheering for their favourites, others placing bets on potential winners. It was¡­ a lot. He¡¯d never experienced one of these arenas, and it starkly reminded him of the Gladiator movie that he had loved.

    His eyes scanned across the competitors, searching for familiar faces, but none appeared. He adjusted the hem of his robe, reminding himself to stay focused.

    He had come here to win, not to be distracted by what he couldn¡¯t control.

    The announcer¡¯s booming voice interrupted his thoughts, calling for the competitors to assemble near the central platform. Chen Ren joined the group, blending into the sea of cultivators.

    As Chen Ren moved through the crowd toward the competitor¡¯s platform, his eyes caught a glimpse of Tang Xiulan and one of the street kids, a boy named Jian, selling chips and ice cream to a bunch of girls who were seated. Xiulan handed a bag of chips to a man while the little guy offered a scoop to one of the girls. The sight made Chen Ren smile faintly. They were thriving out there¡ªat least something was going smoothly today.

    His attention snapped back to the arena as a tall official, clad in dark green robes embroidered with the city emblem, stepped onto a raised platform. His voice immediately drew all the eyes onto him.

    ¡°You all know the basic rules! This is the first round, so no killing is allowed. If you are thrown off the platform, you are disqualified. If you cannot fight any longer, you are disqualified. No pills, no demonic techniques, and no outside interference. You will begin when I give the signal.¡± He swept his hand toward the massive stone stage. ¡°Now, get on the platform.¡±

    One by one, the competitors climbed onto the raised battlefield. Chen Ren waited until the crowd thinned before stepping up. As he ascended, he kept his eyes on the other participants, studying their movements. Many returned his gaze, their expressions ranging from curiosity to disdain.

    A few even pointed at him and whispered. Chen Ren didn¡¯t need to hear the words to know the content¡ªCang Rui¡¯s declaration had undoubtedly spread like wildfire. He could almost feel the weight of their assumptions. he thought,

    The official raised a hand, signalling for silence, and the murmurs in the stands faded. His voice boomed across the arena as he addressed the audience.

    ¡°Honored spectators, today marks the beginning of this year¡¯s tournament, hosted graciously by the City Lord¡¯s Estate and with the blessing of the Soaring Sword Sect!¡± He paused, allowing the crowd to erupt in cheers. ¡°Let this battle royale showcase the strength, determination, and skill of our participants. May the best rise above all others! Competitors begin!¡±

    The moment the words left his mouth, chaos erupted.

    Chen Ren stood still as the arena turned into a frenzy. Fighters charged at each other, fists, swords, and techniques flying as alliances crumbled and rivalries ignited. The crowd roared with excitement as competitors clashed, some thrown off the platform within moments.

    He watched everything happen while standing steps away from the corner, a smile threatening to break on his face, the wild melee reminding him of the wrestling matches he¡¯d watched as a kid. Adults, fighting as if their life depended on it. Some more desperate than others.

    Just as he had hoped, no one made a move toward him. Cang Rui¡¯s warning had done its job, and his unassuming behaviour worked in his favour. As the number of competitors dwindled, Chen Ren allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.

    But his moment of calm didn¡¯t last.

    A loud voice rang out from his left. ¡°I don¡¯t care who Cang Rui thinks he is! He doesn¡¯t decide what I can or can¡¯t do!¡±

    Chen Ren turned to see a hot-blooded youth, his face flushed with righteous fury, pointing directly at him.

    ¡°I, Mi Fung from Red Willow Village, will defeat you and him! I¡¯ll win this tournament and prove my strength to everyone!¡±

    Before Chen Ren could react, the youth charged toward him. Chen Ren thought, his smile vanishing as he shifted his stance, readying himself for the fight.

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

 Chapter 47: Li of the Xuan

    Chen Ren had planned to reach the main rounds of the tournament without much trouble, counting on the influence and recklessness of Cang Rui to clear his path. But he wasn¡¯t naive. He knew that while the Cang Clan had power in Cloud Mist City, it didn¡¯t hold much sway beyond its borders.

    With cultivators from all over gathered for the competition, Chen Ren prepared himself for more than just local troublemakers.

    So, when Mi Fung leapt toward him, shouting his name like a budding Xianxia hero, Chen Ren didn¡¯t even flinch. With a simple sidestep, he dodged the boy¡¯s palm strike, causing the over-eager opponent to stumble dangerously close to the edge of the stage. If he were to jump out of the stage, he¡¯d have been disqualified without another word.

    The boy spun around, glaring at Chen Ren, his face red with embarrassment and anger.

    ¡°You dare move out of my way? I¡¯ll make you kneel once I defeat you!¡± Mi Fung shouted. His hands were balled into fists in his sides, and the boy seemed to shake. Anger radiated from every inch of hisbody, and Chen Ren barely stopped himself from laughing.

    Instead, he smirked and said, ¡°Get in line, kid. Also, who even talks like that? You¡¯re some village kid with inherent spirit roots, not the prince of the empire.¡±

    The boy¡¯s face darkened with rage. He inhaled deeply and lunged again, yelling the name of his move like it would make it stronger.

    ¡°[Heavenly Trusted Strike!]¡±

    Chen Ren sighed, shaking his head as he effortlessly dodged the punch. The boy swung with his other fist, but this time, Chen Ren caught it mid-air and held it firmly. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the struggling cultivator.

    ¡°You don¡¯t even seem to be at the fifth star of the body forging realm. What makes you so confident?¡± Chen Ren asked and raised his eyebrows in question.

    But before the boy could reply, Chen Ren¡¯s fist crackled with lightning. With a quick motion, he struck the boy square in the chest, sending him flying off the stage. The unlucky cultivator crashed into another participant, knocking both of them out cold.

    Chen Ren crossed his arms and waited, half-expecting the boy to jump up, stronger and more determined, like one of those "hidden protagonist" types who only grew tougher the more they struggled. Instead, there was just silence as the crowd murmured in surprise.

    , he stood there for a moment, watching as the boy lay sprawled on the ground, completely unconscious.

    Finally, he let out a quiet sigh of relief. ¡°Not a hidden protagonist after all,¡± he muttered, shaking his head and turning his attention to the rest of the arena.

    The battles around him were brutal, and it didn¡¯t take long for the arena to clear out. Over half the cultivators were either lying on the ground or being dragged out by the attendants. Blood splattered the floor in various places, even though killing wasn¡¯t allowed at this stage of the competition. The sight made Chen Ren feel a little nauseous, but he suppressed it. He had seen enough bloodshed by now to keep himself in check.

    Eventually, the chaos began to subside, and only two people remained in the arena: Chen Ren and one other man.

    As he glanced at his final opponent, recognition flashed in his eyes. It was the man in leather armour, the one Yalan had analysed back in the city lord¡¯s office. She¡¯d mentioned a lingering injury in his left leg¡ªa weakness Chen Ren had tucked away in his mind just in case¡ªespecially if a situation as the moment right now arose.

    The man noticed Chen Ren as well, the fear in his eyes shifting as conflicting emotions flickered across his face. Chen Ren guessed what was going through his mind. He had probably heard about Cang Rui¡¯s threats and was now weighing whether to give face to the Cang Clan or fight for his own chance at the rewards and the opportunity to enter a sect.

    Finally, he seemed to reach a decision. He gave a slight bow and said, ¡°I, Yeng Wi, don¡¯t want to surrender. I¡¯ve sacrificed a lot to stand here and would prefer to leave only after a proper fight.¡±

    Chen Ren smirked at that. ¡°That¡¯s understandable. Come at me, then.¡±

    Yeng Wi didn¡¯t hesitate. He charged forward, gripping a halberd tightly in his hands. As he closed the distance, a gust of wind seemed to swirl around him, boosting his speed and sharpening the blade of his weapon. Chen Ren noted the enhancement but didn¡¯t let it rattle him. With his movement technique, he darted around the halberd, narrowly avoiding its sweeping arc.

    Lightning crackled around Chen Ren¡¯s palm as he aimed a punch at Yeng Wi¡¯s side. But the man dodged, stepping back just in time.

    Chen Ren smirked. Using the feint to his advantage, he shifted his weight and launched a sharp kick at Yeng Wi¡¯s left leg, the one Yalan had pointed out as injured.

    The strike connected. Yeng Wi¡¯s face twisted in pain as he staggered, his footing faltering. Chen Ren took a step back, watching carefully to see if his opponent could recover.

    Just as Chen Ren had expected, Yeng Wi collapsed to the ground, clutching his injured leg and crying out in pain. Despite his obvious disadvantage, the man gritted his teeth and swung his halberd at Chen Ren in a desperate attempt to land a hit. But Chen Ren was ready. With a flick of his wrist, lightning crackled to life, surging around him for everyone around him to feel.

    The force knocked the halberd from Yeng Wi¡¯s hands, sending it clattering to the ground. Chen Ren stepped closer, narrowing his eyes and looked down at the fallen man.

    ¡°You have a lingering injury on your left leg,¡± Chen Ren said and gestured at the man¡¯s leg. ¡°You can¡¯t win this fight, no matter what. Just give up, or you¡¯ll only make things harder for yourself.¡±

    Yeng Wi¡¯s eyes widened in shock at the statement, and he opened his mouth to respond. But before he could say a word, Chen Ren cut him off. ¡°If ¡®I surrender¡¯ isn¡¯t the next thing you say,¡± he added, ¡°I¡¯ll hit your injury again.¡±

    Fear flashed across Yeng Wi¡¯s face, and he quickly shouted, ¡°I surrender!¡±

    The official overseeing the match stepped forward and raised his voice. ¡°The winner is Chen Ren of Red Peak City!¡±

    With that, cheers erupted from the crowd, and Chen Ren¡¯s name echoed through the arena. He raised his fists in acknowledgment, a small smile tugging at his lips. His gaze naturally drifted toward Tang Xiulan and the others in the stands. They were clapping and smiling, their support warming him more than the cheers of strangers ever could.

    But as he turned to leave the arena, his ears caught faint murmurs from the crowd¡ªboos and accusations of cheating.

    ¡°Of course he won. No one dared to attack him because of the Cang Rui.¡±

    ¡°Typical. A victory handed to him.¡±

    Chen Ren let the words roll off him. He¡¯d known this was coming the moment he agreed to let Cang Rui¡¯s influence clear his path. He smirked faintly to himself and kept walking, head held high. The tournament wasn¡¯t over yet, and he still had much to prove.

    ***

    After his battle royale round, Chen Ren wasted no time to return to his business. The familiar routine of selling things was a comfort¡ªmuch better than being in the middle of blood and gore, and with every transaction, he felt his qi swirl more intensely within his dantian.

    Although the noodles were now offering diminishing returns in terms of qi generation, his newer creations¡ªchips and ice cream¡ªwere proving to be a hit. Ice cream, in particular, seemed to have a much stronger effect on his qi than the chips, though Chen Ren wasn¡¯t sure why.

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    Maybe it was because it was more expensive, or perhaps there was something special about it. Either way, he enjoyed the results, the steady stream of customers and the exciting look on their faces after trying ice cream.

    As he moved through the arena, peddling his wares, he couldn¡¯t help but overhear snippets of conversation about himself. Some of it was positive, praising his skill or his victory in the arena. But there were just as many whispers calling him a cheater. Those voices seemed to have grown louder since the battle royale, with more people learning about how the Cang Clan¡¯s influence had likely played a role in his advancement.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t let it bother him much. He figured most of the negativity came from people who had lost money betting against him. After all, they probably saw him as nothing more than a weak upstart who¡¯d gotten lucky.

    That perception didn¡¯t worry him; he was confident it would change with time. Until it affected his business, he cared little for his reputation. Besides, the quality and uniqueness of his products kept people coming back. For now, the attention was focused on his goods, not him, and that was exactly how he liked it.

    Still, amidst the whispers, he picked up valuable information about the competition. There was talk of the other prominent cultivators who had entered, and one name stood out to Chen Ren: Li Xuan.

    Li Xuan was the man who had defeated and killed Chen Ren¡¯s predecessor. Though Chen Ren had briefly heard of him before, it hadn¡¯t been confirmed that Li Xuan would participate in the tournament. After all, he had already moved on to the prestigious Soaring Sword Sect. But now it was certain¡ªLi Xuan was here, and from what Chen Ren gathered, he was last year¡¯s champion.

    Many cultivators joined the competition this year just for a chance to face Li Xuan. Perhaps that was the reason Li Xuan had entered, too. Chen Ren wouldn¡¯t be surprised if the City Lord had convinced his son to participate to elevate the tournament¡¯s prestige even further.

    Rather than dwelling on the implications of Li Xuan¡¯s presence, Chen Ren was more curious about the man¡¯s strength. From his inherited memories, he recalled that Li Xuan had been at the peak of the body forging realm during their last battle. It was almost certain that he had since broken through to higher realms.

    The thought of seeing Li Xuan¡¯s current capabilities intrigued him, so Chen Ren decided to watch his battle royale match from the spectator stands. After all, what better way to know your competitor than on the field?

    As he leaned forward, his eyes scanning the arena below, a voice interrupted his focus.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re the one selling this ice cream I¡¯ve been hearing so much about?¡±

    Chen Ren turned to see a middle-aged man standing nearby, his face glistening with sweat. The afternoon sun blazed overhead, and the oppressive heat had everyone seeking some form of relief. It was no surprise that his ice cream had become a breakout hit under these conditions.

    With his best salesman¡¯s smile, Chen Ren straightened and said, ¡°That¡¯s right. Do you want to try some? It¡¯s only 10 copper wen per scoop.¡±

    The man¡¯s hopeful eyes faltered. ¡°That¡¯s too expensive! None of the food stalls here are charging that much.¡±

    Chen Ren tilted his head and sighed. The heat clearly seemed to have gotten into his head. ¡°That¡¯s because none of them are selling ice cream,¡± he replied smoothly. ¡°It¡¯s not easy to make, you know. I even need cultivators to use frost arrays on my containers just to preserve them. Honestly, I¡¯m barely making any profit here.¡±

    The man hesitated, glancing around at the arena stands before looking up at the sun hanging in the sky and brushing sweat off his forehead. Finally, he grumbled, ¡°Fine, give me one scoop. It better be worth it.¡±

    ¡°You bet.¡±

    Without wasting time, Chen Ren grabbed a wooden bowl and scooped out a portion of the chilled dessert. Handing it over, he said, "Enjoy, but make sure to return the bowl once you''re done."

    The man muttered a distracted "Sure, sure," already focused on the ice cream. He took an extremely small bite from the ice cream, and soon his eyes widened. He licked his lips deliciously and looked inside the bowl.

    ¡°Oh my! Oh my!¡± He began devouring the rest of the ice cream without a pause, some of it dripping from the corners of his mouth, but soon, he collected them and didn¡¯t allow a drop to go to waste.

    Chen Ren allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction at the man''s expression and the swirling qi in his dantian before a loud roar from the arena below pulled his attention.

    He leaned forward, scanning the arena just as the announcer declared the start of the match. The crowd erupted in cheers, and the sound of clashing weapons echoed from the combatants below. Chen Ren¡¯s focus sharpened, his eyes searching for a familiar face.

    A voice suddenly called out from behind him¡ªinside his mind.

    Chen Ren turned to see Yalan perched on the railing of the stand, her amber eyes gleaming with mischief. Without responding aloud, he nodded slightly before gesturing toward the arena.

    Yalan followed his gaze to where a young man wielding a sword was cutting through his opponents effortlessly.she said in a dead tone, her eyes squinting at the man.

    Li Xuan was a tall man¡ª taller than most people in the city. He was at least a foot taller than Chen Ren, standing at seven feet and had long hair that was braided to the middle of his back. It was a shiny blonde colour that stood out from most, giving him the look of a protagonist from one of the Xianxia books he had read back in his previous life.

    With extreme focus, he shewed off his sword skills, gracefully moving through the dozens of cultivators in the arena and striking them down with precise strikes. A faint crackle of lightning danced along his sword, but unlike Chen Ren¡¯s volatile energy, Li Xuan¡¯s control was impeccable.

    Yalan remarked.

    Chen Ren¡¯s brow furrowed.

    Yalan shook her head.

    Chen Ren raised an eyebrow.  S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Yalan turned to him, her expression serious.

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver as he watched Li Xuan dispatch another opponent. he said after a moment,

    Yalan gave him a sharp look.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t answer immediately, his mind racing as he considered the possibility. But it seemed too far-fetched.

    Yalan purred.

    She paused, glancing toward the arena¡¯s stands, where waves of cultivators watched the battle royale, their eyes fixed on Li Xuan. she added,

    Chen Ren¡¯s grip on the railing tightened as he watched Li Xuan strike down his final opponent with a flourish.

    His opponent crumbled to the ground, his weapon shattered, and the announcer¡¯s voice boomed over the noise, declaring him the victor. Li Xuan stood tall in the centre of the arena, his blade resting casually on his shoulder.

    Cheers erupted all around. The entire fight felt like Li Xuan practising instead of actually putting in the effort to fight. He inclined his head in a polite bow toward the roaring crowd, his composure unshaken by the attention. As he straightened, his gaze swept across the stands, lingering briefly on Chen Ren.

    For a moment, their eyes met.

    Chen Ren tensed, he felt his knuckles turning white, but Li Xuan¡¯s eyes betrayed no recognition. He looked away without a second thought, striding confidently toward the exit.

    Yalan snickered, her amber eyes gleaming with amusement.

    Chen Ren exhaled softly and nodded. ¡°Not yet. But I think I¡¯ll just have to make our next meeting memorable enough that he never forgets me.¡±

    As the words left his mouth, a chill ran down his spine. His instincts flared, and he turned his head toward the opposite side of the arena. There, amidst the sea of spectators, stood a man whose eyes locked up with his.

    He was tall and broad-shouldered, draped in a dark cloak. His features were rugged and sharp while his skin was pale, almost sickly, which was the polar opposite of the dark lines of scars and tattoos that crawled up his neck and disappeared beneath his collar.

    Chen Ren¡¯s fingers twitched instinctively as the man kept his gaze on him.

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

 Chapter 48: City Lord

    For a moment, Chen Ren thought the man was glaring directly at him. The intensity of his gaze felt like it could pierce through the crowd, locking him in place. But then, the man¡¯s eyes shifted elsewhere, and he turned, disappearing into the throng of spectators without a second glance.

    Yalan asked, her voice laced with curiosity as she perched on the railing.

    Chen Ren replied evenly, though his thoughts were still racing.

    Yalan tilted her head, her small eyes narrowing as she scanned the crowd.

    Chen Ren mused, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

    Yalan¡¯s tail flicked once.

    Chen Ren nodded, though a lingering unease remained in his chest. His mind drifted back to that night with the spectral rhinos, when even the shadows felt much more dangerous than they actually were. Since then, paranoia tugged at him every now and then. He supposed it was inevitable, given that the demonic cultivator hadn¡¯t been caught yet.

    Chen Ren thought grimly. But like Yalan had said, it would take either a fool or someone incredibly reckless to attend a tournament crawling with cultivators.

    He exhaled, shaking off the feeling, and was brought back to the present by a shout. ¡°Hey, ice cream man! Over here!¡±

    Chen Ren turned to see a burly man waving him over impatiently. He grabbed a bowl, scooped out a serving of ice cream, and walked over to hand it off. The man grunted his thanks before digging in, leaving Chen Ren to return to his stand.

    ***

    The battle royale round ended quickly, the competitors falling one by one as the arena grew quieter, leaving only the strongest standing. Chen Ren had hoped to spectate the entire event, watching the clashes of cultivators to learn more about his potential threats, but most of his attention was consumed by his stall and the handcart he had set up inside the arena.

    Seeing other vendors peddling their goods made it clear that he wasn¡¯t the only one with this idea, many had bribed the guards to set up shop inside the arena. Though, unlike his ice cream and chips, their sales were much slower, their goods were not as unique or appealing to the crowds.

    Day by day, Chen Ren found himself selling over three hundred bowls of noodles, about one hundred and fifty packs of chips, and around a hundred servings of ice cream. While it seemed like the ice cream wasn¡¯t making as much, its price was higher than the other items, and unlike noodles or chips, it had a dedicated group of recurring customers who returned for it every day in the arena.

    At a glance, it was clear Chen Ren was doing well. He was pulling in hundreds of silver wen every day, and his qi was constantly swirling within him, rising as his cultivation slowly increased with each passing moment.

    He could feel a breakthrough coming, the pull of his cultivation urging him to step forward. But Chen Ren held back. He didn¡¯t want to use the opportunity just yet¡ªhe was saving it for the semi-finals.

    A small voice in his mind warned him that he might not even reach the semi-finals, but he chose to ignore it.

    Confidence in his abilities was key, especially knowing he had many tricks up his sleeve. If he was honest with himself, he felt he could hold his own against even a qi refinement realm cultivator. But fortunately, or unfortunately, he never got the chance to test it.

    After all, each of his opponents kept surrendering.

    ¡°Zichen surrenders! Chen Ren wins the round and secures his place in the semi-finals!¡± An official announced and was followed by a brief pause, his voice ringing clearly through the arena. ¡°The defeated cultivator Meng Tou will receive the standard rewards for the top 8¡ª five spirit stones, three pills, and one weapon of his choice!¡±

    A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd, though Chen Ren hardly noticed. He allowed himself a small smile at the announcement, but his attention was already on his opponent. The man¡¯s face was twisted into a grimace, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. Every fiber of his being radiated frustration and humiliation.

    Meng Tou had surrendered without even launching a single attack, a decision influenced by something far beyond his control.

    The man¡¯s shoulders shook with barely restrained anger, his breath coming in short, ragged bursts. He cast one final glare¡ªat Chen Ren, then at the sky¡ªbefore stepping off the stage. His movements were stiff, as if each step was an effort to hold himself together.

    Chen Ren¡¯s smile faded, replaced by a more somber expression. A pang of sympathy tugged at him. He understood too well how it felt to be powerless, to have no choice but to surrender before even launching one punch.

    His thoughts drifted to his previous opponent, the girl he had faced in the top 16. She had looked on the verge of tears as she surrendered, her head bowed in defeat. The memory of her trembling hands and downcast gaze lingered uncomfortably in his mind. He hadn¡¯t known what to say then, and even now, words seemed inadequate.

    Instead, he had sent Xiulan to offer her some ice cream after the match. It was a small gesture, hardly enough to erase the sting of defeat, but he hoped it had brought her a sliver of comfort. Watching her accept it with hesitant gratitude had lightened the weight on his chest, if only a little.

    The world wasn¡¯t kind, and it was easy to feel sorry for those forced to give up, but in his heart, he knew he would¡¯ve won against both of them regardless of their circumstances. He tried to think of it positively.

    The competition wasn¡¯t about fairness; it was about survival. And though he knew it was a bit underhanded, scheming was part of the game. There were no rules barring him from using every trick at his disposal, and the so-called righteous cultivators here were no different than the bloodthirsty murderhobos, all pride and ego, willing to do anything to stay on top.

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    Still, the boos of the crowd affected him a bit. Their discontent was palpable¡ªjeers and shouts of ¡°coward¡± and other insults rang through the air. They were disappointed by the lack of a fight, and though he understood why, it didn¡¯t make it any easier to bear. He turned toward them, meeting their eyes for a brief moment, and silently vowed to turn their boos into cheers next time.

    The trick might not work in the semi-finals, but he¡¯d make sure they wouldn¡¯t be disappointed again.

    Before stepping off the platform, Chen Ren¡¯s gaze shifted upward. He noticed a special area in the arena, elevated above the crowd, reserved for important figures.

    It looked like a VIP box at a sports match, and in it sat a few individuals, observing the events below. Among them, his eyes landed on an old man with a large beard, dressed in robes that immediately told Chen Ren he was from the Soaring Sword Sect. Chen Ren vaguely recalled him from the sect entrance examinations. He caught Chen Ren¡¯s eyes with the air of someone who had seen it all, someone who wouldn¡¯t easily be impressed.

    His eyes seemed¡­ calculating, observing him from above and taking everything in.

    Next to the elder sat a burly man, his intense gaze focused on the arena with a scowl on his face. His expensive robes indicated his high status, and the way he spoke angrily to a man seated to his left confirmed his importance. Chen Ren recognised him immediately¡ªthe city lord, Li Baolong. From the way he glared at the proceedings, Chen Ren guessed that the city lord was none too pleased with how things were unfolding.

    He probably disapproved of Chen Ren¡¯s unorthodox methods. But as long as he didn¡¯t break any rules, there was nothing the city lord could do to him.

    As he took in the scene, Chen Ren couldn¡¯t help but notice the differences between Li Xuan and his father. The city lord and his son clearly didn¡¯t share much in terms of appearance. Chen Ren had expected some resemblance, but Li Xuan didn¡¯t seem to look anything like the older man, suggesting he must have inherited his features from his mother.

    After giving a respectful bow toward the distinguished figures in the VIP box, Chen Ren turned away. He wasn¡¯t here to cater to the whims of the powerful. He had his eyes on the prize¡ªpreparing for the semi-finals. With his next fight on the horizon, he knew it might not be able to get away with it without fighting.

    ***

    The city lord, Li Baolong, sat in the elevated stands in the arena, his eyes never leaving it. His lips were tightened in frustration as he watched the battle end in surrender. His gaze landed on the young man who had gotten an entry into the semi-finals without a single scratch on him and the crowd''s harsh words and boos that followed him. Their discontent was palpable.

    Li Baolong clenched his jaw, his anger simmering beneath the surface. ¡°Isn¡¯t this a mockery of our city¡¯s tournament?¡± he muttered under his breath, his words leaving his mouth heavy with disdain. His leg continuously bounced up and down impatiently. ¡°Someone makes it to the semi-finals and hasn¡¯t even bled once in the process? Not a single exchange of blows, no real effort. Why is everyone surrendering like this to this man? What¡¯s his background?¡±

    A steward standing nearby, his posture stiff with unease and the long hours of standing, quickly leaned in to answer. ¡°Lord, he¡¯s a man from Red Peak City. His name is Chen Ren and he has gained some notoriety for two reasons. First, he won a Trial by Might against Bai Shen, the young master of the Bai Hu Trade Association. Second, his businesses, particularly his perfumes, are becoming quite popular among mortal women in the region. However, the real reason behind the surrender is a rumor. It is said that Cang Rui of the Cang Clan has spread word that anyone fighting this man will earn the ire of his clan. According to the rumor, only Cang Rui is allowed to defeat him.¡±

    Li Baolong¡¯s face darkened further, the disbelief etched across his features twisting into a mixture of anger and incredulity. ¡°That¡¯s bullshit!¡± he snapped, his voice rising. ¡°If that¡¯s the reason, then what does it say about this tournament? A man who doesn¡¯t even break a sweat in his victories, and people surrendering left and right? It¡¯s all because of rumors?¡± His voice dripped with derision as he leaned forward, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the chair¡¯s armrests. ¡°This is disgraceful! Where¡¯s the honor in this?¡±

    His anger mounting, Li Baolong turned sharply toward the man seated to his right, a figure draped in deep purple robes and adorned with an air of reserved authority. ¡°Lord Cang, is that true?¡± his voice carried a biting edge, the question less a query and more a demand for an explanation.

    The man, Cang Huasheng, maintained his composure despite the pointed accusation. He inclined his head in a show of respect, though his expression betrayed a flicker of discomfort. ¡°I must apologize, Lord Li,¡± he said. ¡°It is true that my son, Cang Rui, has always been hasty in his words. He was deeply offended by this man, and perhaps his pride got the better of him. It seems he may have spoken out of turn, and for that, I take full responsibility. But rest assured,¡± he added, ¡°there is no way this man will make it out of the semi-finals. I will personally ensure that whoever fights him doesn''t hold back in their match."

    Li Baolong¡¯s anger simmered, his lips pressing into a thin line as he nodded sharply. ¡°Do that,¡± he said curtly. ¡°And next time, tell your son to keep his mouth shut. Spreading such rumors brings a very bad flavour to the tournament. At this rate, even someone entirely unworthy could make it to the semi-finals.¡±

    Just as the tension in the room seemed to settle, a voice cut through the charged atmosphere. ¡°Unworthy? I doubt that, Lord Li.¡±

    The words came from Elder Yan Xiu of the Soaring Sword Sect, who had been quietly observing the proceedings from his seat. His voice was calm yet carried a weight of authority that commanded attention.

    Li Baolong¡¯s gaze snapped toward Yan Xiu, his brow furrowing in confusion and annoyance. ¡°What do you mean?¡± he asked, his tone laced with scepticism. ¡°Do you think a mere seventh-star body-forging realm cultivator is worthy of making it this far? Greater cultivators have failed long before reaching the semi-finals. Even the man who surrendered just now was at the ninth star.¡±

    Yan Xiu nodded thoughtfully. ¡°You are right, Lord Li, but cultivation realms aren¡¯t everything.¡± He paused, eyes narrowing at parts of the crowd. ¡°Despite the surrenders, that man¡¯s entire body stance was fitted for battle as if he was prepared for even a fight rather than a surrender. His eyes¡ªthere was no fear in them. Moreover, one of his hands was very close to the pockets of his robes. He has planned things in advance. He might not have great cultivation, but I don¡¯t think he¡¯s here just because of circumstances. He might just surprise you.¡±

    Lord Li Baolong opened his mouth to respond, but just then, another figure entered the box, cutting him off.

    ¡°I agree with that.¡±

    Everyone turned as Tang Jihao, the esteemed elder from the Tang Clan, walked in. His complexion looked a little better than the last time they had seen him, and even his walk¡ªexuded an air of dignity.

    Li Baolong raised an eyebrow, a little surprised. ¡°You look to be having better health now, Tang Jihao.¡±

    Tang Jihao gave a modest smile, nodding respectfully. ¡°My daughter¡¯s success has made my illness much more tolerable,¡± he said. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to miss watching the tournament, so I came here in person.¡± S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Everyone nodded in acknowledgment, and Tang Jihao settled into a seat beside them. Li Baolong, however, was still deep in thought. He turned toward him. ¡°What do you mean, you agree with elder Yan Xiu?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Chen Ren lives with me.¡± His eyes were distant as he looked at the arena, seeing how people were mingling with each other. ¡°And I must admit, I¡¯ve been surprised by him every step of the way. I¡¯ve seen him push through situations that would have broken most others. I have confidence in him. His abilities go beyond what others might perceive at first glance.¡±

    Lord Li Baolong studied Tang Jihao closely. ¡°Confidence is good, Tang Jihao,¡± he replied, ¡°But I don¡¯t think just that will help the young man. After all, soon there will only be four people left, and none of them will be weak enough to surrender. He¡¯ll have to fight¡ªreally fight¡ªand then we will see if he¡¯s actually worthy.¡±

    Tang Jihai turned in his seat slightly and looked at Li Baolong in his eyes. He offered a gentle smile and said, ¡°We¡¯ll see, Lord Li. We¡¯ll see if my confidence in him is misplaced.¡±

    The city lord snorted, clearly not convinced. ¡°We shall, indeed! But when the real battle begins, only the strongest will remain. We¡¯ll see how your young friend fares then.¡±

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

 Chapter 49: Semi finalist

    Chen Ren kept his eyes fixed on the arena platform, maintaining his focus despite the noise coming from the crowd. The city official, serving as the referee, stepped forward, his voice loud and clear as it echoed across the massive arena.

    "After many interesting and exciting battles, where cultivators displayed their strength, and willpower to challenge even the heavens, only four remain!" he announced, his jubilant voice drawing cheers from the audience. He looked around with his hands extending to the four corners where the four participants were being kept. "These four have caught the attention of not just the City Lord but also the esteemed elders of the Soaring Sword Sect. But the question is¡ªcan they make it to the finals and win the tournament? Let¡¯s find out!"

    The official paused dramatically, letting the crowd''s energy build. A lot of people stood up from their seats and cheered for the competitors. "First up, we have Li Xuan! Last year¡¯s champion and an inner disciple of the Soaring Sword Sect, his sword techniques are famous throughout the region. Will he defend his title, or will one of the others take the crown this year?"

    All eyes shifted toward a corner of the arena, where Li Xuan stood with a calm and composed stance, his gaze fixed downwards and hands clutched behind. To Chen Ren, Li Xuan seemed indifferent, as if he already believed the victory was his.

    Before Chen Ren could dwell further on Li Xuan, the official continued. "Challenging him foremost is the young master of the Cang Clan, Cang Rui! Known for his mastery of the void element, he¡¯s considered the most dangerous contender among the semi-finalists. Rumor has it, he already has some unfinished business with the third contender. Can he dominate the competition? We¡¯ll see soon!"

    The crowd erupted in cheers, their excitement growing. Cang Rui, surrounded by a group of other young masters, smirked confidently. He shot a venomous glare at Chen Ren, but he simply ignored it, turning his focus towards the official once again.

    "And now," the official said, his voice rising once more, "we have Chen Ren! An unexpected semi-finalist who has already shaken the betting market. Those who placed their faith in him are walking away much richer. We haven¡¯t seen much of his abilities yet, but many are eager to see if he has more surprises up his sleeve. Will he rise to the occasion or falter here? That¡¯s what we¡¯re about to find out!"

    At the mention of Chen Ren¡¯s name, the crowd didn¡¯t cheer. Instead, a wave of boos echoed through the arena. While it was true that he had made some people rich with unexpected victories, he had also caused many others to lose money¡ªthose who had bet on his opponents, confident that Chen Ren would lose.

    He stood tall, unbothered by the noise. He didn¡¯t show any emotions. The jeers didn¡¯t faze him, but beside him, Tang Xiulan and the children from the noodle stall shifted nervously, their worry evident on their faces.

    The official didn¡¯t dwell on the crowd¡¯s reaction, quickly moving on to the next name. "And now, the last semi-finalist¡ªsomeone who has truly surprised us all! Regarded as the dark horse of this tournament, he is Gu Tian, a wandering sword cultivator! Though only at the sixth star of the body forging realm, his deadly techniques have carried him all the way to the top four. Let¡¯s give him a well-deserved round of applause!"

    The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, their enthusiasm a sharp, bold difference from the reception Chen Ren had received. His eyes followed the official¡¯s gesture to where Gu Tian stood and a flicker of surprise flashed on his face. This was the same man Chen Ren had locked eyes with earlier. The same man who¡¯d given him an eerie feeling with a simple eye contact.

    At first glance, Gu Tian didn¡¯t seem particularly impressive, his aura plain and unassuming. Yet, as Chen Ren continued to observe him, he couldn¡¯t fathom how this cultivator had managed to fight his way to the semi-finals.

    Gu Tian, seemingly unaware of¡ªor uninterested in¡ªChen Ren¡¯s scrutiny, raised his hands in acknowledgment of the crowd. Their cheers grew louder, and the entire arena buzzed¡ªno, shook with excitement. Chen Ren had¡¯t watched any of Gu Tian¡¯s matches, but judging by the crowd¡¯s adoration, they must have been thrilling. He must¡¯ve given something worthy to watch.

    After all, everyone loved an underdog¡ªa dark horse capable of taking down stronger opponents¡ªand Gu Tian had clearly done justice to their expectations.

    As Chen Ren continued to study Gu Tian, the official stepped forward again, holding a small bag in one hand while another man stood beside him with an assortment of chits inside. "Now," the official announced, his voice commanding attention, "let¡¯s determine who will face each other in the semi-finals!"

    The arena immediately went silent. The tension was palpable as all eyes turned to the official, waiting for the matchups to be revealed. Without another word, he reached into the bag, pulling out two chits.

    He unfolded them and called out, "The first match will be between Chen Ren and Cang Rui! That means the second match will pit Li Xuan against Gu Tian. Let¡¯s give a round of applause!"

    The crowd soon started cheering, the chaos from before surfacing once again. Chen Ren¡¯s eyes flicked toward Cang Rui, who stood grinning at him. It wasn¡¯t a pleasant smile¡ªit was bloodthirsty, filled with malice and confidence. Chen Ren didn¡¯t react, brushing it off with no expression. This match was inevitable, and it was better to face Cang Rui now rather than later.

    Still, Chen Ren couldn¡¯t ignore what he had observed. During the tournament, he had made it a point to study Cang Rui¡¯s matches. The man might have been an arrogant young master, but his strength was undeniable. The void element was incredibly rare, even rarer than Chen Ren¡¯s own lightning element. It was swift, mysterious, destructive, and brutally efficient. Most of Cang Rui¡¯s battles had ended quickly, his opponents became overwhelmed before they had the chance to mount a defense.

    Chen Ren¡¯s thoughts were interrupted by a voice behind him. "Thinking about something?"

    He turned to see Qing He approaching, her arms crossed and a faint smirk playing on her lips.

    "Senior Qing He," Chen Ren greeted, a bit surprised. "I never thought you¡¯d leave your tea shop to come watch my match."

    Qing He shrugged. "Eh, I felt trapped in there. Besides, I wanted to see if all that training of yours has paid off, or if you¡¯re just going to eat dirt in this tournament." Her smirk widened as she added, "And it seems you¡¯ve managed to get yourself a strong opponent. The difference in cultivation alone is quite the hurdle. Add the void element to the mix, and you¡¯ve really outdone yourself this time. You have a talent for making your life difficult, kid."

    Chen Ren ignored the jab, keeping his focus. "Do you have any advice for me? You must have seen void cultivators before."

    Before Qing He could respond, another voice cut in from his left. "The void element may be rare and destructive, but it¡¯s also unstable¡ªespecially for someone who¡¯s not fully in control of it. If you can disrupt your opponent¡¯s emotional stability, their element can spiral out of control."

    Chen Ren turned toward the speaker and blinked in mild surprise. It was Anji, standing with her arms folded, her sharp gaze fixed on him.

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    Qing He chuckled. "The kid¡¯s right. That¡¯s your best bet to win this battle."

    Chen Ren nodded, filing the information away. He looked back at Anji, curious. "How do you know that?"

    Anji tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. "I once served a cultivator who used void as his element. I learned it from him."

    Chen Ren mimicked her action and tilted his head in return. "Can you tell me more about it?"

    Anji¡¯s face hardened, and she shook her head. "No. I¡¯d rather keep certain things to myself."

    Though her answer left him with more questions, Chen Ren respected her decision and gave a nod. As he glanced at Anji, his senses subtly probed to determine if she was a cultivator. Yet, as always, he found nothing. It was as though he was reading too much into her, but that was what unsettled him the most.

    Anji¡¯s knowledge of cultivation techniques and elements far surpassed what any commoner should know. Even Yalan, had been unable to provide any insight. When Chen Ren had asked about her, the cat had simply flicked its tail and replied that Anji displayed no signs of cultivation whatsoever.

    Yet, here she was, speaking with confidence about the void element as if she had firsthand experience.

    The mystery surrounding her tugged at the edges of his mind. Was she telling the truth, or was there more to her than she let on? Chen Ren couldn¡¯t decide, and the unknown made him uneasy.

    But now wasn¡¯t the time to dwell on it. His gaze shifted back to the arena platform, where the crowd literally moved as one. The match against Cang Rui was ahead, and that was where his focus needed to be.

    ***

    Chen Ren sat quietly, meditating with his legs crossed, his mind focused on the energy stirring within him. His dantian, the center of his qi, felt as though it was bubbling up with power. This surge of qi had started after his recent ice cream and chips sales and only continued to grow from there. The energy felt different, like it had its own movements, but it was growing stronger by the day. Chen Ren knew he had to use this opportunity to grow stronger before the battle with Cang Rui.

    As he closed his eyes, he felt himself slip back into his star space. The familiar sight of countless stars above him greeted him once again. He could feel the eyes of the stars watching over him, their light guiding his cultivation. He had unlocked two new stars recently, and now he focused on them, feeling their energy intertwining with his own.

    Chen Ren turned his attention inward, observing the qi that was gathering inside his body. The energy, like a liquid, moved through his meridians, filling him with strength. It began to feel like his muscles were tightening, his bones growing stronger, and every part of him becoming more resilient. The sensation was intense, but it felt right¡ªthis was the progress he needed.

    But as the energy grew inside him, so did the pressure. His dantian felt full, as though it might burst from the force of the qi. Sweat started to bead on his forehead, and his breath became shallow. He could feel his chest tighten, the strain building. It was almost overwhelming, but Chen Ren forced himself to stay calm, to keep his focus sharp.

    Seconds soon bled into minutes and the energy only continued to grow, and swirl inside him in circles. It was hard, but he knew it was essential.  S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    He reminded himself that this was part of the process. He reached for the Dao of Money, the connection that had always helped him find balance in his life. Drawing on this, he focused his mind on using the qi properly, making sure it flowed without spilling over or causing damage.

    With each breath, he slowly absorbed more and more of the energy, his body growing stronger with every passing moment.

    As the pressure built, he fought the urge to stop. His stomach churned, and his body felt as though it might burst, but he pushed through, focusing all his will on keeping the energy contained.

    Slowly, gradually, the flow of qi began to settle, the intensity easing as he absorbed the power

    Chen Ren¡¯s breath steadied, his body relaxing as he reached the limit of the energy he could take in for now. He had done it.

    He gasped out aloud.

    The qi had settled within him, strengthening his body and mind. All the extra qi he felt were now¡­ much calmer, under control.

    he thought to himself again and slowly opened his eyes, the room around him coming back into focus. He looked down at his sweat-soaked body and clenched his fists. The power that coursed through him felt surreal. Even his fingertips¡ªfelt powerful. A quiet mutter escaped his lips.

    ¡°Ninth star of the body forging realm. I finally achieved it.¡±

    The moment of win was brief, interrupted by a knock at the door.

    ¡°The semi-final is about to begin. They need your presence out there,¡± came a voice from the other side.

    ¡°I¡¯m coming,¡± Chen Ren replied, and sighed. Relief filled his bones as he stretched his neck. Rising to his feet, he quickly pulled himself together, wiping away the sweat and shrugging off his clothes before stepping out of the room.

    As he walked past the official, the muffled sounds of the arena grew louder until they became an overwhelming roar. Cheers and boos mixed together in a chaotic symphony, filling the air with energy.

    Chen Ren stepped onto the arena platform, the ground beneath his feet solid and familiar. The crowd erupted with renewed fervor, some voices shouting for his defeat while others cheered him on. He ignored the noise, his focus remaining on what was about to come, and his eyes scanned the stands.

    In the lower section, he spotted Yalan sitting calmly, her amber eyes locked on him. Catching her gaze, he gave her a slight nod and a confident smile.

    She responded as she got the hint of his breakthrough and raised her paw. Chen Ren smiled at her and turned back to the arena.

    He continued to walk, ignoring the slight stage fright as his ears buzzed with the shouts of the crowd. He had felt it before, but it was clearly hard to get used to it.

    Chen Ren wondered if this is how performers must feel. Under so many eyes¡ªWait no, he couldn¡¯t allow himself to get distracted. He pulled his focus back on the task at hand. The cheers and jeers around him soon blurred into the background.

    Cang Rui stood in the center of the arena with his trademark arrogance, his eyes gleaming with contempt. When Chen Ren finally reached the platform, the young master''s lips curled into a mocking smirk.

    ¡°I was wondering if you had already run off,¡± Cang Rui scoffed loudly. ¡°You made me wait a long time.¡±

    ¡°Obviously not, Young Master Cang,¡± he replied, his words carrying just the right amount of sarcasm. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dream of disappointing you¡ªespecially after you helped me reach the semi-finals by flexing the might of your family. Not even my own family has been so generous.¡±

    Cang Rui¡¯s smirk faltered, replaced by a flash of pure fury. A low murmur ran through the crowd as some of the onlookers caught the subtle jab, and a few began to cheer. It was clear from the shift in the atmosphere that they understood the implications of Chen Ren¡¯s words.

    The young master¡¯s anger ignited when the crowd kept cheering for Chen Ren. His qi flared, swirling in dark, violent tendrils around him. The void element, dangerous and unpredictable, rippled in the air, crackling. He clenched his fists at his sides, and his gaze narrowed, turning icy.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t know why it made him so angry, but was glad that it did his job.

    ¡°You dare speak to me like that?¡± Cang Rui hissed, ¡°I will make you kneel before me and beg for mercy. Then I¡¯ll kill you.¡±

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t flinch, instead he continued to look at him with the same stare. He had expected this¡ªCang Rui¡¯s anger was his fuel, and it was precisely what he needed. The more enraged his opponent became, the easier it would be to unsettle him during the fight.

    Just as Chen Ren thought of replying, the official stepped forward, raising his hand to silence the crowd. His voice rang out.

    ¡°Enough! Listen to the rules, both of you!¡± The official paused, allowing the words to settle in the air. ¡°From this round onward, fatal strikes are allowed. You may cripple your opponent and kill them. If you manage to do so, whatever items the fallen cultivator has will be yours. Other than that, the same rules as before apply: once you¡¯re out of the stage, you lose, once you surrender, you lose and well, once you are killed, you lose. Now, if both of you are ready¡­¡±

    The official¡¯s eyes moved between the two fighters, gauging their readiness. With a final sweep of his arm, he declared.

    ¡°Begin!¡±

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

 Chapter 50: Trap

    As Cang Rui rushed at him, his purple-coloured qi swirled around his legs, moving around like an eye-catching trail. It wasn''t just for show¡ªhis speed was .

    Chen Ren''s eyes struggled to follow the movement. He couldn¡¯t understand why it was happening, Was it because of their difference in cultivation realms? Or was the movement technique itself leagues ahead of his own? He barely managed to twist his body, the wind of Cang Rui''s attack brushing past his shoulder.

    Cang Rui came dangerously close, his nose scrunched up. "You''re too slow," he growled, thrusting his hand forward. Purple qi surged around his fingers, forming a pointy claw.

    Chen Ren reacted on instinct. Lightning qi surged through his legs, and he pushed off the ground in a blinding leap backward. His feet hit the stone platform with a dull thud, the faint crackle of lightning still dancing around his calves. Fortunately, the arena was wide. He had plenty of space to move around. If there was one thing Chen Ren was good at, it was staying out of reach.

    The purple claw slammed into the ground where he had stood moments ago, splintering the stone into small, spiky chunks.

    Dust scattered everywhere, but Chen Ren kept moving. The purple claw seemed to have the strength to crush him in one slash. Therefore, his main intention was to not be caught. The claw kept chasing him, tearing through the platform. But he kept moving. Shards of rock flew past his face, but he didn¡¯t stop.

    Each dodge brought a faint stirring within his core, a sensation of his qi shifting, growing. It was almost as if a breakthrough was near¡ªhe wasn¡¯t exactly sure, but he clung to the feeling. If he could hold out long enough, it might just tip the scales in his favor.

    On the other hand, Cang Rui¡¯s frustration was clear. His snarls grew louder with every failed attack and his movements¡ªthey were getting reckless.

    "Why won¡¯t you stand still?" he shouted, his voice echoing across the arena. The purple claw flickered and vanished. In its place, five violet Jian blades shimmered into existence, hovering in the air, menacingly.

    Chen Ren¡¯s heart sank. He had seen this technique before while watching Cang Rui¡¯s previous fights. The blades were sharp enough to slice through iron and fast enough to catch an unprepared opponent. If even one hit him, it was over.

    The blades shot forward without warning, streaking through the air. Chen Ren moved, lightning crackling through his legs as he dashed away. The first blade struck the ground behind him, an explosion of energy and stone following. The shockwave sent a wave of heat against his back, but he gritted his teeth and pushed forward.

    The second and third blades came in rapid succession, forcing him to zigzag across the platform. Both the explosions sent shards of stone flying, grazing his arms and legs. By the time he dodged the fourth, sweat dripped down his face, his breaths coming in short, sharp bursts.

    As the fifth blade closed in, Cang Rui suddenly appeared in front of him, moving faster than Chen Ren could process. His claw, burning with purple void qi, rose high, ready to strike the finishing blow.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t hesitate. "[Lightning Frenzy]!" he yelled, letting his qi explode outward. Bolts of lightning erupted from his body in a storm of crackling, raw energy. The arena lit up with the blinding flashes, forcing Cang Rui to pause for a split second.

    One of the bolts struck the claw directly, detonating in a small but powerful blast. The force knocked both of them backwards, Chen Ren skidding across the stone platform while Cang Rui staggered, his eyes lit up in shock.

    The crowd roared around them, their cheers echoing through the arena, shaking the ground. The boo¡¯s that had filled the air just some minutes ago were gone, now in its place were loud applause and shouts of excitement, just what the crowd had wanted. A thrilling fight that was worthy of their bets.

    And it was clear now¡ªthis wasn¡¯t just a one-sided fight. Cang Rui¡¯s attacks were undeniably stronger, his cultivation and techniques overpowering, but Chen Ren¡¯s ability to endure and fight back showed a skill that couldn¡¯t be ignored.

    Even Cang Rui seemed to acknowledge it. A void blade materialized in his hands, its edges shimmering with purple qi. He smirked, his eyes filled with arrogance. "You¡¯ve already exceeded my expectations," he admitted. Then his grin widened. "But I¡¯m not going to hold back anymore."

    Chen Ren wiped the sweat from his brow, his lips curling into a smile. "You can try all you want," he said and shrugged. "I¡¯d be damned if I lost to someone like you."

    The words, as clich¨¦ as they were, seemed to ignite a fire in Cang Rui¡¯s eyes. His smirk twisted into a scowl, and without another word, he launched himself forward. His sword moved so fast that it seemed to multiply, slashing at Chen Ren from every direction at once.

    Chen Ren felt the pressure immediately. Lightning qi surged through his veins as he planted his feet firmly on the ground, choosing not to dodge this time. He countered with his fists, the punch crackling with lightning electricity as it met the void blade head-on.

    The clash of their techniques sent sparks flying through the air. Chen Ren¡¯s punch connected with the blade mid-swing, but the sheer force behind Cang Rui¡¯s strike was overwhelming. The impact hurled Chen Ren backwards, his body skidding across the rough stone.

    Before he could fully recover, Cang Rui was already closing in, his sword raised high for a finishing blow. Chen Ren rolled to the side just as the blade came crashing down, the impact shattering the stone where he had been moments before.

    Gritting his teeth, Chen Ren pushed himself up, but another void Jian blade appeared in the air, its purple energy vivid as it shot toward him. He barely had time to react, his movement technique activating in a burst of lightning. His body blurred out of the way just as the blade slammed into the ground, leaving behind a deep, smouldering crater.

    Cang Rui gave him no chance to breathe. He rushed forward, his sword moving in a flurry of strikes while his movement technique made him faster than ever. The void qi from his attacks filled the air, making it feel like blades were coming from every direction at once.

    Chen Ren was forced on the defensive, dodging frantically. His lightning qi flared with every movement, his body a blur as he avoided strike after strike. But the pressure was immense. Every swing of Cang Rui''s blade brought him closer to death.

    Then Chen Ren remembered Yalan¡¯s advice:

    He closed his eyes for a brief moment, trusting his instincts. The air around him felt heavy, filled with a murky, destructive qi that carried the essence of the void. It wasn¡¯t random¡ªthere was a pattern to it. He shifted his focus, feeling for the direction the qi was flowing.

    As another strike came, he moved¡ªnot away from the blade, but toward the gap where the qi felt weakest. The void blade missed him by inches, slamming into the ground behind him.

    Chen Ren opened his eyes, suddenly feeling twice as confident as he was before. He could feel it now. The destructive qi swirled like a storm, but within the chaos, there were moments of stillness¡ªopenings he could use.

    Within the next few strikes, he moved with more accuracy, narrowly avoiding Cang Rui¡¯s attacks.

    The crowd erupted again, their cheers growing louder as Chen Ren turned what seemed like an impossible situation into one of survival.

    But the battle was far from over. Cang Rui¡¯s attacks showed no sign of slowing, and the void qi in the air only grew heavier. Chen Ren clenched his fists, his lightning qi sparking around him as he prepared for the next move.

    It would have been far harder to dodge if Cang Rui had used a qi aspect like wind or fire. Those elements mixed too easily with the atmosphere, making their flows harder to detect. But Void qi was different¡ªits destructive, hollow nature stood out sharply against the natural energy around them. Chen Ren used this to his advantage, dodging them.

    In hindsight, every missed strike made Cang Rui¡¯s frown deepen.

    Veins began to bulge on his forehead, his frustration turning into visible rage. To make it worse, the crowd was having even more fun, watching Chen Ren avoid Cang Rui¡¯s attacks. He would narrowly miss the latter¡¯s attacks, or they would brush past his skin without causing real damage.

    Despite the increasing pressure, Cang Rui couldn¡¯t land a single solid hit. His voice finally burst out in anger. "Why the fuck are you moving so much?"

    Chen Ren smirked, his breathing steady. "Do you really expect me to just stand here and let you kill me?" he asked in a mocking tone. "It seems like your brain¡¯s stopped working in all that anger."

    The jab struck deeper than the blade ever could. Chen Ren¡¯s sharp eyes noticed the void qi surrounding Cang Rui¡¯s weapons and techniques beginning to flicker and lose cohesion. Anji had been right¡ªanger made it harder to control qi, especially one as volatile as void. This was true for all elements to some degree, but void was particularly unforgiving.

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    Seeing the cracks in Cang Rui¡¯s focus, Chen Ren decided to finally make his move. He relaxed his stance, letting his arms fall to his sides as he took an intentional step backwards. "Alright," he said, his voice carrying clearly over the noise of the arena. "You want me to stand still? Fine. I¡¯ll stay in one place for you."

    Cang Rui¡¯s eyes lit up with fury, his lips curling into a vicious smirk. "You¡¯ll regret that," he snarled, void qi surging around him as he dashed forward. His speed was blinding, the oppressive energy of his attacks crashing toward Chen Ren like a tidal wave.

    But just as he was about to strike, Chen Ren muttered, "Idiot."

    Before Cang Rui could react, he found himself slamming into an invisible wall. The force of the impact made him stagger back, and his gaze shot upward to see a shining barrier trapping him inside. He pressed his hands against the glowing surface, confusion turning into disbelief.

    He looked down where he saw a white line surrounding him.

    The announcer¡¯s voice boomed across the arena. "Incredible! Chen Ren seems to have created a barrier array while dodging those strikes! Who could have seen this coming? He¡¯s an array learner! But the question remains¡ªcan Cang Rui break through it?"

    Cang Rui¡¯s shock quickly gave way to anger as he drew his sword and began slashing at the barrier with all his might. He continued his thrashing with powerful attempts, Void qi crashing against the glowing barrier like a hammer on glass. After a few strikes, a thin crack appeared, and a confident smirk spread across his face.

    "Do you really think something this flimsy can stop me?" he shouted. "I¡¯m far too powerful to lose to a trick like this!"

    Chen Ren stood calmly outside the barrier, his arms crossed as he watched Cang Rui struggle. He tilted his head slightly and frowned. "You¡¯re really stupid," he said flatly.

    Cang Rui paused mid-swing, his smirk faltering.

    "Why do you think I¡¯m just standing here while you¡¯re busy breaking the barrier?" Chen Ren continued, "Do you really think I created it just to hold you?" He gestured downward with his chin. "Look at your feet."

    Cang Rui stared in confusion, his brows furrowing as his gaze shifted downward. His eyes widened in alarm when he spotted multiple fire talismans stuck to his body. They clung to his robes and armour, their dim light throbbing forebodingly.

    Panic set in, and he scrambled to rip them off, but before he could, Chen Ren acted.

    "Too late," Chen Ren muttered.

    He thrust his hand forward, and unleashed his attack, Lighting Frenzy, his most reliable technique, roared to life. Massive arcs of lightning surged from his fingertips, crackling with raw energy as they slammed into the barrier. The lightning travelled through the crack that Cang Rui¡¯s sword had made moments earlier, weaving its way toward one of the talismans. The talisman sparked and ignited instantly, its flame spreading like wildfire.

    Cang Rui reacted instinctively, summoning void qi to form a barrier around himself. But his anger and desperation made the energy wild and unstable. The void qi clashed with the igniting talismans, triggering a violent chain reaction.

    The explosion ripped through the air, shaking the entire arena. Flames and dark, murky void energy swirled together, creating a storm of destruction that made the audience gasp and recoil in shock.

    The ground trembled beneath the force, and smoke shot upward, obscuring the centre of the arena.

    The man was hurled into the air, limbs flailing helplessly at his sides. The sound of bones cracking cut through the chaos, and the nasty stench of burning flesh filled the air. Soon, with a sickening thud, Cang Rui¡¯s charred body crashed to the ground. The force of the body rolled lifelessly before coming to a halt.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t hesitate. He moved towards Cang Ruin immediately, his breathing heavy but controlled. The crowd watched in stunned silence as he got closer. Suddenly, it was almost as if everyone had collectively lost their voice.

    The man lay sprawled on the ground, his body battered, bloodied and broken. His once-pristine robes and leather armour were nearly gone, reduced to smouldering scraps. Burn scars covered his face, and his chest rose and fell weakly as he groaned in unconscious pain. He tried to move, but his hands faltered every time he made an attempt.

    Chen Ren looked down at him, and stared at the man for a moment. "I won," he whispered.

    Straightening up, he turned his attention to the announcer, who stood frozen, mouth slightly agape. Realising the match was over, the announcer quickly snapped out of his daze.

    "Ladies and gentlemen!" the announcer¡¯s voice was loud, trembling with excitement. "Cang Rui is out! Chen Ren has won the round and is advancing to the finals! Let¡¯s hear it for this budding array and talisman master who has shocked everyone in the arena today!"

    The crowd immediately stood up, cheering for Chen Ren and it was far louder than anything he¡¯d heard before. There were no boos this time, no insults hurled his way, no accusations of cheating. Only pure admiration and excitement filled the air as they chanted his name.

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes swept across the stands, taking in the sea of cheering faces. But he wasn¡¯t looking for his friends or allies. His eyes locked onto the VIP section, where the city lord and other dignitaries sat.

    Among them was a man with the shade of purple hair as Cang Rui¡ªhis father. Cang Huasheng¡¯s face had gone pale. Yet when their eyes met, Chen Ren gave him a small, almost imperceptible nod.

    It was a message:

    The latter¡¯s lips tightened, his fists clenched at his sides. But he nodded back, acknowledging the unspoken gesture.

    Without another glance, Chen Ren turned and walked away from the arena.

    ***

    Chen Ren trudged back to his assigned room in the arena, his legs heavy with fatigue. The cheers of the crowd still echoed faintly through the hallways, but he barely registered them¡ªhis mind was already clouded by exhaustion and the lingering adrenaline of the fight. Pushing open the wooden door, he stepped inside and shut it behind him, finally allowing his shoulders to sag.

    The room was small and sparse, with a single chair, a bed, and a basin of water on a stand. He made his way to the chair and sank into it heavily. For a moment, he sat still, staring blankly at the floor, before a sharp twinge of pain reminded him of the toll the battle had taken.

    "Hsss!" He let out a painful yelp as he leaned back too quickly, aggravating the wounds he had sustained. Gritting his teeth, Chen Ren reached up to untie his robe. Blood had seeped through the fabric in several places, sticking it to his skin. Peeling it off was excruciating, but he managed, tossing the torn and bloodied garment onto the floor.

    His torso was a mess. Cuts crisscrossed his chest and arms, some shallow, others deep enough that fresh blood trickled from them. Bruises had begun to form along his ribs, dark patches that ached with every breath. He grimaced as he touched a particularly deep gash on his shoulder, the edges ragged where Cang Rui¡¯s Void-enhanced blade had grazed him.

    Chen Ren rummaged through a pouch at his side, looking down briefly at the medallion he had kept close after getting it from Feng Ming, and pulled out a small vial. Inside were the pills Yalan had given him before the match¡ªhealing pills that were designed to accelerate recovery and bolster his body. He popped one into his mouth, grimacing at the bitter taste that spread across his tongue as he bit down.

    "Ugh, disgusting," he muttered, swallowing it with a wince. Almost immediately, a warm sensation spread through his chest, dulling the pain and slowing the bleeding. He let out a sigh, leaning back in the chair, though the motion still made him wince.

    His mind wandered to the fight. One wrong move, one misstep, and he would¡¯ve been dead. Cang Rui hadn¡¯t held back, and Chen Ren doubted the man would have hesitated to kill him if he¡¯d gotten the chance. But sparing him had been the right call.

    Chen Ren thought, his fingers brushing absentmindedly over the gash on his side.

    He sighed again, running a hand through his sweat-matted hair. His eyes flicked to the remaining pills in the vial.

    If his assumptions were correct¡ªand they usually were¡ªhe¡¯d be facing Li Xuan in the finals. The man had fought with clinical precision in every match so far, barely breaking a sweat. Unlike Cang Rui, who relied on brute strength and fury, Li Xuan was methodical, dismantling his opponents piece by piece.

    Chen Ren clenched his fist, bringing it back from the hair, his nails digging into his palm at the thought of what was about to come.

    "I never expected you to win against Cang Rui,"

    Chen Ren¡¯s head shot up at the voice, his tired eyes narrowing as they landed on the figure in the doorway. Li Xuan stood there, his arms crossed, his posture relaxed yet exuding confidence.

    "Especially after the last time I defeated you."

    Chen Ren blinked, surprised. Of all people, Li Xuan was the last he¡¯d expected to see right now. he thought. But it wasn¡¯t just the man¡¯s unexpected appearance that caught him off guard¡ªit was the realiSation that Li Xuan remembered him.

    "You¡­ remember me?" Chen Ren asked. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    "I remember everyone I fought against," Li Xuan replied, his tone matter-of-fact. "It¡¯s just that not many of them show such rapid improvement in a couple of months."

    Chen Ren couldn¡¯t help the smirk that tugged at the corner of his lips. "You yourself have advanced. Reaching the qi refinement realm since the last time we met is no small feat."

    Li Xuan¡¯s eyes gleamed with confidence. "You and I aren¡¯t the same," he said dismissively, the air around him practically radiating superiority.

    "Yes, I know that," Chen Ren said, leaning back in his chair. "And as you saw, I¡¯ve learned some tricks to make up for my¡­ lack of talent. Trained hard for this." He paused, tilting his head slightly. "But I don¡¯t understand. Why are you here? To remind me of the last time we fought, when I lost?"

    Li Xuan shook his head. "No. I¡¯m here to tell you to prepare." He took a step closer, his voice dropping slightly. "My match is next. Once I defeat Gu Tian, we¡¯ll be fighting in just a couple of hours."

    Chen Ren raised an eyebrow.

    Li Xuan¡¯s gaze sharpened, his tone steady but firm. "I held back a lot the last time we fought. But I won¡¯t be doing the same this time, especially not after seeing how much you¡¯ve improved. I don¡¯t want to end up like Cang Rui." He paused, a small smirk playing on his lips. "So, make sure you¡¯ve got more tricks lined up. Because I¡¯ll be prepared for the ones you¡¯ve already shown."

    With that, Li Xuan turned on his heel and walked out, leaving Chen Ren staring after him, his expression caught between amusement and exasperation.

    "What¡¯s with him?" Chen Ren muttered, shaking his head. His lips quivered into a hesitant smile. "Is he actually a Xianxia protagonist, spouting those clich¨¦ lines?"

    He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck before leaning back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly as his smirk grew.

    "Bad for you, Li Xuan," he murmured. "I haven¡¯t even shown half the tricks I¡¯ve prepared."

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

 Chapter 51: Thousand Poison Tongue

    As the pills did their work, Chen Ren moved to the arena stands where his people were sitting for the second round of the semifinals. The matches were all scheduled for the same day, largely due to the mounting tension from recent demonic cultivator attacks and the city wanting to wrap up the tournament quickly.

    As Chen Ren moved through the crowd to where Tang Xiulan and others should be, a few spectators recognised him. Not only did they do, but some cheered for him with their fists in the air.

    He also noticed a group of kids looking at him with wide, sparkling eyes. Some kids among them had their mouths hung open. Cultivators were revered in Cloud Mist City, thanks to the proximity of the Soaring Sword Sect, and these children undoubtedly dreamed of one day reaching such heights.

    Their sparkly eyes filled him with an odd sense of pride and awkwardness as if he were a fabled hero plucked from a storybook. Heavens, he was not.

    Still, he offered them a small wave and moved past, scanning the stands for familiar faces.

    Fortunately, he didn¡¯t have to search for long. Tang Xiulan stood near an improvised stall, selling ice cream and fried chips alongside Anji. Qing He and Tang Yuqiu sat nearby, with Yalan sprawled lazily on Qing He¡¯s lap. Despite her relaxed posture, Yalan stirred the moment Chen Ren approached, cracking one eye open. Chen Ren gave a small nod to her and looked around. The kids stood on their seats, craning their necks for a better view of the arena grounds.

    Everyone was excited for what was about to come, and so was he. When he got closer, Xiulan approached. Her eyes widened in concern as she looked for any scratch or injury on his face. ¡°Young Master! Are you okay? Congratulations on your victory, but are you really uninjured?¡±

    ¡°Minor scratches,¡± Chen Ren replied with a faint smile. ¡°I took a pill. I¡¯ll be fine before the next match. Don¡¯t worry about it now. Did you close the noodle stall?¡±

    Xiulan nodded. ¡°Yes, young master. The kids were begging me to let them watch the semifinals and finals. They¡¯ve been working hard, so they missed all the earlier rounds. Besides, most people are here to see the end of battles anyway.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s okay,¡± Chen Ren said with a shrug. ¡°I¡¯m curious about who I¡¯m going to fight next, too.¡±

    Xiulan smiled, pulling out a scoop of ice cream and holding it to him. ¡°Then you should sit and watch. Relax for a bit and eat this. The heat¡¯s unbearable.¡±

    He considered brushing it off¡ªthe heat didn¡¯t bother him much thanks to his cultivation¡ªbut thought better of it. Taking the scoop, he moved to sit next to Qing He and Tang Yuqiu.

    ¡°Congratulations on your victory,¡± Yuqiu greeted him, smiling ¡°Thanks to you, I¡¯m going to make a killing in the betting market. Don¡¯t forget to win the finals too.¡±

    ¡°Against Li Xuan?¡± Chen Ren arched a brow, biting into the ice cream. ¡°Even I¡¯m not sure I can win against him.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu laughed, waving off his doubts with a dismissive hand in the air. ¡°Just do your best and don¡¯t lose within the first five minutes. I¡¯ve got my reputation as a savvy bettor to maintain!¡±

    Qing He leaned back, her eyes never leaving the arena grounds as she spoke in a very pointed tone. ¡°It¡¯s not decided that you¡¯re going to fight him. People who assume things before they happen often find themselves... surprised.¡±

    Chen Ren glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Are you saying Li Xuan¡¯s going to lose? Or is this just another one of your old lady proverbs?¡±

    Qing He scoffed, her lips tightening to a thin line. ¡°Take it however you want.¡±

    Yalan, still draped lazily on Qing He¡¯s lap, chimed in without opening her eyes fully.

    Chen Ren admitted, his gaze drifting toward the arena below.

    His thoughts raised questions and possibilities about the way these women looked at the tournament. He couldn¡¯t blame them¡ªthere was some truth in their words. No one knew what would come, and every fight seemed to reveal different beasts hidden in these cultivators. However¡ª

    A loud clap echoed through the air, drawing their attention. The official stepped into the centre of the arena, his booming announcement silencing the crowd. Chen Ren¡¯s eyes narrowed as he spotted Li Xuan and Gu Tian entering from opposite sides, their auras already clashing as they looked at each other with narrowed gazes.

    Soon, the official spoke. ¡°After the first semifinal, only one spot remains to challenge Chen Ren! Will Li Xuan maintain his title as the city¡¯s prodigy, or will Gu Tian, the dark horse of the tournament surprise us all with an upset? Let¡¯s find out!¡±

    After the introduction that got him a lot of cheers, the official launched into an explanation of the rules¡ªthe same ones that were announced before he fought, but Chen Ren¡¯s focus remained on the two competitors. Li Xuan stood on one end, his blade glowing faintly. Gu Tian stood on the other end, the man¡¯s face devoid of any emotions, only primal hunger in his eyes.

    By the end of the rules, both of them were gripping their weapons tightly, eager to begin the fight.

    ¡°Begin!¡± the official yelled, stepping back.

    Gu Tian wasted no time. With a devastating shout, he dashed forward, his sword raised high. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting to fight the city¡¯s genius! Let¡¯s see how long you last!¡±

    Li Xuan smirked, raising his own sword to block the strike. Sparks danced along his blade as lightning surged to meet the impact.

    ¡°You talk too much for someone this weak,¡± Li Xuan said and smiled. ¡°Credit where it¡¯s due¡ªyou¡¯ve made it this far. But this is the end.¡±

    With a sharp twist of his wrist, Li Xuan deflected the blow and surged forward, his blade crackling with lightning as he countered with blistering speed. The air thrummed as his sword arced toward Gu Tian¡ªbut the strike found only empty space.

    Chen Ren blinked, his breath catching as Gu Tian¡¯s figure blurred, reappearing a split second later behind Li Xuan. The sharp clang of steel echoed as Li Xuan twisted just in time to intercept the next strike.

    ¡°He moved so fast,¡± Chen Ren muttered under his breath, his eyes fixed on Gu Tian¡¯s fluid movements.

    ¡°It¡¯s not an ordinary movement technique,¡± Qing He explained while squinting her eyes to take a better look at what was happening. ¡°I¡¯ve seen something like it before. Cultivators who specialize in stealth use it. That one¡¯s at least Earth grade.¡±

    Chen Ren frowned.

    Back in the arena, the battle intensified.

    Lightning surged from Li Xuan¡¯s blade¡ªsharp and crackling, making the air thick static as the ground scorched beneath his attacks. But Gu Tian moved between the strikes, his movements seamless, each dodge bringing him closer to his opponent. It was clear that Li Xuan wasn''t able to keep up with Gu Tian''s movements and was blindly attacking him.

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    With a sudden burst of speed, Gu Tian finally closed the gap, his sword cutting a clean line through the air and striking Li Xuan¡¯s side. The crowd was suddenly on their feet, and the entire arena erupted into gasps and cheers as the prodigy staggered, his face scrunched up with disbelief.

    Chen Ren leaned forward as he tried to analyse the incoming strikes. The fight was far from over, but one thing was clear¡ªthis battle was going to be much closer than anyone had expected.

    Gu Tian¡¯s blade connected, but instead of tearing flesh, a golden light flared around Li Xuan¡¯s body. The impact reverberated through the arena, and Gu Tian was forced to leap back as sparks scattered from his strike.

    Li Xuan sneered, his sword glowing as he stepped forward. ¡°You think brute force is enough to pierce my shield?¡± His voice was loud, and his confidence flared, making the crowd roar in response.

    Without hesitation, he raised his blade high, lightning crackling along its edge. ¡°One Slash Strike!¡±

    The air seemed to split as his sword came down, a blazing arc of energy tearing toward Gu Tian. But just as the strike neared, Gu Tian¡¯s body twisted impossibly. With a burst of acrobatics, he vaulted into the air, flipping over Li Xuan¡¯s head with breathtaking precision.

    As he landed, Gu Tian spun and lashed out with a sharp kick, his heel slamming into Li Xuan¡¯s back. The force pushed the prodigy forward several steps, and his eyes burned with fury as lightning began to surge wildly around him.

    ¡°You¡¯ll regret that!¡± Li Xuan roared.

    The storm intensified, streaks of lightning shooting out from his body, moving through the ground and forming a shimmering cage around the arena. The electricity crackled menacingly, the energy radiating so fiercely that the ground beneath their feet began to scorch visibly.

    Chen Ren leaned forward, his fingers gripping the edge of his seat. ¡°He¡¯s trapping him,¡± he murmured.

    Gu Tian¡¯s movements faltered as the lightning struck him from all directions, crackling against his skin. His eyes narrowed, as if he was surprised for a moment by Li Xuan¡¯s tactic. But instead of collapsing, his body began to change. A dull sheen coated his form, his skin hardening like tempered steel. It glistened all of a sudden, making the man look unnatural.

    ¡°Impressive,¡± Li Xuan said, closing the distance between them in an instant. ¡°But it won¡¯t save you.¡±

    With a shout, he swung his blade in another One Slash Strike, the power radiating from his weapon enough to send visible ripples through the air.

    Then, just as the strike was about to land, Gu Tian smirked. In one swift motion, he tilted his head back and spewed a dark, viscous liquid from his mouth.

    The crowd gasped as the black substance splattered across Li Xuan¡¯s body. His movements faltered instantly, his limbs trembling as his sword dropped slightly.

    ¡°What is this?!¡± Li Xuan growled, staggering back. His previously fluid movements became sluggish, his breathing labored.

    ¡°Out of nowhere, Gu Tian has sprayed what appears to be poison on Li Xuan!¡± the official shouted, his voice echoing across the stunned arena. ¡°Will the reigning champion recover?¡±

    The lightning cage dissipated, its crackling energy fading as Li Xuan¡¯s control wavered. Gu Tian wasted no time. He lunged forward, his blade a blur as it slashed into Li Xuan¡¯s stomach.

    Li Xuan gasped, blood staining his robes as his glare locked onto Gu Tian. Lightning surged from his hand in a desperate strike, but the once-deadly arcs fizzled weakly, lacking their usual precision and force.

    Gu Tian sidestepped the attack with ease, his movement technique allowing him to flow like water. He struck again and again, each blow chipping away at Li Xuan¡¯s defenses.

    Chen Ren watched in tense silence, his eyes darting between the fighters. ¡°That poison... it¡¯s affecting his qi flow. He can¡¯t channel his energy properly.¡±

    Gu Tian pressed his advantage, raising his blade for the finishing blow. Just as the sword came down, Li Xuan¡¯s head in its path, Gu Tian froze.

    For a moment, the arena was silent except for the faint hum of dissipating lightning. Gu Tian¡¯s expression hardened, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face. Then, with a growl, he stepped back and drove his foot into Li Xuan¡¯s chest, sending the champion sprawling out of the bloodstained arena floor.

    The official, his face a mix of shock and awe, stammered. ¡°Gu Tian... wins! Last year¡¯s champion, Li Xuan, has fallen!¡± He yelled the last part.

    The crowd erupted, their cheers shaking the arena. ¡°It¡¯s been a tournament full of surprises!¡± the official continued, his voice climbing over the noise. ¡°For the first time in years, two young cultivators will face off in the finals. Who will claim victory?!¡±

    Chen Ren sat back, his heart pounding as he stared at the battered form of Li Xuan being carried off the field. He kept the ice cream bowl away and inhaled deeply. He couldn¡¯t drag his eyes away from the bloodied spot where Li Xuan had been dragged off moments ago. His mind churned with questions as he turned to Qing He and Yalan, his brow furrowed.

    "What kind of poison was that? And why didn¡¯t it affect Gu Tian, considering it was in his mouth all this time?"

    Qing He crossed her arms. ¡°It¡¯s likely . It¡¯s infamous for paralyzing the body and making it nearly impossible to channel qi. It¡¯s hard to defend against, especially when applied like that¡ªdirectly to the skin.¡± She paused. ¡°As for why Gu Tian wasn¡¯t affected, it might be because he¡ª¡±

    Yalan cut her off. ¡°,¡± she said, drawing Chen Ren¡¯s attention. She purred as if this was an interesting topic of conversation.

    Chen Ren¡¯s jaw tightened as he processed her explanation.

    Yalan¡¯s voice broke through his thoughts. ¡°

    Chen Ren nodded. He looked back at Gu Tian, who now met his gaze with an unsettling calm, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He soon turned around and waved at the raging crowd with an eerie calmness.

    The crowd¡¯s cheers echoed in Chen Ren¡¯s ears, but all he could hear was the sound of his own heartbeat.

    ***

    Gu Tian''s gaze followed the city guards as they carried Li Xuan¡¯s paralyzed body from the arena. The defeated champion still managed to glare at him, his eyes burning with anger. But Gu Tian had already stopped caring. Li Xuan was a nuisance, no more. What truly gnawed at him now was the bitter frustration of being denied the kill.

    His jaw tightened as he thought,

    A voice echoed in his mind, ancient and rough. ¡°You¡¯rehis master spat.

    Gu Tian¡¯s lips curled into a sneer.

    His master¡¯s voice was cold and cutting.

    Gu Tian chuckled darkly.

    his master shot back.

    Gu Tian¡¯s grin faded as he exhaled deeply, his gaze sweeping over the stands. he thought to himself.  S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    His mind drifted to the moment of revelation. His master had sensed the medallion during a casual stroll through the arena stands, its faint, unique qi signature unmistakable. Fate, it seemed, had aligned perfectly. It was with the one opponent standing between him and victory: Chen Ren.

    Gu Tian¡¯s eyes darkened. He had infiltrated countless clans, risked his life in the shadows, and endured endless failures in his quest to find the medallion. Yet now, it was right in front of him, within reach.

    he thought, his fists tightening.

    He whispered aloud, a smirk tugging at his lips, ¡°Just one battle more.¡±

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

 Chapter 52: Vs Gu Tian

    Chen Ren sat cross-legged in the room that was allocated for him. The faraway muffled noise of the crowd in the arena could be heard and felt by him due to the sheer number of people cheering even before the fight had started.

    Yet, he managed to ignore all of them. Instead, he focused on his dantian. His steadied his breath, his qi flowing smoothly through his meridians. He inhaled the herbal scent from his pills and slowly deepened his focus. His injuries had already healed, therefore, he had no physical distraction, leaving him powerful.

    By now, the idea of losing to a sixth-star body forging realm cultivator would have been laughable. His strength, his techniques, his strategies¡ªthey had all carried him through countless battles. But he knew this wasn¡¯t just any opponent.

    It was Gu Tian.

    The man carried surprises, much like himself.

    Chen Ren could sense it¡ªGu Tian walked a unique path, just like him. His fight against Li Xuan had revealed glimpses of those secrets¡ª Earth-grade techniques, the infamous thousand poison tongue. Regardless, there was something dangerous about him, something that gnawed at his instincts.

    He tried to calm his thoughts, to focus on his breathing and to remind himself of his abilities. He had faced danger before¡ªCang Rui had been an annoying opponent, a formidable one at that, and Chen Ren had outmanoeuvred him with wit and tactics.

    But this was different. Against Gu Tian, for the first time in a while, he wasn¡¯t sure of his victory.

    The faint sound of rustling broke his focus. His eyes snapped open, and he found Yalan sitting in front of him.

    ¡°The fight is going to start soon,¡± she said.

    ¡°Did you find anything more about Gu Tian?¡±

    Yalan shook her head. ¡°No. He kept to himself since the last fight, locked in his room. My senses picked up a conversation, but I couldn¡¯t hear much from outside. He wasn¡¯t alone, though. Whoever he¡¯s talking to¡­ it¡¯s someone important. Right now, my theory is that he belongs to a major clan and that''s why, he has Earth grade techniques in his arsenal.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°You think he¡¯s from a major clan?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s possible. There¡¯s a Gu Clan on the western side of the empire, but they don¡¯t deal in poisons. And I doubt they¡¯d be generous enough to grant Earth-grade techniques to a wandering member. He might have gotten those techniques from elsewhere.¡±

    ¡°Like a ruin or some legacy from a rogue cultivator?¡± Chen Ren suggested.

    ¡°Maybe,¡± she admitted. ¡°Young cultivators with inherited legacies do appear from time to time. But knowing his background won¡¯t give you much of an advantage. Focus on what you¡¯ve seen. The man is cunning, and he¡¯s not above using underhanded tactics.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded at Yalan''s words. "I know that. He uses poisons and Earth-grade techniques. It¡¯s unfortunate I never practiced any body fortification techniques," he said, his tone tinged with regret.

    Yalan gave him a small, encouraging purr. "Just be quick. You¡¯re light on your feet, and unlike Li Xuan, you¡¯re clever enough to keep an eye out for the poison. Use that to your advantage."

    "I¡¯ll handle it," Chen Ren replied and pushed himself up from his meditative stance.

    Together, they walked to the arena grounds, the echoes of the crowd¡¯s jubilant cheers growing louder with every step. The shouts and clamour swelled like a tidal wave as Chen Ren came into view, the energy of the audience washing over him. His eyes scanned the sea of faces, and he noticed something different this time¡ªmore people were cheering for him.

    Was it his win against Cang Rui? His resourcefulness? Whatever the reason, he couldn¡¯t let them down now.

    As he approached the stage, his gaze locked onto Gu Tian, standing at the opposite end. The man offered a simple nod, calm and unbothered, as though this was just another sparring match.

    Chen Ren returned the nod and turned his focus to the official in the center of the stage. The man raised a hand, signaling the crowd to quiet down.

    "Before the final match begins, we are honored to hear a few words from our esteemed city lord, Li Baolong," the official announced, his voice booming across the arena.

    All eyes turned to the city lord, who rose from his elevated seat. He looked over the crowd and waved at them, calming down the cheers that came his way.

    "When this tournament was announced, Cloud Mist City was shrouded in dark clouds," Li Baolong began. "Demonic cultivator attacks had left us shaken. Many advised me to cancel this event, to avoid gathering so many people in one place. But I was stubborn. I believed in the resilience of the people and cultivators of Cloud Mist City and the surrounding regions. I believed that a mere demonic cultivator would not be able to scare us into submission. And all of you¡ªevery single one of you¡ªhave proved me right."

    A thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd, echoing his sentiment.

    Li Baolong raised a hand to quiet them once more. "Hundreds of young cultivators gathered here to prove their mettle. We have seen great battles, acts of courage, and strategies that rival even the most experienced warriors. And now, only two remain. Two cultivators who have surprised us all and earned their place here today."

    His gaze briefly swept over Chen Ren and Gu Tian.

    "Whoever wins today, know this: both of you are talented and determined. I have no doubt that you will rise through the realms and make your names known across the Empire. With that, I leave the stage to you. May the final fight of this tournament be a spectacle that we will remember for years to come."

    The city lord¡¯s words hung in the air, the crowd roaring their approval once more. Chen Ren took a deep breath, his focus narrowing as he stepped onto the stage, ready for the battle that would define the tournament.

    As the city lord took his seat, the official stepped forward, his voice calm but authoritative as he addressed the arena.

    ¡°The rules for the final round are clear, the same as before! Fatal strikes are allowed. You may cripple or kill your opponent, and any items the fallen cultivator possesses will be yours. Beyond that, the same criterias for disqualification apply: leaving the stage means defeat, surrender means defeat, and, of course, death means defeat. Now, let the final battle of this year''s tournament begin!¡±

    The gong rang, a deep, reverberating sound that seemed to shake the ground beneath Chen Ren''s feet.

    He barely had time to prepare when a wave of killing intent washed over him, freezing him in place for a heartbeat. It wasn¡¯t just pressure; it was suffocating. Unlike anything he¡¯d felt before¡ªnot even in Gu Tian¡¯s fight with Li Xuan. The crowd let out a collective gasp, their cheers momentarily silenced.

    Chen Ren¡¯s instincts screamed at him as he met Gu Tian¡¯s eyes. In that one second, every thought he had about his opponent changed.

    No, this wasn¡¯t some lucky cultivator who¡¯d stumbled upon a legacy. This was someone who had killed¡ªa lot. And now, Gu Tian looked at him with the same gaze a predator reserves for its prey.

    That moment of hesitation nearly cost him. A glint of steel flashed in the air as Gu Tian''s blade descended. Chen Ren barely managed to leap aside, the sharp edge carving through the spot where he had just stood.

    But there was no reprieve. Gu Tian vanished and reappeared beside him in a blur, his Earth-grade movement technique making him impossibly fast. Chen Ren reacted on instinct, activating [Lightning Frenzy], unleashing crackling arcs of electricity in every direction.

    Gu Tian jumped back with an almost casual grace, weaving through the chaotic lightning as though it were no more than an inconvenience. The gap he created was gone in an instant as he closed the distance again, his blade coming down in a relentless blur.

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    Chen Ren gritted his teeth as he narrowed his eyes and tracked the sword¡¯s peculiar, almost hypnotic movements. It wasn¡¯t a simple attack¡ªthis was a sword technique, one designed to confuse and overwhelm. He deflected one strike, then another, each one coming closer than the last, until¡ª Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    A sharp pain shot through his shoulder as the edge of Gu Tian¡¯s blade grazed him, slicing through his robe and leaving a shallow wound. Blood trickled down, but Chen Ren didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, he slammed his palm into his pouch, pulling out several fire talismans.

    With a surge of qi, he activated them, channelling the power through his lightning. The air around him exploded in a wave of searing heat as flames erupted, forcing Gu Tian to stumble back.

    The flames licked at Gu Tian¡¯s robe, scorching his hand, but he didn¡¯t falter. Instead, his expression darkened as he reached into his robes, pulling out three small blades. With a flick of his wrist, they shot toward Chen Ren, each one whistling through the air with deadly precision.

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes widened, his mind racing. He had no time to dodge all three.

    His reflexes kicked in as the daggers shot toward him. Instead of dodging, he reached into his pouch and flung a handful of white powder into the air, chanting quickly under his breath. A translucent barrier shimmered into existence just in time to block the incoming projectiles.

    One dagger, however, phased partially through the barrier. The mystical shield slowed it just enough for Chen Ren to sidestep, snatching the weapon midair. His eyes darted to its edge¡ªdripping with a slick, dark liquid.

    Before he could react further, Gu Tian closed the distance, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Chen Ren countered, activating [Thundering Fist] as his fist crackled with lightning, surging forward to meet the attack. His punch landed squarely on Gu Tian¡¯s chest.

    But instead of the satisfying impact of flesh and bone, it felt like striking solid stone. Gu Tian didn¡¯t so much as flinch. His grin widened, teeth flashing as he licked his lips like a dog.

    "You won''t get past my techniques," Gu Tian taunted. "I''ll kill you and take the medallion."

    Chen Ren¡¯s brow furrowed. "Medallion?" he muttered, but there was no time to process the cryptic statement. Gu Tian''s blade was already coming down on him.

    Chen Ren darted back, only to feel the cold edge of the platform beneath his heels. Trapped¡ªnowhere to dodge forward without meeting Gu Tian¡¯s blade or throwing himself off the stage.

    Gu Tian smirked, lunging for the kill.

    Desperate, Chen Ren pulled out another talisman, its glowing edges catching Gu Tian¡¯s attention. The grin on his opponent¡¯s face widened.

    "Another fire talisman?" Gu Tian scoffed, sidestepping smoothly. "Your tricks won¡¯t work¡ª"

    Before he could finish, Chen Ren burned the talisman with his lightning. "I don¡¯t only carry fire talismans," he muttered.

    In an instant, a brilliant flash of blinding light engulfed the battlefield. Gu Tian cried out, staggering as he covered his eyes, momentarily disoriented.

    Chen Ren, who had closed his eyes before activating the [Blinding Talisman], claimed the opportunity. He charged forward, his fist crackling with lightning again. This time, his [Thundering Fist] connected squarely with Gu Tian¡¯s jaw, sending him flying back.

    Gu Tian crashed heavily onto the platform, the force of the impact sending cracks spidering across the surface. But Chen Ren didn¡¯t hold back. He surged forward and continuously punched his face. Each blow echoed across the arena, drawing gasps from the crowd.

    Gu Tian gritted his teeth, forcing himself to regain his footing.

    With a swift motion, he threw a flurry of daggers, the deadly blades gleaming as they shot toward Chen Ren.

    Seeing the attack, Chen Ren propelled himself into the air. His movements were agile as he dodged the projectiles. Yet, as he hung momentarily in the air, his body twisted mid-flight, he realized the leap had left him wide open to a counterattack.

    Gu Tian retrieved his blade, lunging forward to cover the distance between them. His speed was terrifying, but just as he closed in, Chen Ren¡¯s eyes began to glow faintly.

    Gu Tian froze mid-charge, his instincts flaring as he sensed an incoming attack.

    Gu Tian muttered something incomprehensible under his breath, stepping back cautiously, his blade poised.

    But nothing happened.

    Chen Ren smirked. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled the poisoned dagger he¡¯d caught earlier straight at Gu Tian.

    "Who said glowing eyes meant an attack?!" Chen Ren quipped.

    The dagger flew true, striking Gu Tian square in the chest. For a moment, Chen Ren saw victory on the horizon. Without hesitation, he launched forward, his movement technique propelling him toward his downed opponent. His fist shot out, crackling with lightning, ready to end it.

    But just as his first punch landed, Gu Tian¡¯s body convulsed violently. A foul, dark liquid erupted from his mouth, spraying out in a torrent of poison. Chen Ren barely managed to twist away in time, but the poison splattered across his arm, sizzling against his skin.

    He quickly jumped back, shaking his arm free of the venom. But Gu Tian wasn¡¯t finished. The man almost seemed to revel in the chaos he created. The poison kept spraying, jetting from his mouth in a continuous stream, and the stage below them began to melt, the once sturdy stone now eating away into nothingness. Chen Ren¡¯s eyes widened. There was nowhere to run.

    Every inch of the arena was being consumed by the toxic spray. The crowd¡¯s collective gasp echoed as the platform began to crack and decay, unable to withstand the powerful venom that Gu Tian expelled with such ease.

    Chen Ren looked back at his opponent, and the sight almost froze his blood.

    Despite blood dripping out from the wounds he had given him, Gu Tian¡¯s grin only widened¡ªa bloodthirsty, maniacal smile that radiated with a terrifying, almost psychotic rage. It was the kind of grin that made Chen Ren¡¯s instincts flare with unease. Poison dripping down his mouth just added to the effect.

    Something was really wrong with this man. Really, fucking wrong.

    The air grew heavier as Gu Tian, blood dripping from his wounds, lunged forward again.

    His movements flickered like a shadow, impossibly fast and hard to follow. Chen Ren struggled to track him, but he didn¡¯t waver. His mind sharpened, blocking out the pain and the poison that surrounded him.

    He thought of a way out of it. There was no way to run with the poison melting the stage and it gave Gu Tian a big advantage. As his mind ran to find a way out, a plan formed.

    Chen Ren quickly pulled out a handful of talismans, his fingers moving with precision as he threw them into the air. The paper strips fluttered before igniting with flashes of lightning as their power activated. Energy surged in the air, crackling like a brewing storm. Just as Gu Tian¡¯s blade swept toward him, Chen Ren acted.

    He dashed forward, stepping onto the talismans, which solidified into stone under his feet. Without pause, he used the makeshift platforms to launch himself high into the air. The crowd erupted as he soared over Gu Tian, who looked up in surprise.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t waste the opening. From above, he unleashed [Lightning Frenzy], a rapid flurry of electric strikes that rained down on Gu Tian. Lightning crackled as the blows landed. And it left Gu Tian stunned and struggling to defend himself. His hands came to his face, trying to avoid the attacks, but his body convulsed with each hit.

    Before the latter could recover, Chen Ren landed in front of him, his fist crackling with raw energy.

    With one swift motion, he drove it into Gu Tian¡¯s stomach. The impact sent shockwaves rippling across the platform, hurling Gu Tian through the air.

    He crashed past the edge of the arena, falling hard and motionless.

    The crowd roared as Chen Ren stood at the center of the stage, breathing heavily but victorious. The poison sizzling on the platform no longer mattered. Gu Tian lay outside the ring, bloodied and defeated.

    Chen Ren, though battered, stood tall, a rare sense of calm washing over him.

    It had been a difficult fight, but he had won. Yes, he had finally won.

    The arena trembled, the ground beneath them shaking as the official''s voice rang out. "Gu Tian is out of bounds and disqualified. Chen Ren wins the match and the tournament! Give a loud applause for him!"

    The roar of the crowd surged around him again, deafening in its intensity. The applause was overwhelming, each clap like a thunderous wave crashing against the walls of the arena. The stadium was alive with jubilant celebration, the energy of thousands of voices echoing through the air.

    But for Chen Ren, it all felt distant. His legs buckled, and he fell to his knees, exhausted beyond belief. The adrenaline that had carried him through the battle was beginning to wear off, leaving him with the weight of his own fatigue. His chest heaved with shallow breaths, the aftershocks of the fight still rippling through his body.

    Slowly, his eyes drifted across the arena. The cheers. The people celebrating. The knowledge that he had won. His mind tried to catch up with the reality of it, and a small, disbelieving smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He had done it. He had won the tournament.

    But then, a faint whisper reached his ears, something cold and malicious. "No, it can''t be like this. I can''t lose. Not to you. Not to such trash."

    Chen Ren¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and his gaze snapped downward. His eyes locked onto Gu Tian, lying in a pool of blood and poison, the remnants of their fight still hanging heavy in the air. Despite the state he was in, Gu Tian''s eyes burned with a hatred so intense it felt like it could consume everything around him.

    Chen Ren¡¯s blood ran cold as he watched the man, whose body should have been limp and unconscious, begin to twitch.

    A low growl escaped from his throat, and before Chen Ren could react, something inside him snapped.

    The man''s eyes, once dark and full of malice, shifted¡ªturning a deep crimson. An immediate wave of energy seemed to ripple out from Gu Tian''s form, extremely dark and repulsie like an entire storm brewing beneath his skin. The bloodied figure stood, impossibly, his robes simmering as dark chains erupted out of it, wrapping around Chen Ren like tendrils of doom.

    Dark energy emanated from Gu Tian, rolling outward in waves, coating everything with an oppressive aura. The entire arena seemed to freeze for a moment, the temperature dropping, and Chen Ren¡¯s skin prickled as though he were standing in the presence of something he shouldn¡¯t.

    His eyes widened, his body instinctively tensing. "What... is this?"

    Before he could make sense of it, a familiar voice cut through the air. Yalan.

 Chapter 53: Heavenly qi

    Life was unfair, and the heavens even more so. They always tried to shoot down anyone who dared to rise too high, as though they despised those who challenged their fate. Gu Tian had learned this bitter truth long ago, back in his childhood, when his cultivation had been destroyed¡ªnot by an enemy, but by his own cousin.

    His cousin, the young master of the main branch of the Gu family, had been his equal once. Gu Tian, a rising star from one of the lower branches, had shone brightly, his talents praised by all and had rivalled him. But in one fateful moment, it was all taken away. Crippled and humiliated, he was cast aside like broken pottery, no longer useful or admired.

    Instead, he was bullied. The clan sneered at him, his peers mocked him, and even his fianc¨¦e publicly broke off their engagement, leaving him in disgrace.

    That was his life¡ªbroken, unfair, laughable. Until he found the ring.

    The old, worn ring he had stumbled upon by chance held his salvation. Inside it dwelled the spirit of a legendary alchemist and demonic cultivator. The master within the ring had shown him that the heavens could be defied, that there were ways to claw back what fate had stolen. Gu Tian, who was mentally exhausted from everything that was going on with him, didn¡¯t hesitate to abandon what was called the ¡®righteous path¡¯.

    And like he¡¯d expected, things changed for him¡ªfor good.

    His master healed him, painstakingly rebuilding his shattered cultivation. In return, Gu Tian offered his loyalty, embracing the darkness that had given him a second chance. His revenge was swift and brutal. The cousin who had destroyed him fell to his blade, and with bloodied hands, Gu Tian severed his ties to the Gu family forever, banished but finally free. That was all that mattered, didn¡¯t it?

    He soon started wandering the vast lands of the Kalian Empire, and with every challenge that was thrown his way, he grew. Each victory reinforced his belief that he could rise above the heavens themselves, just like his master had told him.

    When he joined a demonic sect hell bent on breaking apart the heavens to reach newfound realms, his master approved. Slowly, he had proven his worth in the sect until he had been looked upon as someone promising and had been tasked with finding the medallion that would unlock the Gate of Immortals.

    His master had already intended to look for it, so the decision was made quickly.

    That quest led him to Cloud Mist City, a place brimming with danger and opportunity. Though obstacles arose, he overcame them, his confidence growing with every success.

    Defeating Li Xuan, a prodigy of the Soaring Sword Sect, had been his crowning achievement so far. In that moment, standing over his fallen opponent, he had felt invincible.

    The medallion also had been within his grasp with his next opponent Chen Ren being in possession of it. The heavens trembled before him, and Gu Tian was certain of one thing: he would seize immortality and make the heavens kneel.

    But just as he was one step away from claiming the medallion after supposedly killing Chen Ren, everything fell apart. Gu Tian had lost¡ªlost to tricks and deceit, to the careful concealment of power that Chen Ren had used and a lapse of judgment.

    And as the official declared Chen Ren the victor, something inside Gu Tian snapped.

    He remembered the humiliation of his youth, the day his cousin had shattered his cultivation. Back then, it hadn¡¯t been a head-on fight but a web of schemes and traps. And now, here he was again, standing on the edge of greatness, only to be dragged down by trickery. After becoming a demonic cultivator, Gu Tian had never truly lost. Yes, there were times when he had to flee, but he always called it a strategic retreat, never a defeat.

    But now, with Chen Ren basking in the crowd¡¯s cheers, something dark and primal clawed its way to the surface. Gu Tian clenched his fists, his voice low and venomous. ¡°I haven¡¯t lost yet,¡± he whispered, just loud enough for Chen Ren to hear.

    Inside his mind, his master¡¯s voice echoed urgently. By now he knew that his master had a good idea of his personality and quirks; how far his anger could go, and what he could do when he would snap.

    Gu Tian¡¯s face twisted with fury, his eyes locked onto Chen Ren¡¯s triumphant figure. ¡°I won¡¯t get another chance!¡± he hissed, saying the words out loud. ¡°You said it yourself¡ªthere¡¯s a strong presence around him. If I wait, I¡¯ll never be able to reach him. I¡¯ll kill him now and make him suffer for this disgrace. Then we¡¯ll run.¡±

    his master¡¯s voice rang in his mind, loud and clear.

    But his words fell on deaf ears. Gu Tian unleashed the demonic qi sealed within him, the dark energy radiating outward in waves, big and harmful. His eyes darkened, their colour shifting to crimson.

    ¡°I¡¯ve hidden for long enough,¡± Gu Tian growled. He raised a trembling hand. The air around him grew heavy as he whispered, ¡°Chains of Confinement.¡±

    Dark chains burst from his body, writhing like living tendrils, their sharp edges gleaming in the air. The crowd gasped in shock, their cheers turning to cries of alarm.

    A loud laughter escaped Gu Tian¡¯s lips when he saw Chen Ren. The man, caught off guard, could only watch as the chains shot toward him. He tried to call upon his lightning qi, his body crackling with energy, but the chains moved faster. They wrapped around his arms and legs, pulling him down to the ground and pinning him in place.

    Gu Tian rose to his feet, his eyes cold and unrelenting. He tilted his head mockingly and grinned.

    He walked towards Chen Ren, and with every step, the air grew thicker with his demonic qi, suffocating those nearby. The crowd scrambled back in panic, some shouting in terror, others frozen in fear.

    The official who had just declared the match hurriedly fled the arena, abandoning any pretence of maintaining order.

    The cultivators in the audience began to stir, their weapons drawn, but Gu Tian didn¡¯t stop. He glared at Chen Ren, his voice low and menacing. ¡°Who the fuck do you think you¡¯re? You thought you could humiliate me? Just like that? You¡¯ll pay for this with your life.¡±

    The stage trembled under the preparations of his unleashed power as he was about to strike, uncaring of the consequences that would follow.

    As the demonic qi swirled, a dark silhouette emerged above Gu Tian, growing larger and more defined. His master¡¯s ghostly form materialized¡ªa tall, lean figure with hollow, glowing eyes that radiated a red glow.

    The ghostly figure raised a hand and a barrier of shimmering black energy formed around the entire stage. The barrier pulsated with malevolent energy, exuding an impenetrable aura.

    Gu Tian laughed again, knowing that his master was strong enough to hold back any cultivator in the arena.

    ¡°Nowhere to escape,¡± he said with a smirk.

    From the corner of his eyes, he saw a daring cultivator leapt forward, summoning a blazing spear of fire imbued with spiritual qi, and hurled it toward the barrier. The spear crashed into the dark shield, the collision sending shockwaves through the air, but the barrier held firm. The flames were swallowed whole, leaving no trace of their existence.

    His master¡¯s deep, otherworldly voice boomed, echoing across the arena. ¡°I can hold this for five minutes, no more. Do what you must, quickly.¡±

    Gu Tian sneered, his gaze locked onto Chen Ren. ¡°I won¡¯t need more than a minute,¡± he said coldly, striding toward his immobilized foe.

    Chen Ren glared up at him, his body still bound by the dark chains. Gu Tian saw the fear and anxiety in his eyes, but there was something else¡ªsomething that made his blood boil. It was resilience¡ªdefiance that refused to die, even in the face of certain death.

    Gu Tian leaned closer, his voice dripping with malice. ¡°Your tricks won¡¯t save you now. The medallion will be mine, and you¡¯ll die here, humiliated, with the whole city watching your execution.¡±

    Chen Ren struggled against the chains, his lightning qi flickering weakly around him. ¡°Get me out of these,¡± he spat. ¡°If you want a fight, I¡¯ll give you one.¡±

    Gu Tian laughed, the sound echoing like a death knell. ¡°A fight?¡± he repeated mockingly. ¡°No, that¡¯s the way of the righteous¡ªa path I abandoned long ago. For me, a kill is a kill. It doesn¡¯t matter how it¡¯s done.¡± He straightened, gripping his sword tightly. ¡°You should close your eyes. That way, you won¡¯t have to see your own body cut in half.¡±

    With those words, Gu Tian raised his sword and plunged it into Chen Ren¡¯s stomach. Blood splattered across the ground as Chen Ren screamed in pain, his body writhing against the chains.

    Gu Tian smirked, savouring the moment. Pulling the sword free, he turned his attention to Chen Ren¡¯s belongings. Kneeling, he rummaged through the pouch tied to his waist and withdrew the medallion. It glimmered faintly in his hands.

    His master¡¯s voice resonated beside him. ¡°Finally. The medallion. The way to the Gate of Immortals.¡±

    Gu Tian studied the medallion, his brow furrowing. ¡°You¡¯re sure this is the right one? Doesn¡¯t look remarkable.¡±

    ¡°It is,¡± his master said confidently. ¡°I don¡¯t lie about these things. It matches the descriptions in the old legends. Now, finish him. I¡¯ll propel you into the sky to escape.¡± S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Gu Tian scoffed as his master¡¯s words echoed in his ears. ¡°What do you mean he¡¯s already dead?¡± he muttered. Turning back to Chen Ren, his eyes narrowed.

    Chen Ren lay in a pool of his own blood, the sword still embedded in his stomach, but he was still alive. His chest rose and fell, shallow breaths escaping his lips.

    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    As Gu Tian moved to use his sword to slice his neck off to give him a final rest, something gave him pause. The defiance, the fear, the resilience he had seen earlier¡ªall of it was gone from his eyes. What remained in Chen Ren¡¯s gaze wasn¡¯t the emptiness of death but something entirely different.

    Hollow.

    No. Not hollow.

    It was something completely different. Inside the empty gaze, something seemed to simmer.

    It was as if the man before him had become a vessel¡ªan empty shell brimming with something incomprehensible.

    Before he could process the thought further, Chen Ren¡¯s body convulsed, and his pupils began to change. The dark irises shimmered, a light spreading outward. In moments, they turned gold.

    Gu Tian felt his demonic qi recoil as if struck, the pressure around him shifting violently. The air grew dense and suffocating, as an unfamiliar and overwhelming presence filled the stage.

    From Chen Ren¡¯s mouth, a voice unlike his own rang out¡ªdeep, resonant, and filled with a power that seemed to shake the heavens themselves.

    ¡°You dare harm my chosen, filthy demon.¡±

    ***

    Yalan¡¯s heart plummeted as her claws scraped against the invisible wall that separated her from the platform. Her amber eyes blazed with fury as she watched Gu Tian loom over Chen Ren¡¯s barely conscious form, his demonic qi spilling forth like a suffocating tide.

    The barrier shimmered ominously, a translucent dome of dark energy that repelled every strike she unleashed. Her claws lengthened instinctively, the razor-sharp tips gleaming under the flickering flames of her tail. She snarled, slamming her burning tail against the barrier with all her strength, the impact resounding through the air.

    But the barrier held firm.

    Her rage only deepened as she pressed her paw against the cold surface, feeling the pulse of powerful energy rippling through it. It didn¡¯t budge, not even a crack or a flicker of weakness.

    ¡°How is this possible?¡± she growled, her voice trembling with frustration. She was in the meridian expansion realm¡ªher strikes should have been enough to destabilize any ordinary barrier.

    Yet, this wasn¡¯t ordinary.

    It was created for the purpose of ensuring that all the cultivators in the arena would be kept out of it. This barrier wasn¡¯t something Gu Tian could have created on his own.

    Yalan¡¯s sharp eyes scanned the stage, her breath catching as she saw the faint silhouette forming above Gu Tian.

    A ghostly figure hovered in the air, its shape wavering as if struggling to maintain its presence in the physical realm. Despite its ethereal weakness, its aura was unmistakable¡ªformidable, ancient, and suffused with the terrifying power of a nascent soul realm cultivator.

    Her claws retracted slightly as shock momentarily overtook her rage. she thought, her mind racing.

    Nascent soul cultivators had vanished from the mortal world centuries ago, their power so immense that the heavens themselves seemed to conspire against their existence. Yet here one stood, or at least its lingering shadow, bolstering Gu Tian with its unholy strength.

    There was no time to dwell on the answer. Every second wasted was another second Chen Ren lay bleeding on the stage, bound and vulnerable. Yalan¡¯s gaze snapped back to him, her chest tightening as she saw the blood pooling around his body.

    ¡°Chen Ren¡­ hold on,¡± she whispered, her fury reigniting.

    Flames surged down her tail as she struck the barrier again, the inferno roaring with her resolve. She didn¡¯t care if her strikes didn¡¯t break through. She didn¡¯t care if her attacks left her drained.

    All she cared about was finding a way to save him, no matter what it cost.

    Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, each pulse driving home a dreadful reality: she was watching it happen again.

    The sight of his pale face, blood spilling freely from his wounds, tore through her resolve. Memories flashed unbidden of the previous Chen Ren that she had failed to protect. She clenched her fists, her claws digging into her paws as guilt and despair warred within her.

    Her hair bristled as her eyes burned with fury. She had always thought herself strong. Yet here she was, standing powerless while the one she swore to defend teetered on the edge of death.

    Her head snapped to the side as a familiar presence approached. Qing He appeared, her usually serene face etched with a fury that matched Yalan¡¯s own. The elder¡¯s squinted eyes fixated on the barrier, and the faint wrinkles on her face seemed deeper under the strain of her anger.

    ¡°This is no ordinary construct,¡± Qing He muttered, her voice heavy with frustration.

    Yalan let out a howl. ¡°We need to combine forces. Together, we might be able to crack it enough to get through.¡±

    ¡°We should.¡±

    Qing He didn¡¯t hesitate, already preparing to channel her qi. Yalan mirrored her, flames rippling along her tail and claws as the two pooled their strength.

    But just as they moved to strike, Yalan froze, her sharp instincts picking up something in the air¡ªsomething emanating from Chen Ren himself.

    Her gaze whipped back to him, and her amber eyes widened.

    Golden light began to seep from his eyes, an otherworldly glow that seemed to pierce the demonic qi surrounding him. The light grew stronger, radiating from his battered form with an intensity that made the platform tremble.

    Then she felt it.

    Her breath caught, and her flames wavered as a sensation long buried resurfaced¡ªa power she hadn¡¯t sensed in years.

    Heavenly qi.

    Pure, untainted, and overwhelming, it rolled off Chen Ren in waves, clashing with the oppressive darkness of Gu Tian¡¯s demonic energy. Yalan¡¯s heart pounded as she stared at him, her disbelief mingling with a glimmer of hope.

    ¡°Heavenly qi,¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible.

    Qing He paused as well, her attack forgotten as she turned to Yalan. ¡°What did you say?¡±

    Yalan didn¡¯t answer. Her eyes remained fixed on Chen Ren, her lips parting in astonishment as the golden light grew brighter, illuminating the stage.

    ***

    Chen Ren''s consciousness drifted like a leaf caught in a murky current. His thoughts were sluggish, fragmented, and disjointed.

    The last thing he could recall was the crushing weight of Gu Tian¡¯s chains binding his limbs, his body sapped of strength. He¡¯d stared up at the demonic cultivator, his heart pounding with defiance and despair, just before the cold bite of a blade plunged into his gut. Pain had exploded through him, and he threw up a lot of blood. It had been bitter, and painful. But then endless darkness had taken over him.

    Now he stood in a void.

    No ground beneath his feet, no walls or sky to confine him. Just an infinite expanse dotted with light, stars twinkling faintly above and around him.

    He glanced down at his hands, flexing his fingers sluggishly. There were no wounds, no blood soaking through his robes, but the memory of the pain still lingered, sharp and biting.

    The question echoed hollowly in his mind. A bitter taste rose in his throat as fragments of his failure swirled together. He had doubted Gu Tian¡¯s fa?ade of mediocrity, and suspected the man¡¯s techniques weren¡¯t as simple as they seemed. Yet he¡¯d done nothing, ignored the signs, and now here he was¡ªcaught between life and death, alone in the star space.

    The thought sent a chill down his spine, but there was no one to answer him. He tilted his head upward, scanning the stars above.

    It was different.

    His star space had always been sparse, a cold expanse with only four stars burning dimly in the void. But now¡­ now the sky was alive, teeming with countless lights. The stars blazed fiercely, their glow raining down over him and filling the void with a warmth he hadn¡¯t felt in what seemed like ages.

    A rumble broke through the stillness.

    Chen Ren¡¯s heart jumped as the ground¡ªor whatever it was he stood on¡ªshuddered beneath him. The stars seemed to tremble as something massive shifted in the space above. He turned, his body moving sluggishly as though underwater, and froze.

    A presence loomed above him.

    It was vast, shadowy, and incomprehensibly large. As the rumble grew louder, the shape resolved into something unmistakable. Scales, luminous and shimmering like liquid golden, caught the light of the stars as the creature descended. Its form coiled endlessly, a serpent wreathed in celestial radiance.

    The dragon.

    The stars seemed to bow to its presence, their light dimming as the dragon¡¯s maw opened. The stars themselves formed the dragon¡¯s fangs, sharp and radiant, and its voice rolled through the space, vibrating through his chest.

    The beast¡¯s eyes, glowing like molten gold, bore into him with an intensity that made his legs tremble.

    ¡°Chen Ren¡­ I choose you, yet you stumble so quickly toward death.¡±

    Chen Ren swallowed hard, unable to muster a reply, his gaze fixed on the creature¡¯s immense, gleaming fangs. A tornado of questions swirled in his mind and he resisted the urge to prostrate himself in front of the entity.

    But rather than ask about what was going on, he answered the dragon''s question.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Gu Tian to be a demonic cultivator. Even then¡­ those chains¡ª¡± He looked down at his hands, flexing them uselessly. ¡°I couldn¡¯t break through them.¡±

    The dragon¡¯s eyes narrowed, and a sharp exhale escaped its nostrils, like the sigh of a storm. ¡°There¡¯s no excuse for weakness. This is the way of the world. Strength determines survival, and you are far too close to death. My slumber has lasted long enough¡ªI cannot let it be.¡±

    The words struck like a hammer, but Chen Ren barely had time to absorb them. His thoughts churned in frustration and confusion. His fists clenched, trembling. ¡°I know¡­¡± he muttered, his voice barely audible. Then louder, more resolute: ¡°But how can I defeat Gu Tian? With his chains and that ghost at his back¡ªit¡¯s too strong.¡±

    The dragon tilted its head, a faint glow rippling across its scales. ¡°I know it is. Hence, we are taking over. Your fight is no longer yours alone.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s breath hitched in his throat. ¡°What¡­ what does that mean?¡±

    The dragon didn¡¯t answer. Instead, its form began to shift, its body unravelling into streaks of radiant light. Chen Ren¡¯s eyes widened as the dragon unfurled from the heavens, descending upon him with a terrible grace.

    The stars in his space flickered and dimmed, their light snuffed out one by one. Cracks formed in the void beneath him, jagged lines racing outward with every rumble of the dragon¡¯s approach.

    ¡°No¡ª¡± Chen Ren stumbled back, his voice caught in his throat. The dragon surged forward, its golden eyes blazing brighter as it filled his vision.

    The last thing he saw was the beast¡¯s maw opening wide, its fangs shimmering like starfire as it swallowed him whole.

    The void shattered.

    Chen Ren gasped, his eyes snapping open.

    The platform stretched beneath him, Gu Tian standing below with a sneer that faltered as he looked up. Chains still bound Chen Ren¡¯s arms, but they felt lighter now, their weight insignificant compared to the power coursing through him.

    It was unlike anything he¡¯d felt before¡ªconsuming and powerful. Extremely powerful. Heat rushed through his veins, igniting every nerve as golden light spilt from his eyes.

    A low rumble escaped his throat, growing louder until it built into a deafening roar that echoed through the arena.

    The voice wasn¡¯t his alone.

    From within the roar, Chen Ren felt it¡ªsomething bursting free. His qi surged outward, enveloping the platform in waves of radiant energy. Gu Tian¡¯s eyes widened, and he stumbled back, shielding himself from the force.

    Above them, the sky tore apart.

    A golden dragon emerged, its massive form coiling and twisting as it rose into the heavens. It roared again, a sound that shook the very ground and sent waves of fear through the onlookers.

    Chen Ren looked up, his body trembling from the sheer intensity of the power. It felt alien and unstoppable, yet somehow¡­ It was him.

    Or was it?

    As he tried to grasp it, the dragon turned its gaze downward, its golden eyes locking onto Gu Tian, whose expression had turned to one of terror.

    Chen Ren felt his lips curve into a faint smile, though he wasn¡¯t entirely sure it was his own. The golden light in his eyes flared, and the platform trembled as his qi surged again.

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

 Chapter 54: Primordial descent

    City Lord Li Baolong¡¯s breath hitched in his throat as he looked at the sight before him in pure horror. He knew that the chaos below was something that wouldn¡¯t leave his mind anytime soon. The arena stands rumbled with the weight of countless footsteps, the crowd scrambling to escape the nightmare before them. The once-exuberant tournament, a celebration of youthful talent and strength, had devolved into sheer pandemonium.

    And it had all happened too quickly, he didn¡¯t even get time to blink twice when Gu Tian turned into a¡­ demonic being.

    His fists clenched, nails digging into his palms as he tried to steady his nerves. The whole event had been a series of shocks, but none struck as deeply as this. Even his son, Li Xuan, losing had been a hard truth to face¡ªone that bruised his pride as a father and City Lord. Yet now, knowing the identity of the man who had bested Li Xuan, he felt a strange relief. One he was guilty of.

    Chen Ren¡¯s skill had proven formidable, even praiseworthy. But that same young cultivator now hung in chains, bloodied and helpless, his life ebbing away under the demon Gu Tian¡¯s blade. Blood gushed out from the gaping wound in Chen Ren¡¯s stomach, pooling all around him. The sight churned Li Baolong¡¯s stomach, his heart sinking further with every droplet lost.

    To make things worse, he couldn¡¯t do anything.

    The barrier encasing the platform was thick, its translucent surface unmoved. All the powerful cultivators that were around the premise started attacking, attempting to break the surface with their best techniques but failed miserably. The barrier stood as a cruel mockery to their attempts, separating them from saving Chen Ren, leaving the latter to a grim fate.

    Li Baolong turned abruptly to the sect elder standing beside him, the man¡¯s imposing aura as steadfast as ever despite the chaos and the anxiety in the air. ¡°Elder Yan Xiu,¡± he began, his voice tight, almost desperate. ¡°We need to break that barrier. A promising cultivator like Chen Ren cannot die at the hands of a demon. It would be a disgrace to us all.¡±

    Elder Yan Xiu stroked his long, silvery beard, his sharp eyes narrowing as he regarded the shimmering barrier. His calm demeanour betrayed nothing of the tension in the air. ¡°Lord Li Baolong, it¡¯s not that simple. None of us here¡ªnone, I tell you¡ªhave the strength to shatter that barrier.¡±

    Li Baolong frowned. ¡°You can¡¯t mean that.¡±

    The elder gestured toward the cultivators scattered across the stands, all of them hurling their mightiest attacks at the barrier. Fire, lightning, and blades of qi crashed against it in vain, leaving not so much as a crack. ¡°Look around you,¡± Elder Yan Xiu said. ¡°The strongest among us have tried and failed. That demon¡­ somehow, he has created a barrier beyond even the reach of meridian expansion cultivators. Perhaps only a core formation cultivator could break through, but we have none here.¡±

    Li Baolong¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°So, we¡¯re to stand by and watch him die?¡±

    Elder Yan Xiu sighed, his eyes flickering with a rare glint of regret. ¡°I cannot save him. But the barrier won¡¯t last forever. When it falls, I will ensure that Gu Tian pays for his crimes with his life.¡±

    Li Baolong turned back to the platform, his heart heavy as he watched the futile attempts to breach the barrier. Every strike against it sent faint ripples across its surface, but not a single fracture appeared. His gaze shifted to Chen Ren, his pale face, the blood-soaked chains holding him aloft, and the smirk plastered on Gu Tian¡¯s face as he revelled in his victory.

    The implications of it all rang like alarm bells in Li Baolong¡¯s mind. A demonic cultivator infiltrating the tournament, killing its winner, and wreaking havoc¡ªthere would be no hiding this disaster. The news would spread like wildfire, reaching even the imperial court. Punishment was inevitable, and the city¡¯s reputation would be in shambles.

    Li Baolong¡¯s hands trembled, as his mind chanted one word.

    As his eyes moved once more to the place where Gu Tian¡¯s blade had plunged into Chen Ren, he could only hope¡ªdesperately¡ªthat some miracle would intervene before it was too late.

    Li Baolong¡¯s focus remained fixed on Chen Ren, his mind a whirlwind of regret and self-recrimination. The young cultivator had proved him wrong in the most astonishing of ways, rising above his initial doubts and showing a brilliance few could match. Yet now, chained and bleeding, his life hung by a thread¡ªa thread that frayed with every drop of blood spilling onto the platform.

    This was his fault.

    The city guards had failed to vet participants thoroughly, and that failure now rested squarely on his shoulders. Chen Ren¡¯s life¡ªno, his death¡ªwould be an indelible stain on Li Baolong¡¯s record.

    As these thoughts gnawed at him, a ripple of qi brushed against his senses. It wasn¡¯t just any qi¡ªit was primordial, pure, and made him lose track of what he was thinking. He glanced toward Elder Yan Xiu, whose usually composed expression had shifted to one of shock. He hadn''t been the only one to sense it.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Li Baolong muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

    Before an answer could form, the world itself seemed to respond.

    The skies darkened with unnatural speed as clouds coiled above the arena, their swirling mass deepening to a foreboding shade of black. A low rumble rolled across the sky, growing louder with each passing second until it sounded like the roar of an impending storm. Lightning forked through the clouds, illuminating the ominous scene in brief, blinding flashes.

    More ripples of qi radiated outward, stronger and more concentrated. Li Baolong¡¯s gaze snapped to Chen Ren, his instincts screaming that the source of this power was none other than the young cultivator.

    ¡°What¡­ is this?¡± he muttered again, his voice trembling now.

    Suddenly, a roar tore through the chaos¡ªa sound so primal and overwhelming that it seemed to shake the very air. The platform trembled, cracks spider webbing across its surface as the ground beneath it groaned in protest. Gu Tian, who had stood confidently over his chained prey moments ago, staggered back, his expression betraying the first flicker of unease.

    Then, it happened.

    A golden light erupted from Chen Ren, flooding the arena so intense that many shielded their eyes. Within the brilliance, something formed, rising higher and higher into the sky.

    Li Baolong¡¯s breath caught as the shape solidified¡ªa colossal golden dragon, its scales shimmering like polished gold and its eyes burning with ancient wisdom and fury. Lightning danced along its sinuous body, the flashes framing its silhouette against the roiling clouds. The sheer majesty of the beast stole every ounce of air from Li Baolong¡¯s lungs.

    The dragon roared again, and this time the sound carried an unearthly power, shaking the very heavens. The darkened clouds parted in deference to the creature, exposing a brilliant shaft of sunlight that bathed the dragon in a divine glow.

    Hovering above the platform, the dragon lowered its gaze to Chen Ren, its massive form exuding both ferocity and reverence. The demonic cultivator Gu Tian stumbled further back, his smug confidence evaporating like morning dew under the sun.

    Li Baolong¡¯s hands trembled as he took in the sight. His lips moved on their own, forming the words he scarcely believed. ¡°A cultivator¡­ blessed by the golden dragon himself. I¡­ I can¡¯t believe it.¡±

    ***

    The surge of power was overwhelming.

    Chen Ren¡¯s entire body felt like it was being pushed to the edge, stretched so thin it might tear apart. It was as if liquid lightning poured through his veins, crackling with power, threatening to rip him open. Each pulse of energy surged like a tidal wave, filling him up until he thought he might explode into nothingness.

    Above him, the sky growled with thunder, lightning dancing across the dark clouds like veins of the heavens themselves. Chen Ren raised his head, his breath catching in his throat.

    The golden dragon, no longer just flashes in his vision, was there in all its glory. Its enormous form coiled through the stormy skies, its scales glowing with an unearthly brilliance. The air around it shimmered with its power, and even the heavens seemed to tremble in its presence.

    Squinting, Chen Ren tried to focus, but the dragon''s sheer size and majesty left him in awe. It wasn¡¯t just a creature¡ªit was a force of nature.

    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    Chen Ren glanced down at himself and froze. The blade that had impaled him was sliding out, its edges slick with blood. He gasped softly, but no pain followed.

    Instead, he watched as the wound in his stomach began to heal, the torn flesh pulling together, glowing with the same golden light as the dragon above. The pain that had threatened to consume him moments before was gone, replaced by a surging power roaring inside him like a raging storm. His qi wasn¡¯t his own anymore¡ªthis was something far greater, far wilder¡ªand it sent a shiver through him.

    His golden eyes snapped toward Gu Tian. The man who had once stood so confidently now looked frozen in place. His arrogant sneer had vanished, replaced by wide eyes darting between Chen Ren and the dragon above. For the first time, fear crept into Gu Tian¡¯s face, making him seem smaller, weaker.

    ¡°What... what are you?¡± Gu Tian stammered, his voice trembling with disbelief.

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips curved into a faint, almost amused smile. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he said softly. ¡°But I know one thing¡ªyou¡¯re going to die.¡±

    The chains binding Chen Ren glowed with golden cracks, light spilling out like molten gold. A loud crack echoed as the chains shattered, the fragments disintegrating into sparks. Free at last, Chen Ren stepped forward. Each movement hummed with energy, sparks flickering around him. He wasn¡¯t just wielding lightning anymore¡ªhe lightning, his body alive with raw power.

    Gu Tian¡¯s face paled, and he took a step back. Then another. Panic filled his eyes as he turned and ran, desperate to escape. But Chen Ren was faster.

    With a burst of speed, he closed the distance in an instant, his body a blur. His fist slammed into Gu Tian¡¯s stomach with the force of a boulder, the impact echoing through the arena. Gu Tian¡¯s body flew like a ragdoll, crashing into the barrier with a deafening thud before crumpling to the ground, limp and broken.

    Slowly, Chen Ren walked toward him, his footsteps calm and deliberate. Gu Tian groaned, trying to push himself up, but his body wouldn¡¯t respond. He looked up at Chen Ren, his eyes filled with desperation and fear.

    ¡°You can¡¯t do anything,¡± Chen Ren said, his voice cold and steady. ¡°You¡¯ve already lost. You¡¯re already dead.¡±

    Gu Tian opened his mouth to speak, but before a single word could escape, a new voice filled the arena. It was deep and guttural, vibrating with fury and hatred, the kind of sound that made the air itself feel heavy. The arena seemed to darken, the oppressive energy thickening around them.

    ¡°No! You can¡¯t hurt my disciple!¡±

    The arena grew even darker, as if all the light was being pulled away. Chen Ren could feel something terrible before he saw it. The demon that had been floating behind Gu Tian began to change. Thick black smoke oozed from its body, and its shape became more monstrous. Its face twisted unnaturally, sharp horns grew from its head, and its eyes burned a fiery red. Its hands turned into claws, crackling with dark flames and surrounded by black energy.

    The demon roared, a deep and terrifying sound, and threw itself at Chen Ren. Dark flames followed it like a shadowy trail, and the air around it seemed to grow heavy and foul, like it was alive and full of hatred. Just as the flames were about to reach Chen Ren, the golden dragon sprang to life.

    With a roar that shook the ground, the dragon shot down like lightning, glowing brighter than the sun. Its golden energy smashed into the dark flames, sending sparks flying in all directions. Light and darkness collided in a loud explosion, shaking the arena. The demon staggered back, its eyes wide with shock.

    The dragon¡¯s voice filled the air, echoing across the battlefield. "You used to have strength," it said, its golden eyes locked on the demon. "But now, you are nothing. Just a broken piece of evil clinging to life. You can¡¯t even touch my power."

    Golden lightning surged forward from the dragon, swallowing the dark flames completely. The smell of burning filled the air as the black fire died out. The demon let out a scream, its ghostly form shaking under the dragon¡¯s overwhelming power.

    Desperate, the demon turned and darted toward Gu Tian.

    Gu Tian screamed, his voice full of panic. "What are you doing, Master?"

    The demon¡¯s cold voice answered, trembling with desperation. "I will take your body. It¡¯s the only way for me to survive."

    Gu Tian¡¯s face twisted in horror as the demon¡¯s smoky form rushed into his chest. He gasped, his body stiffening as if it was fighting the demon off. Then he collapsed, shaking violently on the ground. His body twitched and cracked, his bones shifting unnaturally. Black smoke poured from his skin, wrapping around him like a living shadow.

    With a sharp, painful crack, horns erupted from Gu Tian''s head, twisting upward like those of a beast. His skin darkened, splitting apart, and glowing red light seeped from the cracks like molten lava. His fingers clawed at the ground as razor-sharp talons replaced his nails. His body shuddered violently, sending waves of dark energy rippling outward, scorching and cracking the ground beneath him.

    A guttural roar tore from his throat¡ªloud, raw, and filled with a mix of agony and fury. The sound was inhuman, a terrifying blend of the man he had been and the monster he had become. When the transformation ended, Gu Tian¡¯s eyes snapped open, glowing an intense red. Hatred and a consuming thirst for destruction burned within them. He was no longer human or a demon. He was something much worse.

    With newfound strength, Gu Tian turned toward the barrier surrounding the arena. With a deafening cry, he unleashed a surge of power, shattering the barrier into fragments that dissolved into the air. Without hesitation, he prepared to flee.

    But Chen Ren was already in motion.

    Fury ignited within Chen Ren, his golden eyes blazing like fire as he roared, ¡°You won¡¯t escape¡ªnot while I¡¯m here!¡±

    He raised his hand toward the stormy heavens, and the dragon above roared in harmony with him. The storm responded to his call, bolts of lightning crashing down to form an electrified cage around Gu Tian. The demonic cultivator flinched, his escape route blocked.

    This barrier was similar to the one Li Xuan had used before, but now it was stronger, infused with the full might of his qi and the dragon¡¯s energy.

    ¡°Impossible!¡± Gu Tian snarled, his voice filled with rage and disbelief as Chen Ren closed in.

    Chen Ren¡¯s body crackled with lightning, and he surged forward like a streak of light. Gu Tian lunged, desperate to counterattack, but Chen Ren was faster. His palm struck Gu Tian¡¯s chest with the force of a thunderbolt, breaking through every defense the demonic cultivator could muster.

    Gu Tian staggered, gasping as terror filled his glowing red eyes. ¡°No! Please, forgive me! I... I don¡¯t want to die! I don¡¯t want to lose my chance at life!¡± S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Chen Ren glared down at him, his golden gaze unwavering. ¡°You would have killed me¡ªtwice. You¡¯ve murdered countless others, showing no mercy to anyone. Tell me, why should I show mercy to you? Tell me!¡±

    Gu Tian stammered, but his words were cut short as Chen Ren channelled a final surge of power into his palm, driving it deeper into Gu Tian¡¯s chest. The impact shattered Gu Tian¡¯s dantian, sending a wave of demonic qi spiraling into the air before dissipating entirely. Blood erupted from Gu Tian¡¯s wounds, and his body convulsed violently.

    A cry of agony echoed through the air, the last sound Gu Tian made before his lifeless form crumpled to the ground. His eyes, now dim, wept blood as his body lay still.

    For a moment, silence hung heavy in the arena. But Chen Ren¡¯s instincts screamed at him that it wasn¡¯t over. His golden eyes scanned Gu Tian¡¯s broken body until they landed on the faint glint of a ring on his finger.

    Chen Ren noticed movement as dark mist began to seep from the ring on Gu Tian¡¯s finger. The mist twisted and grew, forming into the shape of the ghostly spectre that had been controlling him. The figure thrashed in the air, letting out a terrible scream as it broke free from Gu Tian¡¯s body.

    The spectre flailed wildly, its shadowy arms reaching out in all directions as it tried to escape. It surged upward, desperate to flee the arena and save itself.

    But before it could get far, Chen Ren felt something shift above him. The golden dragon, still floating in the stormy sky, moved. Its massive form glowed with lightning, and its glowing eyes locked onto the fleeing spectre.

    The dragon opened its huge mouth, lightning crackling around its jaws as it dove toward the ghost.

    ¡°No! You can¡¯t!¡± the spectre screamed, its voice filled with fear and panic. It lashed out with dark tendrils, clawing at the air in a desperate attempt to escape.

    The dragon roared, the sound like rolling thunder, and with one swift motion, it devoured the spirit. The spectre disappeared completely, leaving nothing behind but a ripple of golden sparks.

    The dragon lifted its head, its glowing eyes turning to Chen Ren. He stood frozen, watching in awe and confusion.

    ¡°It¡¯s finally over,¡± Chen Ren thought, still catching his breath. He looked up at the dragon¡¯s massive form, but all he could focus on were its glowing, golden eyes.

    Gathering his courage, he asked, ¡°Thank you¡­ but who are you? And why are you inside my star space?¡±

    The dragon¡¯s gaze remained calm. Even though the chaos had started to dissipate around him, the dragon was¡­ unnaturally calm. ¡°You are not ready to know. You are still too weak to handle my full presence outside your star space. When the time is right, all will be revealed.¡±

    As it spoke, the dragon¡¯s body began to break apart, turning into shimmering particles of golden light. The glowing fragments rose into the stormy sky before gently descending back toward Chen Ren. The light sank into him, and the faint golden glow around his body grew stronger for a moment before fading.

    As the last of the golden light merged with Chen Ren, it flowed through him one final time, filling him with a warm, powerful energy. The golden glow shimmered across his body, lighting up every cut and bruise, making it look like they were healing for a moment. Slowly, the light began to fade, breaking into tiny streams that drifted away like sparks before disappearing into the air.

    The bright aura around him shrank until it was just a faint glow, then sank deep into his core, leaving his body empty and weak. Without the dragon¡¯s energy, his body shook, and his legs buckled. He fell to his knees, crushed by exhaustion that felt like a giant weight pressing down on him.

    Above him, the stormy sky began to clear. The dark clouds parted, revealing a calm blue sky. The golden light that had filled the arena was gone, leaving only silence for a moment. Then, the crowd¡¯s shouts grew louder, cutting through the fog in Chen Ren¡¯s mind.

    He turned toward the noise, but his vision was blurry, and the people in the crowd looked like shadows. His body swayed, and the edges of his sight turned dark. Before he could stop himself, the darkness closed in completely.

    Chen Ren collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud, and the arena, which had been so loud moments before, went quiet once again.

    ***

    A/N - One thing I got is a lot of comments on Deus ex machina and even if I understand why readers think so, think of it as more of a counter against Gu Tian''s sceptre (which obviously is a different take on the famous ring grandpa trope). Anyway, the golden dragon is a character that won''t be always there to deal with Chen Ren''s problem. He will get a lot more powerful in the coming volume 2.

    You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

 Chapter 55: Dragonheart

    Chen Ren dreamt of home.

    Not the chaos of Cloud Mist City, not the noise of markets or the sharp clash of blades, but . The small apartment with peeling wallpaper, the aroma of instant noodles in the air, and the old, secondhand couch where he spent countless hours.

    He wasn¡¯t dreaming of the grind this time¡ªthe endless string of part-time jobs he juggled to keep the lights on and the rent paid, nor the late nights studying as a struggling business management student. No, this dream wasn¡¯t about the struggle. It was about the moments in between.

    Chen Ren saw himself sitting on that lumpy couch, a box of cheap pizza on his lap, the TV flickering with a cricket match. He could almost taste the greasy cheese and hear the roar of the crowd as someone hit a six.

    Then the scene shifted. He was standing at the counter of one of his part-time jobs, leaning casually as he chatted with the girl from the next shift. He could hear his own awkward laughter as he tried to work up the courage to ask her out. Her laugh echoed faintly, soft and teasing, before fading into the next memory.

    He was back outside his apartment building, crouched on the cold concrete, feeding the stray cats that gathered around him like tiny, furry shadows. One cat¡ªa scruffy tabby with a half-missing ear¡ªpushed closer. He reached out, scratching its head, feeling the soft fur beneath his fingers. He chuckled, a giddy warmth bubbling up inside him.

    But something was off.

    As Chen Ren scratched the cat, a strange unease crept in. A nagging feeling that something was missing, something important. He wanted to stay in this world, to savour these small joys, but the sensation tugged at him like an unanswered question.

    The cat purred beneath his touch, and the streets around him began to shimmer unnaturally. The cars, the lights, the faint chatter of distant pedestrians¡ªthey all felt... distant, like echoes from another life.

    Chen Ren looked up, and in the sky, he saw something streaking toward him. At first, it seemed like a shooting star, a bright light cutting across the dark canvas of the night. But as he squinted, focusing on the light, his breath caught.

    It wasn¡¯t a star.

    The figure grew larger, its shape clearer with each passing second. Wings stretched wide, scales shimmering like molten gold, and glowing eyes piercing through the haze of the dream. It was a dragon, descending from the heavens.

    Chen Ren stared, his heart racing as the world around him began to crumble. The buildings disintegrated, the ground beneath him cracked and fell away, replaced by a void of endless light.

    As the dragon loomed closer, its immense presence pressed down on him, making it hard to breathe. It didn¡¯t roar, didn¡¯t move with fury. Instead, it gazed at him with calm, commanding eyes.

    "You have slept a lot, Chosen One," the dragon said.

    The words struck Chen Ren like a hammer. In an instant, memories flooded back¡ªthe bustling streets of Cloud Mist City, the taste of noodles he sold to its people, Yalan¡¯s purr and attitude, the thunderous applause of the tournament, and the fight against Gu Tian. The weight of his life came crashing down, vivid and undeniable.

    Chen Ren¡¯s knees buckled under the realisation. The world around him broke further, the dream crumbling into nothingness. He looked back down at the tabby cat, his last anchor to this fleeting dream, but it was gone.

    All that remained was the dragon and the endless void.

    A sudden pull, like an invisible thread yanking him back, jolted Chen Ren awake. His eyes snapped open, his breath coming in quick, shallow gasps as he adjusted to the dim light around him. Blinking a few times, he looked up, and a familiar sight greeted him¡ªa wooden ceiling with faint cracks that he had come to know well.

    The same place where he had woken up every morning since arriving in this strange, Xianxia world. His heart settled as he took slow, calming breaths, grounding himself in reality. But his hand instinctively moved to his chest, to the spot where Gu Tian¡¯s blade had pierced him. His fingers traced the area, expecting pain, a scar, .

    There was nothing.

    The skin was smooth, unblemished, and warm to the touch. He was whole, alive, and no longer on the brink of death. Relief flooded him, but it was quickly followed by confusion.

    Before he could dwell on it further, a soft presence stirred beside him. Turning his head, Chen Ren¡¯s gaze fell on Yalan, curled up on his bed. Her tiny frame looked peaceful, her paws peeking out from under the blanket she had wrapped herself in.

    A small smile tugged at his lips. She looked adorable like this, vulnerable in a way that belied her sharp tongue. Almost on instinct, he reached out to pat her head.

    But just as his hand was about to make contact, her eyes flicked open.

    ¡°It looks like you¡¯ve finally woken up,¡± Yalan said, her voice calm but sharp as her amber eyes locked onto him.

    Chen Ren froze, his hand hovering in mid-air, his smile awkward. ¡°Uh, yeah. I guess I have,¡± he replied, lowering his arm. ¡°It feels like I¡¯ve been out for a long time. What¡­ what happened after I passed out?¡±

    Yalan stretched lazily, her tail flicking to the side. ¡°After you lost consciousness¡ª¡±

    Before she could finish, the door to his room opened with a faint crack and Lihua, the maid, stepped in. As soon as his eyes matched with her, shock plastered on her face.

    ¡°Young Master Chen Ren is awake!¡± She shouted, her voice ringing out like a bell.

    ¡°Wait, no! Don¡¯t¡ª¡± Chen Ren tried to stop her, but the damage was already done.

    Within moments, the room was packed with people. Tang Xiulan was the first to arrive, her usual composed expression softened with concern. Yuqiu followed close behind, barely managing to hide the relief in her eyes. Even Qing He shuffled in, her sharp gaze scanning him from head to toe. The children who helped around his stall also peeked in through the doorway, their wide eyes filled with curiosity and awe.

    ¡°Everyone¡­¡± Chen Ren started, overwhelmed by the sudden influx of visitors.

    Before he could get a word in, Senior Qing He stepped forward, her wrinkled hands reaching for his arm. Her touch was firm yet gentle as she closed her eyes, a faint ripple of qi passing through him.

    After a moment, she opened her eyes and gave a small nod. ¡°You should thank the heavens,¡± she said. ¡°You¡¯ve come out of your ordeal with that demonic cultivator stronger than before. Truly, you have the resilience of a cockroach.¡± S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Chen Ren blinked at her, his mouth opening and closing as he struggled to respond. Finally, he let out a half-laugh, half-sigh. ¡°I just woke up, and you¡¯re already calling me a cockroach?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m praising you, kid,¡± Qing He said matter-of-factly, crossing her arms.

    Chen Ren raised an eyebrow, leaning back against the pillows. ¡°You need to work on your delivery, Senior Qing He.¡±

    Her eyes narrowed, but there was a faint hint of a smile on her lips. ¡°And you need to work on staying out of trouble. But I suppose that¡¯s too much to ask.¡±

    The room erupted into laughter, the tension breaking as Chen Ren shook his head, a smile finally spreading across his face. Despite everything, he was alive. And in this moment, surrounded by friends and allies, he couldn¡¯t help but feel grateful.

    Chen Ren shook his head with a wry smile and turned his attention to the others. ¡°Alright,¡± he said, his voice still a bit hoarse. ¡°What exactly happened after I was out?¡±

    Tang Yuqiu stepped forward and gave him worried eyes. ¡°You collapsed. And after that, the city guards took over to bring the situation under control. They moved you to the chambers of the City Lord¡¯s personal healer. At the same time, they burned the body of the demonic cultivator and raided the inn where he had been staying. Everything in his possession was destroyed as a precaution.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded, listening intently as Yuqiu continued.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t a quiet matter,¡± she added. ¡°It was a public event. The whole city is in an uproar. Rumours are flying everywhere¡ªsome say you died valiantly while fighting the demonic cultivator, while others are hell-bent on the fact that you¡¯ve been permanently crippled.¡±

    Chen Ren blinked, his lips twitching. ¡°Crippled? Really?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not even the most outrageous one,¡± Tang Xiulan interjected, stepping forward.

    ¡°Oh? What¡¯s the top rumour, then?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re calling you Dragonheart,¡± Xiulan said from the side. ¡°Everyone in the city saw the golden dragon in the sky. People are saying you¡¯ve been blessed by the fabled dragons themselves. That¡¯s why they¡¯ve given you the title.¡±

    ¡°Dragonheart, huh?¡± Chen Ren repeated, leaning back into the pillows. The name rolled off his tongue, and for a moment, he considered it. ¡°Well,¡± he said with a shrug, ¡°it¡¯s a little early for me to have a title, but I¡¯m not complaining. Dragonheart sounds just the right amount of edgy.¡±

    The room chuckled lightly, though Chen Ren¡¯s thoughts turned inward. He couldn¡¯t help but reflect on the dragon that had appeared in his dream. He shook his head. No, that wasn¡¯t it. Even he had no clue what the dragon¡¯s presence meant, let alone why it had appeared.

    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    His musings were interrupted by Senior Qing He¡¯s sharp voice. ¡°So, tell us, boy¡ªare you blessed by dragons?¡±

    Chen Ren glanced at her. ¡°No,¡± he replied truthfully. ¡°Even I know nothing about the dragon that appeared.¡± He paused, his gaze dropping to his hands.

    He groaned internally.

    Fortunately, no one pressed him further about the dragon. Sensing the shift in the conversation, Chen Ren straightened. ¡°You¡¯ve talked about all this like a lot of time has passed. How long was I out?¡±

    Tang Xiulan exchanged a glance with Yuqiu before answering. ¡°A week.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes widened slightly. ¡°A ? That¡¯s¡­ a lot of time!¡±

    Qing He clicked her tongue, shaking her head. ¡°You should be glad it was only a week, boy. With all the heavenly qi that filled your body, it¡¯s a miracle you didn¡¯t break apart. A week of rest is nothing. And it wasn¡¯t wasted¡ªyou¡¯ve made another breakthrough.¡±

    Chen Ren blinked, caught off guard. ¡°Breakthrough?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Qing He confirmed, her eyes narrowing as she studied him. ¡°Check it yourself.¡±

    Chen Ren frowned, closing his eyes as he focused inward. He quickly sat cross-legged on the bed as he moved his qi through his dantian.

    He could feel it¡ªhis core had changed. He hadn''t realised it before but the energy also flowed smoother, and stronger, almost as if the air itself had become a reservoir of power he could tap into. When he opened his eyes, his senses expanded beyond what he had ever known. Qi wasn¡¯t just a subtle force anymore; it was tangible, a current in the air, swirling and flowing with life.

    ¡°I broke through,¡± he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. ¡°Qi refinement realm.¡±

    Qing He nodded approvingly. ¡°Yes, but don¡¯t get ahead of yourself, boy. You still need rest, and I¡¯ll not have you running off to test your newfound strength like some brash fool.¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t planning to.¡± Chen Ren chuckled at that thought. He didn¡¯t feel like testing his strength right away, not after the fight he¡¯d had.

    ¡°Good,¡± she said, though her tone suggested she didn¡¯t believe him for a second.

    Before Chen Ren could respond, Tang Yuqiu spoke up. ¡°You¡¯ll have to wait until you¡¯re summoned anyway.¡±

    Chen Ren tilted his head. ¡°Summoned? For what?¡±

    ¡°The award ceremony. Due to the attack and your¡­ unconscious state, it was delayed. The other participants received their rewards three days after the incident. But the City Lord wanted to personally meet you and reward you for defeating the demonic cultivator.¡±

    Chen Ren frowned slightly. ¡°Personally?¡±

    Tang Yuqiu nodded. ¡°You¡¯ll get the summons any day now. And before you meet him, you¡¯ll need to prepare.¡±

    ¡°Prepare what?¡± Chen Ren asked, confused.

    ¡°An outfit,¡± Yuqiu replied with a smirk. ¡°You can¡¯t meet the City Lord looking like an ordinary cultivator, can you?¡±

    Chen Ren glanced down at his plain robes. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with this?¡±

    Xiulan almost rolled her eyes. ¡°Everything, young master. You¡¯ll need something formal. Something that makes you look like the hero they¡¯re calling Dragonheart¡±

    Chen Ren sighed. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for that name, you know.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Tang Xiulan said. ¡°You¡¯ve got it now, and you¡¯ll have to live up to it.¡±

    ***

    Chen Ren remained on the bed for three more days under Qing He¡¯s strict supervision. Her sharp gaze left no room for argument, ensuring that he fully recovered before she finally allowed him to move freely. By the end of the third day, when she was convinced his condition had stabilised, a formal summons from the City Lord arrived.

    Without delay, Chen Ren prepared himself, donning the new outfit tailored for him. No one accompanied him to the City Lord''s estate, uncertain about the nature of the meeting. Even Yalan refused, citing the reason that she would be patrolling around the city, making sure that no other demonic cultivator had made their way in.

    The carriage ride through the city was an experience in itself. His recent achievements were still being talked about, raising his stakes in the city significantly.

    Even from inside, he could hear whispers of ¡°Dragonheart¡± and snippets of stories about his supposed feats. The tales had grown with each retelling, painting him as a heroic figure blessed by the dragons.

    Chen Ren shook his head, amused yet resigned to the title he hadn¡¯t asked for.

    When they arrived at the City Lord¡¯s estate, the grandeur of the place did little to faze him. What caught his attention, however, were the expressions of the guards and maids stationed outside. Their eyes sparkled with admiration, and some even seemed starstruck, as though they were in the presence of a legend.

    He was instructed to wait downstairs until a guard came to escort him. The short wait was filled with curious glances from the staff, some discreet and others outright gawking. Chen Ren ignored most of them, focusing instead on keeping his composure.

    Then, he heard footsteps approaching him.

    When he turned, he froze momentarily, recognising the man¡ªthe same guard captain who had interrogated him. Cai Tao, he remembered the latter¡¯s name correctly. The man¡¯s facial expressions were entirely different this time. He wore a genuine smile and, to Chen Ren¡¯s surprise, bowed before addressing him.

    ¡°Young Master Chen Ren,¡± Cai Tao began, his voice respectful yet tinged with hesitation. ¡°I wanted to apologise for suspecting you as a demonic cultivator and for interrogating you. It was a grievous mistake on my part and the guards. I hope you can accept my apology and my gratitude for ridding the city of Gu Tian.¡±

    Chen Ren took his words with a bit of surprise. He hadn''t expected anything like that even with his newfound glory. Still, he was in no mood to accept it.

    ¡°Okay, but I don¡¯t think an apology will cut it. You were ready to send me to my death in the Purity Chamber. Don¡¯t act like you don¡¯t know what that means.¡±

    The guard captain flinched slightly, his smile faltering. He looked down for a moment before replying, ¡°You¡¯re right. That¡¯s not something an apology can fix. I understand your anger. I was following orders from my superiors, but I didn¡¯t join the guards to force innocents to their deaths. If it¡¯s any consolation, I deeply regret my actions.¡±

    Chen Ren studied the man, his gaze searching for signs of deceit. Unable to tell if the regret was genuine or simply a show, he finally nodded. ¡°Fine. I won''t hold it against you. That''s the only thing I can say right now.¡±

    Cai Tao bowed again, his voice steady this time. ¡°That¡¯s more than enough.¡± The tension eased slightly as the captain straightened up. ¡°Now, if you¡¯ll follow me,¡± he said, gesturing toward the stairs.

    Chen Ren nodded and followed the captain deeper into the City Lord¡¯s estate silently.

    He decided not to press the issue with the guard captain. It wasn¡¯t worth burning bridges, not when he still had plans in Cloud Mist City. Maintaining a good relationship with the guards would be far more beneficial. After today, he was certain they¡¯d owe him a debt for taking down the demonic cultivator¡ªa debt he could call on if needed.

    With that thought in mind, he followed the guard captain through the winding halls of the City Lord¡¯s estate.

    Eventually, they stopped before a pair of ornate doors flanked by two guards.

    ¡°This is it,¡± the guard captain said, nodding toward the doors. ¡°Please go inside. The City Lord is waiting.¡±

    The guards pushed the doors open, revealing a grand chamber lit by a massive chandelier. As Chen Ren stepped inside, his gaze immediately landed on City Lord Li Baolong.

    He sat on a chair, wearing long white robes with rings donning his fingers. His eyes briefly landed on them before noticing that the City Lord wasn''t alone.

    Beside him sat an old man with a long, flowing, silver-coloured beard that cascaded down his chest. His wise eyes gleamed with a sharp intelligence that seemed to see through everything. He wore simple but elegant robes that bore the emblem of the Soaring Sword Sect.

    Chen Ren recognised him immediately, Yan Xiu¡ªan elder of the sect who had overseen parts of the tournament. Though they hadn¡¯t interacted directly, Chen Ren had seen him back then.

    Suppressing any sign of unease, Chen Ren followed the etiquette Yuqiu had drilled into him and bowed deeply.

    ¡°Raise your head,¡± City Lord Li Baolong said. ¡°There¡¯s no need for formalities today.¡±

    Chen Ren straightened, meeting the City Lord¡¯s gaze.

    ¡°I would like to thank you,¡± he continued, ¡°for the great service you have done to this city by ridding us of that filthy demonic cultivator. To be honest, when the first rounds of the tournament began, and I saw how you moved through without engaging in direct combat, I thought you were nothing more than a schemer. A hack who relied on tricks rather than skill.¡±

    Chen Ren kept his face neutral, though the bluntness of the statement almost made him twitch.

    ¡°But,¡± he added with a small smile, ¡°as the tournament progressed¡ªthrough the semifinals, the finals, and, of course, your battle with that vile cultivator¡ªyou proved me wrong. You showed not only your strength but also your righteousness. You are deserving of the title the people have given you: Dragonheart.¡±

    Hearing the title again, Chen Ren resisted the urge to grimace. It seemed there was no escaping it now.

    Before he could respond, the City Lord Li Baolong continued, ¡°For your deeds, I have decided to double the amount of spirit stones you were to receive as the winner of the tournament. Consider it a token of this city¡¯s gratitude.¡±

    Chen Ren blinked, momentarily caught off guard. That was no small reward, especially when spirit stones were a vital resource for cultivation.

    ¡°Thank you, City Lord,¡± Chen Ren said, bowing slightly. He chose his words carefully. ¡°I only did what any cultivator should when faced with such evil.¡±

    The City Lord¡¯s smile widened. ¡°Humble as well. Good. That will serve you well in the future.¡±

    The elder beside him nodded slightly, his wise eyes fixed on Chen Ren as though evaluating him. He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this meeting was about more than just gratitude.

    Chen Ren smiled and bowed politely at the words, but before he could say anything, the City Lord added, ¡°Not only that. Sect Elder Yan Xiu also has a reward for you.¡±

    Chen Ren turned to the elder, unable to keep his gaze away.

    The old man chuckled warmly, the sound deep and rich like an ancient bell. ¡°I won¡¯t offer you flowery praise like Baolong,¡± he said. ¡°I have a feeling you¡¯re the sort who already knows your capabilities and takes pride in your accomplishments.¡±

    The elder¡¯s gaze sharpened slightly, as though testing Chen Ren with his next words. ¡°You know, one of the rewards for winning the tournament is being granted core disciple status in the Soaring Sword Sect. But I would take it a step further. I am Yan Xiu, the Vice Sect Leader of the Soaring Sword Sect, and I offer you the opportunity to become my personal disciple. I will ensure that you are not only an exceptional cultivator but that you will receive every priority and resource the sect can offer.¡±

    Chen Ren blinked, taken aback. He had no idea this man was the Vice Sect Leader. His thoughts raced. This was an incredible offer¡ªone most cultivators would dream of. Core disciple status was prestigious on its own, but being taken under the wing of a the man just below the sect leader? That was on an entirely different level.

    The Chen Ren who had first transmigrated to this world would have accepted immediately. Even the previous Chen Ren, desperate to find his footing, would have jumped at the chance.

    But now?

    He had come to trust his instincts and his chosen path. While the offer was tempting, Chen Ren knew it would tie him to the sect¡¯s rules and politics, constraints he wasn¡¯t prepared to accept.

    Making his decision, Chen Ren bowed deeply to the sect elder. ¡°I am deeply honored by your offer, Vice Sect Leader Yan Xiu, but I must decline. I have no intention of joining a sect at this time.¡±

    The City Lord¡¯s eyebrows shot up, his expression one of surprise. ¡°Are you certain? This is a rare opportunity!¡±

    Yan Xiu, however, didn¡¯t look surprised. If anything, he seemed amused. ¡°Very well,¡± he said with a nod. ¡°So be it. I had a feeling you might refuse.¡±

    Chen Ren straightened, watching as the man¡¯s smile grew.

    ¡°But,¡± the elder continued, ¡°a debt is still a debt, and I cannot let your contribution to the city and the sect go unrewarded. How about this: aside from the rewards for winning the tournament, I will allow you to select one item of your choice from the inner sect treasury. Do you accept that?¡±

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

 Chapter 56: Dead egg

    To Chen Ren¡¯s relief, neither the City Lord Li Baolong nor the Sect Elder Yan Xiu asked him about the golden dragon. They focused solely on praising his efforts and rewarding him for his actions. He''d no idea why it was so. Were they simply making their own guesses or was it something else.

    Either way, it was a blessing in disguise, as he still didn¡¯t know how to explain what had happened.

    True to their word, his rewards were presented immediately. He received a hundred spirit stones, an assortment of potent pills, rare herbs, and a vial of beast essence. He was also given a plot of land situated to the north of Cloud Mist City, near the border of this part of the empire. The location was remote, but Chen Ren saw potential in it. Even if it was some abandoned land, it was more than enough for him.

    Afterall, he earned it and he deserved to use every bit of it.

    For his cultivation manual, Chen Ren had already discussed his options with Yalan. They agreed on selecting a defensive technique. His current skill set lacked a solid method for blocking or mitigating attacks, and Yalan didn¡¯t have a suitable technique to teach him. This reward filled that gap and would round out his fighting style.

    When it came to picking a weapon of his choice, he went along with a spear. While he had initially considered a bow, remembering his original plan of focusing on ranged combat, he decided against it. The spear was more versatile¡ªit offered range in close combat and the ability to keep opponents at bay. Furthermore, Chen Ren had been formulating ideas for creating a better-ranged weapon in the future, so a spear felt like the right choice for now.

    Once the rewards were finalized, the Sect Elder wasted no time. ¡°Come,¡± Yan Xiu said. ¡°We¡¯ll head to the sect now so you can choose your reward from the inner sect treasury.¡±

    At those words, his excitement hit the roof. A sect¡¯s treasury wasn¡¯t a simple storehouse. The treasury of the Soaring Sword Sect would undoubtedly hold treasures of immense value¡ªartefacts, rare cultivation techniques, and priceless materials that few could even dream of obtaining. Even in that, it wasn¡¯t the outer treasury, rather, .

    However, in his enthusiasm, one critical detail slipped his mind:

    The Soaring Sword Sect was deep in the mountains, a three-to-four-day journey by carriage. Traveling on foot was faster, but Chen Ren doubted he could keep pace with someone as powerful as Yan Xiu. The elder could likely cover the distance in a fraction of the time, but Chen Ren wasn¡¯t sure he could endure such a pace unless the elder deliberately slowed down.

    As they stepped outside, Chen Ren glanced at Yan Xiu, who wore a calm expression. The elder¡¯s confidence only deepened Chen Ren¡¯s curiosity about what kind of journey this was going to be. For better or worse, he knew one thing: it wouldn¡¯t be ordinary.

    In fact, he kept mulling over the logistics of their journey until Elder Yan Xiu gestured for him to follow. The elder led him through the busy halls of the City Lord¡¯s estate, finally stopping at the courtyard.

    But as soon as they stepped outside, his eyes widened in disbelief.

    There, shiningunder the sunlight stood a medium-sized ship, painted pristine white with the crest of the Soaring Sword Sect prominently engraved on its side. His first thought after disbelief was confusion¡ª

    Then, a fragment of the previous Chen Ren¡¯s memory clicked into place. This wasn¡¯t justa ship. It was a skyship, a marvel of cultivation engineering designed to float in the air. In other words, it was an open-air airplane, only powered by spirit stones and qi rather than engines.

    Elder Xiu turned to him with an expectant look. ¡°Get in.¡±

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t need to be told twice. He hopped inside, still gaping at the interior and the sleek, almost futuristic design of the vessel. The Elder followed him in, settling at the helm where a glowing red stone was embedded.

    Without wasting another second, he placed his hand on the stone, and a swirl of qi emanated outward. The stone glowed faintly, and the ship shuddered for a moment before lifting off the ground.

    As the skyship began to ascend, Chen Ren instinctively gripped the edge of his seat. The wind whipped past them, and the sensation of leaving the ground sent a surge of both excitement and anxiety through him. He felt his stomach churn in nervousness due to the open roof and lack of safety. Even as a cultivator, if he fell from such a height, he would suffer grievous injuries.

    But within a minute, he realized his fears were useless.  sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    The ship sailed smoothly, unaffected by turbulence. Despite the high speed, there was no sensation of jarring movement, and the wind, though present, didn¡¯t disrupt his balance.

    Relaxing slightly, Chen Ren turned to Elder Yan Xiu and asked, ¡°Is there a [Balancing array] on the ship?¡±

    The elder rubbed his long beard, a faint smile tugging at his lips. ¡°You¡¯ve guessed right. There are several arrays, actually. One for balance, another to shield against any storms or tornadoes, and a few more to ensure no one accidentally falls off.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded, his interest piqued. ¡°That¡¯s fascinating.¡±

    Yan Xiu¡¯s smile widened. ¡°It¡¯s one of the treasures of our sect. Only top elders and disciples are allowed to use it.¡±

    Chen Ren acknowledged the statement with a brief nod, though a small part of him wondered if this was another subtle attempt to sway him into reconsidering his decision about joining the sect. Still, he decided to let the comment pass, focusing instead on the breathtaking scenery below.

    As the skyship glided effortlessly through the air, he looked down at the forests, rivers, and villages that passed beneath them. From this vantage point, the world felt vast and serene, and the experience was undeniably better than any airplane ride he remembered from his previous life. Especially with the wind hitting him in the face, and the clouds shifting when it moved through them.

    The journey, however, was short-lived. Less than an hour later, the ship began to ascend sharply, heading toward the towering peaks of the mountains. Situated among the clouds, the sprawling expanse of the Soaring Sword Sect came into view.

    Chen Ren leaned forward, captivated by the sight.

    He didn¡¯t know why most sects chose mountaintops for their bases, but one thing was clear: the panoramic view alone was worth it. If he were to guess,the choice of location had something to do with the potent qi this high in the air.

    The ship soared effortlessly through the mountain peaks, and as they passed different summits, he noticed figures in flowing red robes moving along narrow paths or practicing on top of platforms. The robes matched what he recognized as sect wear, similar to what Elder Xiu had worn, and their vibrant colour stood out against the serene backdrop of the mountains.

    He kept observing everything from afar when the view got closer.

    Soon, the ship approached what Chen Ren assumed was the inner peak, its significance evident in the grandeur of the buildings and the intensity of qi emanating from the area.

    With a wave of Elder Yan Xiu¡¯s hand, the ship began to descend, the hum of its arrays softening as it lowered gently toward a wide courtyard in front of a grand three-story building.

    Two figures stood waiting for them at the entrance. Their robes were a deeper, richer shade of red compared to the ones worn by the disciples Chen Ren had seen earlier. He immediately pegged them as inner disciples. As the ship came to a halt and they got off, both disciples bowed deeply to Elder Yan Xiu.

    ¡°Raise your heads,¡± Elder Yan Xiu said in a commanding voice. It wasn¡¯t the usual friendly mask he had with Chen Ren. He gestured toward Chen Ren, who stood slightly behind him. ¡°This young man here killed the demonic cultivator that plagued Cloud Mist City and earned the right to choose an item from the inner sect treasury.¡±

    Both disciples straightened and turned their gazes toward Chen Ren. Their eyes widened slightly as they sized him up, a mix of curiosity and respect flickering in their expressions. After a moment, they nodded in unison and stepped aside, granting them entry into the building.

    Elder Yan Xiu stepped forward, and Chen Ren followed, his eyes wandering as they entered. The interior had an ancient, almost timeless quality to it, similar to the aircraft. The wooden beams were covered with carvings and faint traces of qi emanated from the walls. Chen Ren continued to look around but a voice took his attention.

    ¡°This way. The second floor holds artefacts appropriate for your level.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded, trusting the elder¡¯s guidance. He trailed behind as they climbed a spiraling staircase, his hand brushing against the smooth wooden railing. The craftsmanship of the building was exquisite, blending functionality with artistry in a way that only innovative cultivators could achieve.

    But so was the silence and solace in the building. There were no guards, no bustling activity¡ªjust the two of them and the faint hum of qi-infused air. His eyes darted to the details around him: the glowing runes etched into the walls, the faint glimmers of light that danced across the ceiling, and the subtle hum of power that seemed to resonate from every corner.

    ¡°Elder Yan Xiu,¡± he began as they ascended, his curiosity getting the better of him, ¡°why is it so quiet here? I¡¯d expect a place like this to be heavily guarded.¡±

    The elder glanced back with a knowing smile. ¡°The arrays embedded in this building are more than enough to deter anyone foolish enough to try and steal from it. Only those with permission can pass beyond the first floor. Without it, the building itself will defend what¡¯s inside.¡±

    Chen Ren swallowed, nodding. It made sense, and the faint pressure of qi in the air served as a constant reminder of the power housed within these walls.

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    When they finally reached the second floor, the elder clasped his hands in his front.

    For a treasure trove as significant as this, he had expected at least a few disciples stationed outside. Yet the elder didn¡¯t seem concerned, stopping only when they reached a massive, intricately carved wooden door.

    ¡°Take your time,¡± Yan Xiu said. ¡°Choose wisely. Every artefact here has been curated for disciples like you¡ªpractical, powerful, and invaluable in the right hands. But know that, you may choose only one artifact. Just one. Whatever you walk out with will be yours, but no more than that.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded, swallowing his rising excitement. The elder pushed the door open, and as it creaked aside, Chen Ren stepped in¡ªand froze.

    Right in the center of the vast room, an enormous pile of coins shimmered in the faint light, glinting like a golden sea. His eyes widened, and for a moment, he could only stare in awe. It was almost as if he¡¯d walked into a gold mine. But no, they weren¡¯t the most valuable thing in the room.

    Around the room, neatly arranged on shelves, pedestals, and stands, were weapons, manuals, and artefacts. His eyes wandered towards them, knowing they were the real treasures.

    Forcing himself to focus, Chen Ren walked toward the section with manuals first, reasoning that these might hold the key to unique cultivation techniques. He picked up a random scroll, unrolling it to read its name aloud.

    ¡°[Eternal Tide Barrier].¡±

    He frowned, setting it aside and reaching for another. ¡°[Storm Saber Technique.]¡±

    One after another, he scanned through the names, his curiosity growing.

    ¡°All the manuals here are Earth-grade,¡± Elder Yan Xiu said, stroking his long beard. ¡°Whatever you pick will aid your cultivation greatly.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded, his eyes still glued to the books at hand.

    Still, after reading through a few more of them, he set the manuals back on their pedestals. He was tempted, but his current goal was survival. He needed something practical¡ªsomething tangible that could protect him in a fight.

    Turning his attention to another section, he wandered over to the artefacts and weapons. Swords, staffs, copper disks, and even what looked like ninja stars were displayed neatly, each radiating a faint, mysterious glow.

    As he inspected them, Chen Ren couldn¡¯t help but hesitate. A part of him wished Yalan were here to offer advice. But he quickly dismissed the thought; there was no way the elder would have allowed her to enter, and hiding her presence would have been impossible.

    His gaze roamed over the items until they landed on a piece of armour tucked away in the corner. Intrigued, he approached it and picked it up. To his surprise, it was lighter than it looked. The armour gleamed a dull silver, its surface etched with intricate runic inscriptions that pulsed faintly with power.

    Elder Yan Xiu stepped closer, a hint of approval in his eyes. ¡°That piece is called the Shatterguard Plate. Earth grade armour. A sturdy piece of armour, heavily enchanted. It¡¯s resistant to most qi-based attacks and provides excellent physical protection. But that¡¯s not all.¡±

    Chen Ren raised an eyebrow, waiting for the elder to continue.

    ¡°It has a unique enchantment,¡± Elder Yan Xiu explained. ¡°In dire situations, you can activate it to¡­ explode.¡±

    ¡°Explode?¡± Chen Ren echoed, his tone incredulous.

    The elder chuckled. ¡°Yes. Many cultivators who face demonic beasts or enemy cultivators find such enchantments useful. If they¡¯re certain of their demise, they can activate it to take their foe down with them. A last resort, but a potent one.¡±

    Chen Ren looked at the armour again, his fingers tracing the runes thoughtfully.

    ¡°Interesting,¡± he said. ¡°I do need good armour, but I¡¯m not sure if this is the right one for me.¡±

    Elder Yan Xiu nodded, letting him mull over the decision. ¡°Take your time. Choose wisely. An artifact is only as useful as its wielder¡¯s intent.¡±

    Chen Ren set the armor back gently, still unsure. There were so many options, and he only had one chance to pick the right one. He sighed quietly. It was a good piece, no doubt, but something gnawed at him. Could he really not do better?

    His thoughts turned to the logic of countless Xianxia tales he had read in his previous life. In those stories, protagonists always seemed to stumble upon legendary artifacts in the most unassuming corners of treasure rooms like this.

    A spark of inspiration lit in his mind. Turning away from the central displays, his eyes roved over the room, searching for something less obvious. That¡¯s when he noticed it¡ªa dusty box shoved into a dimly lit corner, its contents haphazardly strewn about. Necklaces and trinkets spilled over the edges like discarded junk.

    Curiosity piqued, Chen Ren walked over.

    ¡°Those are just one-use enchanted items,¡± Elder Yan Xiu said, waving a dismissive hand. ¡°Talismans in necklace form. They¡¯re not worth much and certainly not suitable for someone like you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Chen Ren replied with a shrug. ¡°I¡¯m just looking.¡±

    Kneeling by the box, he began sifting through its contents. As expected, most of the items were unimpressive¡ªnecklaces with faint enchantments, likely intended for quick escapes or minor attacks. Still, he didn¡¯t stop. He rummaged deeper, his hands brushing against cold metal, worn leather, and fragile beads.

    And then, something hot touched his palm.

    Chen Ren froze. His fingers closed around the object instinctively, and he pulled it out.

    It was a large, irregularly shaped black gem, its surface glossy yet veined with faint red lines that glowed dimly, like embers smoldering in the dark. The heat emanating from it wasn¡¯t searing but enough to make him grip it carefully.

    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± he muttered, turning the gem over in his hands.

    Elder Yan Xiu¡¯s gaze sharpened as he stepped closer, squinting at the gem. After a moment, he reached out and took it from Chen Ren, holding it up to the light.

    ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know,¡± the elder admitted, his voice tinged with surprise. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen this before. It doesn¡¯t seem to be a typical artifact. Judging by its shape and faint aura, it might be¡­ a dead beast egg.¡±

    ¡°A beast egg?¡± Chen Ren repeated, his brow furrowing.

    The elder nodded. ¡°Yes, though if it¡¯s here, it must have been considered useless. Likely dead for centuries, its energy long dissipated. I¡¯ve no idea who would have placed such a thing in the treasury, or why.¡±

    Chen Ren turned his attention back to the gem, now identified as a possible beast egg. His mind churned with possibilities. Could it really be dead? Something about it tugged at him, a faint, inexplicable feeling that there was more to this object than met the eye.

    If the elder¡¯s assessment was correct, why hadn¡¯t anyone discarded it? Why was it even here among Earth-grade treasures?

    His instincts screamed that this wasn¡¯t ordinary. If Xianxia logic held true, then an overlooked ¡°dead¡± egg could very well turn out to be something extraordinary.

    Chen Ren turned the gem over in his hands, still feeling the faint warmth emanating from it. An idea struck him, and he glanced at Elder Yan Xiu. ¡°What are you planning to do with this?¡±

    Elder Yan Xiu furrowed deeply. ¡°That thing? I¡¯ll throw it away. It doesn¡¯t belong here. Useless clutter in the treasury.¡±

    Chen Ren smiled. ¡°Then¡­ can I take it? Not as my reward, but as a souvenir. I study alchemy, and I might be able to use it for something. Even if it¡¯s dead, it could have its uses.¡±

    The elder studied him, his gaze thoughtful. ¡°You¡¯re an odd one, aren¡¯t you? Fine, take it. Better than letting it gather dust or tossing it out.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s face lit up with a grin. ¡°Thank you, Elder Yan.¡± He took it from his hand and carefully slipped the black gem into his pocket before striding back to the armour he had examined earlier. Without hesitation, he picked it up and said, ¡°I¡¯ll take this as my reward.¡±

    Elder Yan Xiu¡¯s lips curved into a slight smile. ¡°A wise choice.¡±

    Without wasting any time, Chen Ren donned the armor. Its snug fit surprised him, as if it were tailored for him, and its lightweight made it feel almost like a second skin. He rolled his shoulders, testing its flexibility, and found it perfect for combat.

    Once satisfied, he turned to Elder Yan Xiu and gave a deep bow. ¡°Thank you for this opportunity, Elder. I¡¯ll make the most of it.¡±

    He nodded, a rare flicker of respect in his eyes. ¡°You¡¯ve earned it. Few young cultivators are as brave¡ªor as resourceful¡ªas you.¡±

    As Chen Ren straightened, Elder Yan Xiu hesitated for a moment before speaking again. ¡°Do you truly not wish to study under me? My guidance could help you learn more about the golden dragon that aided you.¡±

    Chen Ren froze, the mention of the dragon sending a chill through him. He had known this would come up eventually, but not like this. Keeping his expression neutral, he responded with a question of his own. ¡°How do you know I don¡¯t already know about the golden dragon?¡±

    Elder Yan Xiu chuckled, the sound deep and knowing. ¡°I looked into your background. Nothing about it suggests you should possess the blessings of something so powerful. Dragons are legends, lost to time. For you to have formed a contract with one makes you... unique.

    ¡°One reason I offer you my discipleship is because the legend of the Dragonheart will spread. When it does, more sects will come looking for you. While I am amiable, many in the Soaring Sword Sect are not. They will use threats and force to claim you for themselves.¡±

    The words settled heavily in Chen Ren¡¯s mind. He had hoped to keep his connection to the golden dragon quiet, but with the tournament and its reveal, things were turning messy. He hesitated, weighing Elder Yan Xiu¡¯s words about the other sects. The stories he¡¯d heard of their politics and schemes didn¡¯t sit well with him.

    A sect backing might help stop anyone trying to take advantage of him, but did he really want that? He didn''t think so. Joining a sect meant getting trapped inside it and not being able to progress his Dao of Money.

    He met Elder Yan Xiu¡¯s gaze firmly. ¡°I appreciate your warning and your offer, Elder. But for now, I prefer to walk my own path.¡±

    Elder Yan Xiu studied him for a long moment before nodding slowly. ¡°Very well. Just know that when the time comes, the doors of the Soaring Sword Sect will remain open to you. Though, what''s your reason to reject my offer? I know City Lord Li hasn''t offered you anything.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded, debating whether he should tell the truth or not, but in the end, he decided that there was no use hiding the information since it would be easily accessible to someone like him. ¡°Actually, I¡¯m already part of a sect¡­ though it¡¯s an unofficial one that I¡¯m building myself. So, I can¡¯t enter any others.¡±

    Elder Yan Xiu raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ¡°A sect of your own?¡±

    Chen Ren nodded. ¡°Yes. I know other sects might come for me, but I believe my path is one I need to walk with people who truly trust me. If someone comes with bad intentions¡­ Well, it just means I need to get stronger, faster.¡±

    After a moment of thought, Chen Ren added with a wry smile, ¡°Besides, I can¡¯t run my businesses if I¡¯m tied to a sect. Sect economies are a headache I don¡¯t want to tackle right now.¡±

    ¡°Businesses?¡± Elder Yan Xiu asked, tilting his head and stroking his beard.

    Chen Ren¡¯s grin widened. ¡°It¡¯s something I¡¯m passionate about. A legacy from my ancestors, you could say. I enjoy creating things, trading, and watching them grow. It¡¯s a different kind of cultivation for me.¡±

    Elder Yan Xiu thinned his lips. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ unique, Chen Ren. I can respect your decision, even if it¡¯s unconventional. Very well, walk your own path. One of the disciples guarding the treasury will escort you back to the city.¡±

    Chen Ren bowed deeply. ¡°Thank you again, Elder Yan.¡±

    As he turned to leave, the elder¡¯s voice stopped him. ¡°Wait. What¡¯s the name of your sect?¡±

    Chen Ren paused, a glint of pride in his eyes. ¡°Divine Coin Sect.¡±

    With that, he walked out, the treasure room¡¯s grand doors closing behind him.

    ***

    Elder Yan Xiu remained in the treasury, gazing thoughtfully at the now-quiet room. His fingers brushed the carvings of the nearest artifact as he muttered, ¡°Divine Coin Sect¡­ and the Golden Dragon. A rogue cultivator who rejects the offer of a Soaring Sword elder to walk his own path.¡±

    He chuckled softly, shaking his head.

    Turning his gaze toward the array of treasures, his lips curled into a faint smile. ¡°Interesting times are ahead of us. I suppose I should keep my eyes open and do some studying of my own.¡±

    With that, he strode out of the treasury, the name of the Divine Coin Sect lingering in his mind.

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

    PS - Sorry for delay. I have been sick. I know the whole end of tournament arc got a lot of varied views and I understand the arguments against what I went for. But let me clarify that the golden dragon isn''t going to be there to solve Chen Ren''s every problem. If he gets in his body again currently, he would blast off. And yes, the story is gonna end volume 1 in two three chapters and next volume will have a lot more buisness building, sect recruitment for his company, expansion etc. And Chen ren will get more stronger, but I will try to make sure I understand the criticisms.

    Thank you for reading.

 Chapter 57: Future

    Chen Ren was able to get back to Cloud Mist City surprisingly fast. A part of him had wondered if the old elder might attempt to keep him as a disciple by any means necessary, but the man had been honourable.

    Despite returning with a trove of rewards, Chen Ren couldn¡¯t seem to sit in peace. News of his recovery spread quickly, and within days, dozens of invitations from both merchant and cultivation clans flooded in, each seeking his presence as a guest.

    He rejected them all.

    It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t want to build connections¡ªhe did. But his mind was preoccupied with questions about his future and the reality of his recent battle with Gu Tian. On the other hand, his businesses were flourishing, especially after the tournament, yet it didn¡¯t feel like enough.

    The memory of that fight lingered, a constant reminder that his strength had been insufficient. He had survived, yes, but only because of the dragon that was within him. And even that power came with uncertainty. He had no means of calling on it at will, no assurance it would come to his aid again. Worse, he couldn¡¯t guarantee his body would survive the strain if it did. The thought left him restless.

    There was only one path forward¡ªhe had to get stronger.

    His cultivation was intertwined with his businesses, so the decision was clear. It was time to look beyond Cloud Mist City. His heart raced at the prospect. Expanding both his sect and his business wasn¡¯t just a goal¡ªit was a necessity. And it was exactly what he had to do next.

    ¡°You¡¯re leaving?¡± Tang Jihao¡¯s voice rang with disbelief, his eyes widening.

    Chen Ren nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve decided not to trouble the Tang Clan anymore.¡±

    At his words, Tang Yuqiu, who had been sitting nearby, interjected, ¡°You know it¡¯s no trouble. A few months ago? Maybe. But now, a lot has changed. You staying here isn¡¯t just fine¡ªit¡¯s a boon.¡±

    Chen Ren offered her a small smile. ¡°I understand, but I stayed here because I had nowhere else to go. That¡¯s not the case anymore. I have responsibilities¡ªboth to my sect and my businesses¡ªand Cloud Mist City is starting to feel too small for me.¡±

    Tang Jihao crossed his arms, studying him carefully. ¡°Too small? How so?¡±

    Chen Ren leaned back and sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve done well with my stalls and perfumes, and I could keep creating similar products, but the growth would be slow. Until now, I¡¯ve focused on the mortal market here, and it¡¯s been successful. But I don¡¯t want to be confined to one city. I want to expand across the empire and for that¡­¡±

    ¡°And for that?¡± Jihao asked, though his expression suggested he already knew the answer.

    ¡°For that, I need to build a factory, diversify my products, and, most importantly, establish my sect. Cloud Mist City isn¡¯t the place for that. There''s already Soaring Sword Sect here and there''s no way I can take on it right now,¡± he said, having already thought about it in the last few days. ¡°If I try to make pills or talismans here to sell, I¡¯d be directly competing with them and as you know, I can¡¯t take them on. I¡¯d be crushed quickly. So, I need to look elsewhere in the empire¡ªa place from which I can expand everywhere.¡±

    Yuqiu opened her mouth to argue, but her father spoke first. ¡°Are you going to the land you got?¡±

    Chen Ren nodded. ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m abandoning Cloud Mist City. I still have Heavenly Fragrances here, along with my stall. I¡¯ll have people to manage them, and I¡¯ll keep visiting to check on their progress. As you know, it¡¯s not that far from the city, so I¡¯ll be able to come and go easily. Especially with my cultivation, I¡¯m far faster than any cart. But before I leave, I wanted to ask for something and talk more about the expansion plan.¡±

    Tang Jihao tilted his head. ¡°What do you want to ask?¡±

    Chen Ren smiled sheepishly. ¡°Tang Xiulan and Lihua. Mostly Xiulan since I want to take her with me as the manager of the sect. And in her absence, Lihua has agreed to stay behind and take care of the stall.¡±

    The old, sickly man raised an eyebrow. ¡°A manager, huh? That kid sure is talented, has a good head on her shoulders. When I first brought her to you, I didn¡¯t expect things to take such a turn. But I believe it¡¯s for the best.¡± He paused, then nodded. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll let her go and give Lihua the freedom to manage your stall. You¡¯ve helped Yuqiu a lot and killed that demonic cultivator. It¡¯s the least I can do. But this sect of yours? When you first told me about it, I was apprehensive. Honestly, I still am. I don¡¯t know how you¡¯re going to make it work.¡±

    Chen Ren smiled confidently, his eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. ¡°You¡¯ll know soon enough,¡± he said, leaving Tang Jihao to shake his head in bemusement. Then, he chuckled, turning his attention to Tang Yuqiu, who wore a faint frown. ¡°I thought you disliked me, but now you look sad about me leaving.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu¡¯s cheeks flushed faintly as she quickly looked away. ¡°I¡¯m not sad,¡± she retorted, her tone defensive. ¡°I¡¯m just... too used to seeing your face around.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯ll still see it¡ªjust less often.¡±

    He shifted topics seamlessly. ¡°Either way, before I leave, I wanted to discuss the expansion plans for Heavenly Fragrances with you.¡±

    At that, Tang Yuqiu¡¯s expression shifted, her usual sharp focus returning. As Chen Ren laid out his plans¡ªstrategies to increase production, establish trade routes, and expand Heavenly Fragrances¡¯ influence beyond Cloud Mist City¡ªher frown deepened, though this time with thoughtful consideration.

    She leaned forward, asking sharp questions and offering occasional suggestions. By the time the conversation wrapped up, her earlier embarrassment had vanished, replaced by a serious, professional demeanour.

    ¡°That¡¯s ambitious,¡± she said finally. ¡°But with the right resources and people, it could work.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded, his confidence unwavering. ¡°That¡¯s the plan. I¡¯ll leave the foundation in capable hands here and focus on building the next step.¡±

    Tang Jihao, who had been watching quietly, folded his arms with a smirk. ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve thought this through. I¡¯ll be keeping an eye on how far you can take it.¡±

    Chen Ren met his gaze with a smile. ¡°You won¡¯t be disappointed.¡±

    ***

    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    Chen Ren moved through the quiet, somber halls, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished stone floor. The place where urns were kept¡ª¡ªwas both imposing and serene, with corridors that seemed to stretch endlessly, lined with niches in the walls. Each compartment housed an urn, the final resting place for the ashes of someone who had once lived, laughed, and loved in the city.

    A few others roamed the halls, their expressions a mix of grief and reverence. The muted murmurs of visitors filled the air, a backdrop to the faint scent of incense that lingered in every corner.

    The priest walking beside him stopped abruptly, turning to him with a gentle smile. ¡°It¡¯s here,¡± he said, gesturing toward one of the walls.

    Chen Ren nodded. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    The priest¡¯s smile deepened, kind yet knowing. ¡°I¡¯ll give you time with it, Dragonheart,¡± he said softly before retreating down the corridor, leaving him alone.

    Chen Ren let out a wry chuckle, unused to the title. His gaze swept across the compartments, each a reminder of lives lost and memories preserved. The lingtang was a public place, directly controlled by the city lord¡¯s office, where the ashes of the departed were kept for families and visitors to honour them.

    Today, Chen Ren was here to visit the urn of a man he hadn¡¯t shared a good relationship with, Feng Ming.

    Standing before the niche, he hesitated. A swirl of conflicting emotions churned within him.

    Feng Ming had been no more than another arrogant young master, someone who had antagonized him in their every meeting. Yet, even as Chen Ren recalled their less-than-pleasant interactions, one thought remained firm in his mind¡ªFeng Ming¡¯s death had been unfair.

    Chen Ren sighed. No, he didn¡¯t. Feng Ming, like Cang Rui or Bai Shen, had been frustrating and pompous, someone Chen Ren had clashed with repeatedly. But for all his flaws, Feng Ming hadn¡¯t deserved more than a lesson or a beating to humble him. Death was too cruel an end.

    He stepped closer, his eyes lingering on the urn nestled within the wall, a silent testament to the fragility of life.

    Chen Ren stood in front of the small, unassuming urn, his expression unreadable.

    He believed that every person had the capacity to change if given the opportunity. Sadly, Feng Ming had never gotten that chance. Gu Tian had taken that away, cutting down a life before it could take a new direction. Chen Ren didn¡¯t feel guilt¡ªFeng Ming¡¯s death wasn¡¯t his fault¡ªbut he felt a weight nonetheless.

    ¡°I know we didn¡¯t have great interactions,¡± Chen Ren began. ¡°And you would never know it, but I¡¯m not the Chen Ren you knew. Still, even if I didn¡¯t think of you as a friend, I couldn¡¯t let Gu Tian¡¯s actions go unpunished. I killed him. If your soul is still out there somewhere, I hope you find peace knowing that.¡±

    He lit the candle in front of the urn, the flickering flame casting fleeting shadows on his face. Giving the urn one last look, he added with a faint, almost wistful smile, ¡°Maybe we¡¯ll meet in the next life and have a better relationship. I can at least attest to the fact that there is a next life. Until then... goodbye.¡±

    Turning around, Chen Ren slowly made his way out of the lingtang.

    In his previous life, he hadn¡¯t believed in souls or reincarnation. Such ideas had seemed fanciful and far-fetched. But here, in this world of cultivation, spirits and souls were some of the most normal things he would encounter.

    As he left, he silently hoped Feng Ming would find his rest.

    When he stepped outside, the sight waiting for him brought a flicker of surprise to his face. A large carriage was parked near the entrance, its interior already bustling with familiar faces.

    Tang Xiulan stood by it, managing the group of children he¡¯d taken under his wing, Mei Lin, Chun and Jian. But what caught his attention most was someone unexpected¡ªAnji. She stood on the side against the carriage, her eyes following him with a blank emotion in them.

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze shifted to the young woman, his eyebrows raising slightly. Before he could say anything, Tang Xiulan followed his line of sight and smirked. ¡°She wanted to tag along,¡± she said matter-of-factly.

    ¡°Is that true?¡± Chen Ren asked, his tone tinged with curiosity as he looked at Anji.

    Anji nodded confidently. ¡°Yes. I have no reason to stay in the city anymore. Miss Xiulan told me about your plans to establish a sect and how you¡¯ll need more hands. So I volunteered.¡±

    Chen Ren stared at her for a few seconds before shaking his head. ¡°Bringing you along means one more mouth to feed. I would need a good release to allow you to do so.¡±

    Anji rubbed her arms, not knowing what to say for a while before she lowered her head in an awkward bow. ¡°I know a bit of hunting, so food won''t be a problem and I know numbers, how to read and write, so I will be able to help out with the accounts. I know you have no obligation to bring me along, but I promise I won''t be a burden, so please can I join you?¡±

    Chen Ren looked at Anji, feeling a strange, unplaceable sensation as her words hung in the air. He wasn''t sure about letting her come with him. He had ignored the signs with Gu Tian, but he wouldn''t this time. Whatever he had observed of Anji told him that the woman had a past and it wasn''t ordinary. Just her knowing how to hunt and being literate meant that she was from a good family or even part of a sect. So why had she been living as a beggar? Her appearance also confirmed the fact since he could see that she looked far better than the average woman.

    A lot of time cultivation had a way to improve your appearance as you remove impurities from your body, but despite that, Anji was a mortal. He couldn''t deny the fact. But it simply made the mystery around her far harder to discern.

    As he thought more and more about his decision, Anji stood there with a mix of determination and vulnerability, waiting for his response. Finally, he nodded, his expression softening. ¡°Okay. You can come along. Take a seat inside.¡±

    Anji gave another small, awkward, but grateful bow before climbing into the carriage.

    ¡°She¡¯s hardworking,¡± Xiulan remarked from beside him, her tone light yet approving. ¡°I think she¡¯ll fit in just fine.¡±

    ¡°Hopefully. We will need to learn more about her though,¡± Chen Ren replied, his gaze shifting to the three children gathered nearby. ¡°What about the others?¡±

    ¡°Not everyone wanted to tag along,¡± Xiulan explained. ¡°Most of them have spent their entire lives here, so I left them under Lihua¡¯s care. She¡¯ll need help with the stall anyway, and they¡¯re already settled in the servants¡¯ courtyard at the Tang Clan.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°And Qing He? She didn¡¯t agree to come either?¡±

    Xiulan shook her head. ¡°No. She said she likes her tea stall too much to leave, especially for a village that hasn¡¯t even been properly set up yet. Something about her old bones not wanting to take the journey.¡± She paused, then added with a small smile, ¡°But she sent you books on cultivation disciplines and told me to remind you to visit her if you need anything.¡±

    Chen Ren chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ll definitely need to see her once we move into the next phase of our plans.¡± He glanced back at Xiulan. ¡°Did you pack everything?¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Xiulan replied with a confident nod.

    Chen Ren smiled. ¡°Then, let¡¯s go.¡±

    He reached for the carriage door and opened it, only to find Yalan already lounging inside. She looked up at him with a mix of boredom and irritation.

    Yalan said, yawning.

    Chen Ren arched a brow.

    Yalan scoffed and purred gracefully.

    Chen Ren chuckled, shaking his head as he climbed into the carriage. Questions, mysteries and a lot of thoughts filled him as he took his seat, but right now, he knew one thing.

    His path on the Dao of Money had just begun and there was a lot for him to explore. But before that, it was finally time to build his own company.

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter Epilogue 1

    The sun broke through the soft mist covering the mountains. Step by step, a lone figure climbed the stone stairs carved into the ancient rock, each step echoing gently in the quiet air. The man dressed in plain yet refined robes moved slowly, as though he wanted to enjoy every moment of the ascent.

    He climbed until he reached the peak, where the world opened into a stunning view. Before him stretched a vast, serene land with swaying trees and crystal-clear lakes sparkling under the sunlight¡ªa paradise that could leave any ordinary person breathless.

    At the center of the peak sat another figure, his back turned, hands gliding over the strings of an old guqin. The mournful notes floated through the air, both beautiful and sorrowful, as if the instrument itself grieved its solitude in this heavenly place.

    The man stopped and took in the sight. For a moment, time seemed to freeze, until the musician finally turned, a small smirk breaking the calm on his face. "I knew you¡¯d come," he said. "But I didn¡¯t expect it to take so long to find me. The cultivators of the Immortal Path aren¡¯t as capable as I thought."

    The man scoffed. "Your tricks around the mountains misled them. I killed those who couldn¡¯t see through the illusions," he replied, his voice sharp. The air grew heavy with tension at his words, as though bracing for the fight to come. "Now, it¡¯s your choice: join them in death, or hand over the medallion. I prefer talking before a fight, but my patience is running out. Don¡¯t waste my time, Silver Jade. Give me the medallion, and I¡¯ll spare you. I don¡¯t want to kill you now that you¡¯ve retired."

    Silver Jade laughed softly, shaking his head. "Two hundred years in solitude, and people think you¡¯re retired,¡± he said, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "I can¡¯t give you the medallion. That¡¯s why I hold it, not you. In your hands, it would destroy the world. I¡¯m sorry, but my answer is no."

    "I thought you¡¯d say that," the intruder replied, his voice cold. "Looks like I have no choice but to fight you."

    As he spoke, the air buzzed with energy, and his body began to change. Shadows curled around him, his skin darkened and cracked like old stone, and horns twisted grotesquely from his forehead, reaching toward the sky. In moments, the man was gone, replaced by a fearsome demonic figure, radiating power and ready to bring destruction to the once-peaceful peak.

    Silver Jade didn''t even flinch seeing the transformation. ¡°Every time I see that face, Jun, it makes me sick,¡± he spat, his voice steady but laced with contempt. ¡°I should¡¯ve ended you three centuries ago. But your master saved you when you chose the demonic path. Today, that mistake will be corrected.¡±

    Setting his guqin gently to the side, Silver Jade¡¯s eyes narrowed in focus. A jade sword began to form in his hands, its crystalline surface shimmering under the sun, its razor edge promising swift death. Without another word, he lunged at Jun, his movements fluid and precise, the strike aimed straight at his opponent¡¯s chest.

    Jun dodged effortlessly, a sly grin spreading across his face as he soared upward, his mocking laughter ringing through the air. ¡°Oh, is this all you¡¯ve got? That swing couldn¡¯t even touch me!¡± he jeered, his tone dripping with disdain. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Silver Jade refused to be baited, maintaining his composure as he launched another flurry of strikes, each more calculated than the last. The two clashed high above the ground, their figures blurring as they danced among the clouds. Jun¡¯s every dodge seemed almost lazy, his smugness infuriating as he continued his taunts. ¡°Have you truly fallen this far? Where¡¯s the strength you once wielded? You¡¯re making this far too easy.¡±

    But then, Silver Jade¡¯s blade found its mark. The sharp edge slashed across Jun¡¯s shoulder, and for a brief moment, triumph flickered in Silver Jade¡¯s eyes.

    That moment was fleeting.

    Dark flames erupted from the wound, racing up the blade toward Silver Jade¡¯s hands. He recoiled, dropping the sword as pain seared through him. ¡°The dark flames¡­¡± he whispered, realising dawning. ¡°You¡­ you killed one of the phoenixes to refine them!¡±

    Jun¡¯s laughter echoed once more, darker this time, almost melodic in its cruelty. ¡°Clever, but not quite right. It wasn¡¯t one of the elders¡ªit was one of its hatchlings. A small price to pay for power.¡± He raised his hand, flames curling and twisting around it with an almost sentient hunger. ¡°These flames don¡¯t just burn, Silver Jade. They heal.¡±

    To prove his point, Jun flexed his shoulder, and the flames consumed the wound, stitching it together as though it had never existed. His grin widened. ¡°Watch closely now¡ªthis is the power you¡¯ll never have!¡±

    With a flourish, Jun unleashed a barrage of dark fireballs, each crackling with destructive energy as they sped toward Silver Jade.

    Acting quickly, Silver Jade conjured massive jade shields to block the onslaught. The fireballs collided with the barriers, their impact sending shockwaves through the air. But the dark flames burned too fiercely, melting through the jade like it was paper, forcing Silver Jade to twist and dive, narrowly evading the molten destruction.

    Jun didn¡¯t let go. A blade of dark fire formed in his hand, glowing ominously as he closed the distance between them. He pursued Silver Jade relentlessly, his strikes gaining speed and ferocity, flames trailing in his wake like a comet. Each clash of their weapons sent ripples of energy tearing through the sky, shaking the mountain below. Rocks crumbled, and the landscape buckled under the force of their battle.

    Silver Jade, now pushed to his limits, could feel the strain bearing down on him. Jun¡¯s relentless assault and the regenerative power of his flames tipped the scales heavily in his favor. For every strike Silver Jade managed to land, Jun¡¯s dark flames restored him, erasing the damage and leaving Silver Jade struggling to keep up.

    Realizing he was going to lose like this, Silver Jade gritted his teeth and decided to unleash his full power. He dodged another strike and shouted, ¡°Jade Cage Domain!¡±

    The world around them changed instantly. Large ripples of qi blasted out from the man, transforming the world around them. Jade crystals shot up from the ground, forming a glowing yet suffocating cage that surrounded Jun. Silver Jade smirked, confident that he had finally trapped his enemy. But as the jade crystals closed in, Jun¡¯s face shifted. ¡°Your domain is impressive, as always,¡± he admitted, even as he felt the danger growing closer.

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    Then Jun raised his arms, flames bursting forth with a fierce energy. ¡°But my domain is nothing to underestimate either,¡± he countered.

    As his power surged, flames spiraled around him, shaping into a terrifying figure¡ªa massive, grotesque phoenix made of dark fire.

    The dark phoenix let out a roar, its fiery wings spreading wide as it devoured the jade, turning it to ash in a brilliant blaze that lit up the sky. It rushed toward Silver Jade, ready to engulf him in its fury. The battle¡¯s balance shifted at that moment, their domains clashing to decide their fates and the future of the realms they sought to either protect¡ªor destroy.

    The phoenix screeched, its blazing wings scorching the air as it dove toward the jade barriers, its fiery talons tearing through the constructs like molten blades. Energy crackled through the air as Silver Jade summoned a massive green barrier, using the last of his qi reserves to form a glowing shield.

    ¡°Burn!¡± Jun¡¯s voice rang out, triumphant, as the phoenix tore through the shield. Flames consumed the jade domain¡¯s core, and shattered fragments rained down like a storm. Silver Jade fell through the sky. The jade-covered mountain below crumbled, burying the instrument that the man had been playing under piles of rubble.

    Jun stepped forward, the phoenix shrinking into a wisp of flame that returned to his hand, taking the shape of a dark, fiery sword. He smiled slowly, his sharp grin full of confidence, as he surveyed the destruction. But as the smoke cleared, his amusement faded.

    From the wreckage, Silver Jade rose, encased in a full suit of jade armor. The armor shimmered with a soft glow, power that had saved his life radiating off it.

    Jun tilted his head, his blade humming with dark energy. ¡°Still alive? I¡¯ll give you credit¡ªI didn¡¯t expect that. But you must know, this armor of yours¡ª¡± he gestured with his blade, ¡°¡ªonly delays the inevitable.¡± He stepped closer, his every movement deliberate and heavy with intent.

    Silver Jade¡¯s voice broke the silence, strained yet unyielding. ¡°Demon, you can kill me, but you¡¯ll never get the medallion!¡±

    Jun laughed, low and cruel, the sound curling through the air like smoke. ¡°Why not?¡± He spread his arms, his flame sword hovering near Silver Jade¡¯s throat. ¡°I only want it because it¡¯s holding me back. Progression is my sole purpose¡ªthe reason I get up every morning. To ascend. The feeling of reaching the next level of power, breaking past limits... It''s the greatest pleasure in the world. Better than any drink. Better than any whore in my harem.¡± His eyes burned with hunger. ¡°I¡¯ve been starving for that feeling for so long. And now, I¡¯m finally about to have it again. Your righteousness won¡¯t stop me.¡±

    Silver Jade scowled, his fingers twitching as he growled through gritted teeth, ¡°Die!¡±

    June moved to cut off his head, but froze mid-step, his eyes narrowing as he caught the subtle shift in the man¡¯s expression and the power stored within them. Realization dawned on him. ¡°A forbidden technique, is it?¡± he asked, amusement lacing his voice. ¡°You¡¯re planning to self-destruct. How noble.¡± He tilted his head mockingly, his grin returning. ¡°But here¡¯s the thing: I¡¯ve got artifacts strong enough to survive it. And when you¡¯re dead, I¡¯ll go straight for your disciples¡ªah, yes, Lilan and Daomi, wasn¡¯t it? Lovely names. I¡¯ll make sure to hunt them down and kill them, one by one.¡±

    Silver Jade flinched, his moment of hesitation betraying his resolve.

    Jun¡¯s smile widened, his blade flaring with dark fire as he prepared to strike. ¡°So, tell me, hero¡ªwill you still throw your life away knowing I¡¯ll rain hell on everything you¡¯ve ever cared for?¡±

    Jun¡¯s blade hovered inches from Silver Jade¡¯s throat, the dark flames licking the edges of the man¡¯s shimmering armor. Silver Jade¡¯s gaze hardened, his lips moving silently as if reciting a final prayer. Jun¡¯s eyes narrowed, watching every twitch and flicker of emotion.

    ¡°Ah,¡± Jun said, his tone suddenly light, almost conversational. ¡°You¡¯re thinking of your disciples, aren¡¯t you? Have you heard of them? You know Daomi, that little brat recently became a marquis. Got a shiny, new title, a wife and even have a daughter on the way. How charming.¡± Jun¡¯s smile darkened. ¡°Do you want me to go there and wreak havoc? Burn their estate, watch their lives crumble? I¡¯m very confident I can escape before the other domain holders arrive.¡±

    The latter¡¯s expression shifted, the anger giving way to something else¡ªfear. He clenched his fists, his armor dimming slightly as his aura faltered.

    Jun took a step closer, his smile widening as if savoring the man¡¯s torment. ¡°Ah, even for someone as old as you, someone who has seen more death than most, your disciples are still precious, aren¡¯t they? How dramatic. So, what¡¯s it going to be?¡± He leaned in, his blade tilting to reflect Silver Jade¡¯s face. ¡°You know me well enough to know I¡¯m fully capable of keeping my promises. Just give me the medallion... and die. You¡¯ve got five seconds.¡±

    Jun raised his hand, counting down with deliberate slowness. ¡°Five... four... three...¡± He sang the numbers.

    ¡°Wait!¡± Silver Jade¡¯s voice cracked. ¡°I¡¯ll give it to you.¡±

    Jun stopped counting, his grin returning. ¡°Good. A wise choice.¡±

    Silver Jade¡¯s trembling hands reached into his robes, pulling out a medallion that glowed faintly. It bore unique carvings, its energy palpable even at a distance. He extended it toward Jun, who snatched it eagerly.

    Holding the medallion up to the light, Jun¡¯s eyes gleamed with triumph. ¡°Finally...¡± he murmured, his thumb tracing its surface.

    ¡°You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re doing, Jun,¡± Silver Jade said, his voice heavy with regret. ¡°Your master picked you out when you were just a commoner, raised you to a position of power, and now you¡¯ve betrayed everything he stood for¡ªall for the sake of¡ª¡±

    Before the man could finish, Jun¡¯s flaming blade swept through the air, cutting cleanly through his throat. Blood sprayed as Silver Jade¡¯s body collapsed, the jade armor cracking and fading into dust.

    ¡°Immortality,¡± Jun said, finishing the man¡¯s sentence with a smirk. He shook his head, muttering to himself, ¡°I really need to stop killing everyone. My body count must be in the tens of thousands by now.¡± He chuckled darkly, his eyes returning to the medallion.

    As he held it up, studying its patterns, a smile crept across his face. ¡°Finally, I have one piece. Now, if only I can get the others fast enough...¡±

    His words trailed off as a strange sensation washed over him. Jun¡¯s eyes darted to his spatial ring, his smile fading slightly. Something was stirring inside.

    With a flick of his wrist, he retrieved a small lantern from its depths. The artifact, made of dark metal and engraved with ancient runes, shimmered faintly in his palm. Inside, a tiny flame flickered, its light dimming with each passing second.

    Jun frowned, holding the lantern up to his face as the flame sputtered, shrinking to a faint ember before vanishing completely. A sharp crack echoed through the air as the lantern¡¯s surface split, thin fractures racing along its once-pristine surface.

    His eyes widened slightly, his expression unreadable. ¡°Well,¡± he muttered, his voice low, ¡°that¡¯s... surprising.¡± He turned the cracked lantern over in his hands, as if searching for answers. ¡°Someone managed to kill Gu Tian and that old master of his. I didn¡¯t expect that.¡±

    Jun chuckled softly, the sound devoid of humor. ¡°Guess you really do see something new every day, even at my age. But the question is...¡± He stared at the broken lantern, a spark of curiosity gleaming in his dark eyes. ¡°Who could¡¯ve managed it? A master cultivator, perhaps? Some wandering genius? Or...¡± His lips curled into a wicked grin. ¡°The one who holds the medallion.¡±

    His gaze fell to the lifeless body of Silver Jade, still sprawled on the ground amidst the shattered remnants of his armor. Jun¡¯s voice dropped to a whisper, filled with quiet malice. ¡°Well, whoever it is that holds that medallion... their fate will be the same as his.¡±

    He stepped over the body, his flaming blade dissipating as he slid the medallion into his robes. The air around him grew heavy with his oppressive aura as he glanced toward the horizon, his thoughts already racing ahead to the next step in his pursuit.

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

 Chapter Epilogue 2

    Li Xuan¡¯s fists were clenched at his sides as he tried to calm his raging qi. He forced himself to focus inward, but the violent energy refused to settle¡ªwhich meant that his mind was far from balance. But his feet didn¡¯t halter.

    He had learned a long time ago that a cultivator¡¯s qi mirrored their emotions, and this unruly force revealed a truth he didn¡¯t want to face¡ªhe was not at peace. For the past two weeks, the turbulent energy had followed him like a shadow, throughout his recovery period in his home.

    The city lord¡¯s estate, his home, should have been a place of comfort.

    His mother had tended to him herself, applying medicinal herbs to his wounds, her soft hands working on him as they always did. She had even gotten pills from an affluent alchemist to help him overcome the paralysis that had gripped him after the battle. They¡¯d worked on him efficiently.

    ¡°You did well, my son,¡± she had said, her voice filled with pride. ¡°You stood tall against a demon. Few could say the same. You will grow stronger, I know it.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t the first time she had spoken such words. As a child, whenever he lost a sparring match against older or more skilled opponents, her voice had been his anchor, a balm for his wounded pride. Yet this time, her encouragement felt hollow, unable to reach the depths of his unease. He¡¯d given her a nod, not commenting on the fact that no matter what, he had still lost.

    His father¡¯s reaction had been different. The disappointment in the city lord¡¯s eyes had been subtle but undeniable, like a cold wind cutting through Li Xuan¡¯s fragile sense of accomplishment. Though his father had accepted the truth¡ªthat his opponent had been the demonic cultivator who had terrorized the city and wasn''t an easy opponent to face¡ªLi Xuan knew the man had expected more. Expected victory, like he always did.

    And perhaps that was what stung the most. His mother¡¯s reassurances, his father¡¯s quiet judgment, neither could quell the storm within him. The demon¡¯s mocking laughter still echoed in his mind, the memory of his defeat replaying with merciless clarity.

    He sighed as he paused mid-thought, his qi flaring for a moment before settling into its calm state. He inhaled deeply, closing his eyes as he tried to steady chaotic thoughts. But annoyingly, the qi flared up once again.

    He needed control¡ªover his qi, over his emotions, over himself. But the harder he tried, the more calmness seemed to slip away, like sand through his fingers.

    This wasn¡¯t like him. The Li Xuan he had been before the battle, before the defeat, would never have let himself falter. But the Li Xuan of now¡ªhe wasn¡¯t sure who that was anymore.

    But he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that he had let his mother down. No matter how much he thrived to grow stronger, in the end, he had been weak. That realization gnawed at him, leaving an ache deeper than his injuries. In truth, he had also disappointed himself.

    Hence, as soon as he had recovered, he had left for the sect, not wanting to stay in bed any longer.

    The steps carved into the mountain shadowed before him, and he climbed them at an uncharacteristically slow pace.

    He mulled over his defeat, the demon, his parents, and most of all, what his master would say when they met.

    His qi flared wildly at the thought of his master, and it took every ounce of focus to suppress it. His master had entrusted him with a simple yet monumental task¡ªkill the demonic cultivator, bringing glory to the sect and himself. But instead, Li Xuan lost. Lost in front of thousands, and he knew the sect would be buzzing with the news. A core disciple like him, bested by a body-forging realm demon, was nothing short of disgraceful, no matter the tricks the demon had employed.

    What stung even more was the person who had killed the demonic cultivator in the end. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Less than a year ago, Li Xuan had defeated Chen Ren with ease. Yet now, Chen Ren had slain the demon Li Xuan couldn¡¯t. And not just slain it¡ªChen Ren had gone further, forming a spirit contract with a dragon, a heavenly creature revered above all else.

    It felt unreal, like a tale spun by drunken storytellers. But the traces of heavenly qi lingering in the air during his recovery had been undeniable. His father¡¯s confirmation only solidified it. Chen Ren had done the impossible.

    Step by step, Li Xuan climbed, his qi lashing out as his thoughts spiraled.

    By the time he reached the sect gates, he felt drained, both physically and mentally. He barely remembered flashing his sect token to the disciples guarding the gate or the brief nod they gave him. He trudged through the inner sect towards his residence, his mind heavy with unease.

    On the way, whispers reached his ears¡ªdisciples murmuring about his defeat. The rumors were exaggerated, painting his battle in horrifying detail. Some claimed the demon had nearly killed him. Others added embellishments, like how he had begged for mercy. He heard it all, though no one dared approach him.

    Li Xuan knew why. They were afraid to be the first to step forward. But beneath that hesitation, he could sense the undercurrent of excitement. His defeat meant they could challenge him, using the excuse of "trading pointers." It was inevitable.

    He had been in their place once, a fresh disciple eager to climb the ranks. Back then, he had fought and won every challenge with unshakable confidence. Now, that confidence was a distant memory. As he entered his quarters, Li Xuan clenched his fists, unsure if he had the strength to face the trials that awaited him.

    Li Xuan''s steps eventually brought him before the imposing doors of his master''s chamber. He steadied his breathing and called out, "Master, Li Xuan is here."

    "Come in."

    As Li Xuan pushed the heavy doors open and entered, an oppressive aura washed over him, pressing down like a weight on his very soul. Instinctively, he fell to his knees and kowtowed, his forehead nearly touching the floor. His master''s presence was overwhelming, a testament to the vast gulf between their cultivation levels.

    The silence stretched until Master Xiaosheng''s voice, sharp and cutting, broke through. "Li Xuan, I sent you to the tournament expecting victory. I gave you a task, yet you failed¡ªnot only in winning but also in succumbing to a demonic cultivator. Do you understand the shame you have brought upon the righteous path? For a disciple of my lineage to falter so pitifully, I am left questioning if your mother¡¯s blood has truly weakened you."

    The remark struck a nerve, and Li Xuan felt his qi swirl violently, mirroring the storm in his heart. But he forced himself to remain composed, suppressing the chaos within. "Master," he said, his voice steady but tinged with regret, "I accept any punishment you deem fit. There are no excuses for my failure."

    Master Xiaosheng¡¯s gaze bore into him, cold and calculating. "You will receive your punishment once I have concluded the sect meetings." He paused, then continued, "But for now, tell me what you know of this Chen Ren."

    Li Xuan froze at the mention of the name, his thoughts racing for the reason why his master was asking about him. The Chen Ren he had defeated a year ago and the one who had stood victorious in the tournament seemed like entirely different people. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he spoke carefully. "Chen Ren is... confident, intelligent, and resourceful. I fought him before, but the man I faced and the one he has become now are worlds apart. He has grown immensely."

    His master¡¯s eyes narrowed. "Is it true he bonded with a dragon?"

    Li Xuan hesitated. "I did not witness it myself," he admitted, "but there were enough credible witnesses for it to be true."

    Master Xiaosheng frowned deeply at that.

    "The sect wishes to bring him in. We need to learn more about the elusive dragons that have vanished from this world. Yet he rejected us."

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    The silence following that statement was thick, laden with his master''s discontent. Li Xuan dared not speak further, silently contemplating the implications of his master''s words. Months back, Chen Ren himself had taken part in the entrance exams to make his way into the Soaring Sword Sect, but now he didn''t wish to do so. Why was that?

    "That old fool Elder Yan even defended him," Li Xuan¡¯s master sneered, cutting through his thoughts. "Said we shouldn¡¯t force him, as if such a talent could be left to roam free! But mark my words, I¡¯ll have a meeting to decide the sect¡¯s official stance regarding this Chen Ren. Until then, I¡¯ll be busy. Go train or meditate upon your failure, Li Xuan. When I¡¯m done, I¡¯ll inform you of your punishment. Just know this¡ªfail me again, and you¡¯ll need to find another master! Dismissed!"

    Li Xuan didn¡¯t wait for further dismissal. Bowing low, he turned and left the room, his thoughts swirling like the chaotic qi in his dantian.

    There was nothing more to say.

    But instead of returning to his chamber to rest and reflect, he let his feet guide him to a place that had always offered solace¡ªthe forest where he trained every day. The massive trees and rustling leaves brought a sense of calm that he hadn¡¯t felt since the tournament. Because here, in the middle of the wilderness, he could forget everything else except the Dao of the Sword.

    Drawing his blade, he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. The load of the sword in his hand felt familiar, grounding. He took his stance, letting the rhythm of his breathing align with the pulse of his qi. For a moment, peace overcame him.

    But then, his master¡¯s words echoed in his mind.

    His grip tightened on the hilt as his qi swirled violently, breaking the fragile calm. He didn¡¯t fight it this time. Instead, he unleashed it, lightning crackling in the air as his emotions surged unchecked.

    His sword moved in an arc, slashing through a nearby tree.

    The wood splintered, and the tree crashed to the ground, but Li Xuan didn¡¯t stop. Strike after strike, his blade cut through trunk after trunk, each swing accompanied by bursts of lightning that scorched the earth.

    ¡°I am not weak!¡± he yelled painfully.

    The forest became a battlefield, trees falling like soldiers under his resentful assault. Lightning danced wildly around him, lighting up the destruction he wrought. Splinters and shards of wood flew in every direction, some cutting into his flesh, drawing blood, but he didn¡¯t care. He was lost in the craze, his qi spiraling out of control as his strikes grew faster and more erratic.

    ¡°I am not weak!¡± he shouted again, his voice breaking as his knees buckled.

    Finally, the storm of lightning around him dissipated, leaving behind a hollow silence. Li Xuan dropped to the ground, panting heavily, his sword slipping from his grasp. His body ached, his qi drained, and as he looked around, he saw the devastation he had caused. The forest clearing was littered with felled trees, an entire stretch of wilderness reduced to rubble by his rage.

    He took a shaky breath, his chest heaving as realization set in. His qi, now calm, pulsed faintly in his dantian. The anger that had fueled his frenzy dissipated, leaving behind an emptiness that was almost unbearable.

    He whispered to himself, ¡°I can¡¯t keep doing this. If I let my anger rule me... if I keep losing control like this, I¡¯ll become no different from the demonic cultivators I despise.¡±

    Closing his eyes, Li Xuan took several deep breaths, each one slower and more deliberate than the last. He sat there amidst the destruction, the scent of charred wood and ozone heavy in the air, and began to meditate. He had to regain control¡ªnot just of his qi but of himself.

    Because if he didn¡¯t, he knew he would never rise again.

    As Li Xuan sat amidst the carnage of the forest. His breathing steadied a faint clarity began to emerge from the storm of his emotions. He focused his thoughts, letting the silence of the surroundings seep into his mind. Slowly, like a trickle of water carving through stone, his anger gave way to contemplation.

    Chen Ren.

    The name echoed in his mind, sharper than the whispers he had heard on his way to his chambers. He thought of the man he had defeated not so long ago¡ªa man who had seemed destined for mediocrity. Chen Ren had fallen, humiliated in their duel. Yet, instead of wallowing in defeat, he had risen stronger.

    Far stronger.

    He had fought and defeated cultivators far above his level, slain a demonic cultivator who had bested Li Xuan, and formed a spirit contract with a dragon¡ªa feat that seemed like a legend told by elders rather than reality. The contrast between them felt like a chasm, and Li Xuan¡¯s fists clenched as the truth settled deep within him.

    The question stabbed at his pride, but the answer was uncomfortably clear. Not like this. Not while anger ruled his heart and chaos consumed his qi. Not while he let his failures weigh him down rather than lift him up.

    If he wanted to rise, if he wanted to reclaim his honor, he had to start from the foundation. Control his anger. Master his qi. Refine his swordsmanship. Only then could he think of restoring the pride he had lost.

    Li Xuan exhaled slowly, his breath a plume of frost in the crisp mountain air.

    The heavens, after all, did not allow anyone to ascend without trials. They struck down the promising, tested their resolve, and forged the worthy in the fires of adversity. Was this his trial? A hammer blow meant to temper him into something greater?

    Shaking his head, Li Xuan rose to his feet. His body ached from the exertion, blood seeping from shallow cuts where splinters had pierced his skin, but he ignored it. He sheathed his sword, his grip firm and resolute.

    ¡°Chen Ren,¡± he muttered, ¡°I will defeat you. The man who killed the demonic cultivator. Dragonheart.¡±

    His gaze swept across the ruined clearing, the destruction standing as a testament to his emotions¡ªwild, uncontrolled, and wasteful. That would not do. Not anymore.

    ¡°I will defeat you,¡± he repeated, louder this time, his voice cutting through the quiet like a blade. ¡°And I will reclaim my honour like a righteous cultivator should. Just you wait!¡±

    The words hung in the air, a vow etched into the fabric of his being. With one last glance at the destruction he had wrought, Li Xuan turned and began the walk back to the sect, his steps steady, his mind sharper.

    The path ahead would be long and arduous, but that was the way of the heavens. And he would tread it, step by step, until he stood above all¡ªincluding Chen Ren.

    ***

    Qing He turned the lock on the door of her tea stall with a soft click, pausing for a moment before stepping back to give the empty shop one last look. The late evening light filtered through the windows, showing off the worn wooden tables and the simple counter. Her eyes lingered at a particular spot near the window, where a solitary chair stood slightly askew, as if someone had just risen from it.

    That was where Chen Ren always used to sit.

    She sighed. ¡°By now, he should be far away from the city. Off on his dangerous endeavour, building a sect of all things.¡± She shook her head, the corners of her mouth twitching. ¡°I don¡¯t know why, but somehow, I feel like he might just pull it off.¡±

    Her thoughts wandered, unbidden, to the golden dragon. A magnificent creature no one had bonded with for centuries, perhaps even longer. Yet, that brat had managed it. The sheer audacity of his achievement spoke of destiny¡ªan immense, cosmic design Chen Ren seemed at the center of.

    Destiny was not something Qing He usually placed much faith in. She had lived long enough to see it twisted by human hands. And yet, in this case, she could not deny the pull of something greater. The thought unsettled her, but it also brought a spark of curiosity.

    She shook her head again, more firmly this time, brushing away the nagging thoughts. ¡°Destiny or not, he has a long road ahead,¡± she murmured.

    Her footsteps were soft against the wooden floor as she walked down the narrow staircase leading to her private quarters above the shop. The upstairs were quiet, and it was the complete opposite of the noise that usually filled the stall during the day. Her ears craved this sort of quietness.

    She paused in front of her library, her fingers brushing softly over the spines.

    Without hesitation, she entered it and selected a specific book out of the few dozens she had carefully brought with her to this mortal town. Her hand moved to the back of the bookshelf, pressing a hidden button. With a soft mechanical whir, the entire shelf slid to the side, revealing a secret compartment embedded in the wall.

    Inside lay a small collection of books, their covers aged and dusty from years of concealment. Qing He knelt and carefully removed the topmost book, her fingers brushing away the layer of dust to reveal its intricate cover.

    The cover was a masterpiece of detail and artistry, depicting the Four Heavenly Beasts.

    At the top, the Crimson Phoenix soared gracefully. Opposite it, the Black Turtle coiled protectively around a serpentine dragon, its shell gleaming with emerald colour. Below them, the White Tiger crouched, its eyes fierce and intelligent, its stripes jagged like streaks of lightning¡ªa symbol of martial might and unmatched ferocity. But it was the final figure in the centre that commanded Qing He¡¯s attention¡ªa Golden Dragon.

    The dragon¡¯s scales seemed almost alive, shimmering with a lustre that spoke of untamed power. Its piercing eyes glowed with ancient wisdom, and its sinuous body coiled as if ready to spring from the cover itself. The detail was so vivid, Qing He half-expected to feel the dragon¡¯s aura emanating from the book.

    She opened the book with care, the pages crackling faintly under her touch. The first image was a portrait of the golden dragon, its form rendered in stunning detail, surrounded by celestial clouds and rays of divine light.

    Her eyes lingered on the image as she muttered, ¡°It seems like I need to do some reading of my own for what¡¯s to come.¡±

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

    PS - Li Xuan will have a good arc I think a lot of people will like. Thank you for reading volume 1. I know there were criticisms by the end of it, but I believe you all be satisfied with volume 2 since Chen Ren will be relying on his wits more.

 Chapter 58: Currency and a new start

    Chen Ren looked outside the carriage, his eyes staring off into the distance as his mind raised thoughts about currencies.

    On Earth, people had started with bartering¡ªtrading goods and services to meet their needs. It was a basic system, full of flaws, but it had worked at the time. Eventually, coins appeared, shaped and made differently depending on the culture.

    The Romans had their denarii, the Chinese used cash coins, and other civilizations had their own forms of money. Then came paper money¡ªlight and practical for bigger trades. Nations worldwide adopted it, tying it to a global system where its value constantly shifted due to markets and politics.

    In this Xianxia world, things weren¡¯t too different, at least for mortals. Bartering had long been replaced by a currency system of copper and silver wens, minted officially by the emperor. These coins kept the mortal markets moving. In fact, a reliable system that everyone followed.

    But for cultivators, the rules were different. Their currency had always been the source of their power¡ªQi. More precisely, Qi in its solid form: spirit stones. These stones were like crystals, holding raw energy inside them. Their worth wasn¡¯t decided by people but by the power they carried.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t know exactly how much Qi was in a single stone. All he knew was that low-grade stones had less energy and weaker power, while higher-grade stones held far more Qi and were much stronger. He didn¡¯t bother with the details. What mattered was collecting as many spirit stones as possible¡ªfor himself, his sect, and the goals he had set.

    Looking down at the bag in his hands, a small smile crept onto his face. He untied the leather cord and peeked inside at the glowing pile of low-grade spirit stones. The crystals were glowing under the sunlight. He couldn¡¯t help but raise one into the air and closely observe.

    Then, he got to work.

    He counted them again and grinned. Ninety stones.

    He¡¯d started with an even hundred, but before leaving Cloud Mist City, he had spent ten to secure an official status for the Divine Coin Sect. It was a hefty price, and the loss still stung a little.

    ¡°Worth it,¡± he muttered, tying the bag shut swiftly.

    For Chen Ren, getting official sect status wasn¡¯t about pride¡ªit was a smart move. An official sect wasn¡¯t only prestigious; it was a shield against heavy taxes.

    Now, he didn¡¯t have to pay the steep 20% yearly tax the local authorities collected for the capital. Even better, as his sect¡¯s rank rose, the taxes would drop further. If he could push the Divine Coin Sect to the rank of a Guardian Sect, he wouldn¡¯t owe any taxes at all.

    The thought stuck with him, especially when he considered sects like the Soaring Sword Sect. Their endless, fat wealth wasn¡¯t just from their resources; their high status freed them from any tax obligations.

    Chen Ren¡¯s hand brushed the pouch of spirit stones tied to his waist as he sat deep in thought. Until a feline voice broke through the silence.

    Blinking, Chen Ren turned toward the voice. Yalan, his sharp-tongued feline companion, sprawled lazily across Tang Xiulan¡¯s lap in the carriage. The pair of ambers glinted mischievously as her tail flickered.

    To her left, the street children huddled together under a thick blanket, fast asleep. Up front, Anji held the reins behind the small window, her face set with extreme focus as she steered the carriage. She¡¯d insisted on driving to prove herself, tackling the job without a word of complaint.

    Chen Ren sighed, leaning back. Mentally, he replied to Yalan,

    Yalan snorted, her whiskers twitching as if the idea amused her.

    Chen Ren couldn¡¯t help but smile at her predictable attitude. She¡¯d always been like this.

    Shaking his head, he replied

    Yalan opened her mouth, ready to speak, but Chen Ren ignored her, pulling out a notebook and quill instead. He began writing. The notebook was something he¡¯d recently decided to maintain¡ªa detailed status of his progress and plans.

    The pages already contained his name, age, cultivation level, elemental affinity, techniques, and businesses like a status screen. After a moment of thought, he added a new section: Goals.

    Uncover the secrets of the medallion and the golden dragon.Explore opportunities for new businesses.Expand the sect.

    As he finished jotting down the last line, Yalan¡¯s voice cut through his focus again.

    she said.

    Chen Ren smiled wryly, his quill pausing mid-air. Yalan¡¯s bluntness wasn¡¯t new to him, but he also knew her well enough to see through her words. If she¡¯d truly doubted him, she wouldn¡¯t have stayed by his side this long.

    Looking up at her, he replied, He trailed off, his gaze flicking briefly to Tang Xiulan and the children sleeping soundly beside her.

    he admitted, his tone softening.

    Yalan tilted her head, her tail swishing as if to urge him to continue.

    Chen Ren turned toward Tang Xiulan and put his hand on her shoulders. Her eyes fluttered open, sharp and alert despite the long journey.

    ¡°Xiulan,¡± he began, ¡°I think it¡¯s time we discuss what¡¯s next¡ªwhat happens when we reach Meadow Village.¡±

    It took a moment for her to reorient herself before she nodded, sitting up straighter. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for this conversation, young master. I need to know what you expect from me.¡±

    The air in the carriage grew heavier, but not with tension¡ªwith purpose. Chen Ren¡¯s mind spun with possibilities, but now, it was time to turn ideas into action.

    "Yes, the first thing should be setting up a base. We¡¯ll hire locals to start construction on a proper sect building. I¡¯ve already sketched out a few plans for that. Once the groundwork is laid, the second priority will be recruitment. You, Anji, and the kids are a great start, but we¡¯ll need more hands¡ªespecially cultivators. A sect without cultivators won¡¯t last long. And if trouble comes, there won¡¯t be many people to defend it besides me and¡ª"

    Before he could finish, Tang Xiulan interrupted, her voice calm but knowing. ¡°Yalan.¡±

    Chen Ren froze, his eyes widening. ¡°You know?¡±

    Xiulan nodded. ¡°I saw it during the tournament, when she tried to break the barrier. Others were panicking and running, but I wasn¡¯t willing to flee, so I noticed.¡± Her gaze softened as she looked down at Yalan, gently patting the cat¡¯s sleek fur.

    Yalan stiffened slightly at the unexpected gesture, her amber eyes narrowing, but instead of snapping, she allowed it. After a moment, she spoke, her tone carrying an air of haughty amusement. ¡°Well, my dignified self doesn¡¯t have to pretend to be an ordinary cat anymore.¡±

    Xiulan¡¯s eyes widened, her hand stopping mid-stroke. A gasp escaped her lips as she bore her eyes towards the cat. ¡°She... she can talk?¡±

    Chen Ren chuckled, the corner of his mouth lifting in a small grin. ¡°Well, there¡¯s that.¡± He leaned back, his posture relaxing slightly. ¡°Yalan is... sort of my mentor, or maybe master. Call it whatever you like. She¡¯s also agreed to act as a defender for the sect.¡±

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    Yalan let out a small, approving hum, her tail flicking lazily.

    ¡°But,¡± Chen Ren continued, his tone growing serious again, ¡°we can¡¯t rely on just two people to protect the sect. That¡¯s why recruitment is so important. We need people¡ªdedicated cultivators¡ªwho can help us grow and defend this place when the time comes.¡±

    Tang Xiulan sat silently, her brows furrowed in thought. After a moment, she spoke hesitantly, ¡°But, young master, why would cultivators join our sect? I don¡¯t mean to question you, but¡­ we¡¯ve built no real reputation outside of your businesses, and those are confined to one city. Most cultivators would prefer to remain rogue than join a new, untested sect. And the ones we do get would likely be¡ª¡±

    ¡°The throwaways,¡± Chen Ren interrupted. ¡°The ones no one wants. The so-called trash. And that¡¯s fine. I¡¯m not looking for cultivators with unique physiques or a large number of spirit roots. We can do a lot with those who have few spirit roots.¡±

    Xiulan blinked, her lips parting to ask, ¡°How?¡±

    ¡°Do you know how many roots I have?¡±

    She hesitated, clearly wracking her brain for an answer, before finally shaking her head. ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Twenty one,¡± Chen Ren said simply.

    Xiulan¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°Twenty one? But that¡¯s¡ª¡±

    ¡°Abysmal?¡± he finished with a faint smile. ¡°Yes, I know. And yet, despite that, I¡¯ve been growing faster than most would expect. If I can do it, why can¡¯t someone else?¡±

    Before Xiulan could respond, Yalan¡¯s voice cut in. ¡°Are you forgetting you¡¯re an , Chen Ren? Your case isn¡¯t something others can just replicate.¡±

    ¡°Maybe I am an exception. Maybe I¡¯m not. But one thing I¡¯ve learned about myself is that I¡¯m not as special as I sometimes think I am. And even if I am special, I know for a fact that I¡¯m not the only one. Do you really believe there¡¯s only one esoteric Dao in existence? There are countless paths, countless ways to grow.¡±

    Yalan¡¯s tail twitched, but she didn¡¯t interrupt as he continued.

    ¡°No one ever said cultivation has to be about fighting, popping pills like a drug addict, or meditating for centuries to progress. That¡¯s just what the Martial Dao has popularized. But cultivation isn¡¯t limited to that. We can think beyond it. We can create something different¡ªa place where growth doesn¡¯t come with the weight of expectations or the burden of conformity.¡±

    Tang Xiulan¡¯s shock slowly melted into contemplation, her gaze softening as she absorbed his words. ¡°A different kind of sect,¡± she murmured.

    Chen Ren nodded. ¡°Exactly. A sect where anyone willing to work hard and think differently can find a place to belong¡ªand grow.¡±

    Yalan let out a soft, amused snort. ¡°Well, that¡¯s certainly ambitious. But I suppose ambition is a good start.¡±

    Chen Ren smiled faintly. ¡°Ambition, a plan, and the right people. That¡¯s all we need.¡±

    Yalan tilted her head. ¡°Mmm, not a bad thought, but finding people like that will be difficult. There''s a reason they¡¯re called esoteric Daos¡ªrare and elusive.¡±

    ¡°We won¡¯t know until we start looking. Besides, I¡¯m not planning to rely solely on cultivators for protection.¡±

    Xiulan and Yalan both tilted their heads, curious.

    ¡°You two already know my plans to bring mortals into the sect,¡± he continued.

    They nodded, waiting for him to elaborate.

    ¡°We just need to give them tools to defend themselves,¡± he said, his tone matter-of-fact. ¡°Tools that can do real damage, at least against lower-realm cultivators.¡±

    Yalan frowned, her ears twitching. ¡°What kind of tools are you talking about?¡±

    Before Chen Ren could respond, Anji¡¯s voice rang out from the front of the carriage. ¡°We¡¯re nearing the village!¡±

    Chen Ren immediately leaned out the carriage window, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. The landscape opened up before him¡ªa vast expanse of wide plains framed by distant mountains. A dirt road stretched out ahead, winding toward their destination. In the far distance, he could just make out wooden walls. Though they were still far away, his enhanced eyesight allowed him to spot the faint outline.

    ¡°Do you want to rest, Anji?¡± he called out.

    She waved him off without looking back. ¡°I¡¯m fine! The village is close anyway. If nothing goes wrong, we¡¯ll get there in forty-five minutes.¡±

    No sooner had the words left her mouth than a deep, guttural growl echoed from the forest around them. The carriage shuddered to a halt, and the air grew tense.

    The children jolted awake, their wide eyes darting around in fear. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± one of them asked, his voice trembling.

    Xiulan leaned out of her seat. ¡°What was that?¡±

    Yalan said nonchalantly. She spoke through mind keeping the kids from finding her identity.

    ¡°Stay inside.¡±

    Chen Ren stepped out of the carriage, leaving them inside.

    Yalan leaped out gracefully, landing beside him. She stretched, her claws extending slightly.

    Chen Ren smirked.

    The forest remained eerily silent for a moment, the growl from earlier still echoing faintly in their minds. Then, a rustling sound came from the underbrush, followed by the unmistakable sound of low growls.

    Chen Ren tightened his grip on the weapon¡ªa sleek spear with runes etched along its length for more piercing damage and durability, the gift from the city lord.

    He glanced over his shoulder at Anji, who was frozen in place, her hands gripping the reins tightly. Her face was pale, but she wasn¡¯t panicking, just waiting for instructions.

    ¡°Get inside the carriage,¡± he said calmly, his tone firm but not harsh. ¡°I¡¯ll handle this.¡±

    Anji blinked, then nodded wordlessly, climbing into the carriage with a speed that belied her hesitation. The children huddled together, watching anxiously as the door shut behind her.

    Just as Chen Ren turned his focus back to the forest, another growl cut through the tense silence. It was louder, closer. His sharp eyes scanned the dense foliage, his muscles coiled like a spring.

    For a long moment, nothing happened. The forest seemed unnaturally still, the usual sounds of rustling leaves and chirping insects absent. Then, with a sudden burst of movement, a dark blur shot out from the trees.

    It was a wolf¡ªlarger than he¡¯d expected. Its fur was pitch black, almost blending into the shadows of the trees, and its teal eyes gleamed with predatory hunger. It leaped from the trees, aiming directly at Chen Ren with its jaws wide open, sharp teeth glinting menacingly. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ***

    Haoran looked at the stack of letters piled high on the ornate desk in their office. These were the reports sent to their department from all across the Kalian Empire, a routine correspondence from every corner of the realm. Sorting through them had become a habit since they had taken on the role of one of the attendants to Princess Yanyue.

    This practice wasn¡¯t new; it was a system established by the previous emperor near the end of his reign. Under this system, every ruler¡ªfrom the smallest village chief to the most powerful city lord¡ªwas required to submit a monthly report detailing the events within their jurisdiction. These reports covered everything from mundane administrative updates to notable discoveries, such as hidden artifacts or emerging talents.

    The purpose was clear: to ensure the royal family remained informed of anything unusual or promising, no matter how remote or minor it might seem. From these reports, key information would be carefully cataloged, creating a detailed repository of knowledge that allowed the royal family to keep tabs on potential threats, opportunities, and the shifting dynamics of power within the empire.

    Of course, the system wasn¡¯t perfect. Not everything made it into the letters. Talents were often concealed, kept hidden by their families or patrons to protect them from royal scrutiny¡ªor exploitation. Ancient ruins weren''t informed about, not letting the royal family get their hands on it. And then there were the lords who deliberately withheld vital information, preferring to keep their findings to themselves rather than share them with a royal family that had, over time, become little more than observers.

    Still, the letters were a window into the empire¡¯s pulse, and Haoran knew better than to overlook them. Even the smallest detail could hold the key to something extraordinary¡ªor disastrous. With a quiet sigh, they picked up the first letter, the seal still unbroken, and began to read.

    It was already well into the day when the attendant found himself still sorting through the mountain of letters. Some reports were dry, simply confirming the usual¡ªeverything normal, no disturbances to report. Others, however, contained more intriguing tidbits. One lord in the northern region, Zhang Ma, mentioned a mountain that had been destroyed¡ªpossibly a result of a clash between high-realm cultivators or a battle with a powerful beast. The lord had little proof, but the attendant found it noteworthy. Another report detailed the discovery of a new ghost ruin on the western side of the empire, while others spoke of skirmishes between the barbarians and the border lords.

    As the attendant moved through the letters, one report from the City Lord of Cloud Mist, Li Baolong caught his eye. For a while, the letter seemed uneventful, just like the others¡ªnothing but routine updates. He half-expected it to be the same as always, filled with trivial matters.

    But as he reached the middle section, the attendant''s eyes widened more with every passing line. It started innocuously enough¡ªjust a mention of a demonic cultivator on the loose, then the annual tournament. But then, the mention of an unexpected turn of events in the tournament caught his attention. A cultivator, once insignificant and unknown, had killed the demonic figure¡ªGu Tian. The report said the cultivator was blessed by the golden dragon itself and had even earned the nickname of ¡°Dragonheart.¡±

    The attendant blinked, unsure if he had misread it. He read the passage again, his heart thudding in his chest. Then he read it one more time, just to make sure he wasn¡¯t imagining things. There were no disclaimers, no signs of humor. It wasn¡¯t a joke. It was written in an official report, which made it even more impossible to dismiss.

    Lying in an official letter was considered a serious crime, one no lord would risk, especially not for something as absurd as this. No, this had to be true. He could feel a chill running down his spine as it settled in. A dragon¡ª dragon¡ªhad appeared in the empire after thousands of years.

    The attendant didn¡¯t hesitate. Normally, he would have set the letter aside, continued his work, and moved on to the next report. But this... this was far beyond his usual duties. The implications of this discovery were monumental, and there was only one person he needed to inform.

    Without wasting a second, the attendant gathered the letter in his hands, his heart still racing, and left his chambers.

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

 Chapter 59: Little yuze

    Zi Han shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his fingers drumming nervously against his thigh. His excitement was barely contained as he stared at the stopped carriage just beyond the tree line. The low growl of Little Yuze¡ªrumbled at his side, a sound that sent a chill through the group of ragged villagers gathered nearby.

    Zi Han couldn¡¯t help but glance down at the creature. Little Yuze was majestic, a wolf unlike any he¡¯d ever seen¡ªand he was certain, the wolf was unlike any that anyone had ever seen. No wolf can be tamed after all.

    His pitch-black fur was shiny enough to make his fur appear as grey at times, but Zi Han knew the wolf was plain black except for the silver streak that ran boldly from his forehead to his tail. He had teal eyes. He¡¯d never seen a wolf with such eyes, and his presence alone seemed to fill the group with confidence, even as hunger gnawed at their bellies.

    It had been nearly a week since a carriage had passed through this desolate road, and the past days had been harsh. The village¡¯s meager food stores were thinning fast, and aside from the few beasts Little Yuze had managed to bring down with the help of the village hunters, they hadn¡¯t had a proper meal in days. Zi Han¡¯s stomach twisted in both hunger and anticipation as he studied the carriage.

    Fate, it seemed, had finally smiled upon them.

    Zi Han turned to glance at the villagers, their gaunt faces and sunken eyes a grim reminder of their plight. They weren¡¯t bandits, not in their hearts. They were farmers and laborers, forced into this life by the harsh will of the heavens. When Zi Wen, Zi Han¡¯s elder brother, had stumbled upon Little Yuze as a pup¡ªrescued him from a hunter¡¯s cruel trap¡ªit had felt like a blessing from the Agricultural God himself.

    Now, Little Yuze was their greatest strength.

    The past year had taught them well. Carriages like this one¡ªsturdy, covered, and plain¡ªwere likely owned by small-time merchants traveling to or from the nearest market town. Zi Han knew the plan by heart: Little Yuze would scare the merchant and any guards into fleeing, while the villagers would step in to claim whatever food, coin, or supplies they could. There would be no bloodshed, no senseless killing. They weren¡¯t murderers¡ªjust desperate souls trying to survive the harsh cards the heavens had dealt them.

    ¡°Zi Han,¡± came the quiet voice of his brother Zi Wen. The older man stepped forward, his beard with white streaks tied in a knot right below his chin. ¡°Stay calm. If they run, we take what we need and leave. If they fight¡­ we¡¯ll handle it.¡±

    Zi Han nodded, clenching his fists to steady himself. He glanced once more at Little Yuze, whose nose twitched as if sensing something. The wolf¡¯s tail flicked, his teal eyes narrowing toward the carriage.

    Beside him, Zi Wen¡¯s voice came in a whisper. ¡°Someone¡¯s coming out.¡±

    Zi Han¡¯s grip on his knife tightened instinctively. He held his breath, the tension crackling in the air. But when the figure stepped out of the carriage, the breath he was holding released in a soft sigh of relief.

    The man didn¡¯t look like much of a fighter. He wasn¡¯t fat¡ªhis build was lean and his height imposing¡ªbut there was a softness about him that told Zi Han everything he needed to know. The man carried himself with the casual ease of someone who¡¯d never had to struggle for survival. His clothes were clean and finely tailored, his expression one of quiet detachment. He looked like the pampered son of some merchant clan, a man accustomed to wealth and comfort, not hardship.

    Zi Han¡¯s eyes darted to the carriage, expecting a guard or two to emerge. Surely no merchant would travel alone, not on these roads. But no one came other than a cat. Even the girl who had been driving the carriage remained seated inside.

    A bad feeling wormed its way into Zi Han¡¯s gut, prickling at his nerves. Something felt wrong. But he forced himself to stay calm. It would be fine. It always was.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think anyone else is coming out,¡± he muttered to his brother.

    Zi Wen, the broad-shouldered man, frowned. His black hair, tied loosely at the nape of his neck, swayed as he shook his head. ¡°What do we do then? The man doesn¡¯t even look afraid.¡±

    Zi Han glanced at the supposed merchant again. The man stood relaxed, his eyes lazily scanning the woods, as if he had all the time in the world. There wasn¡¯t even a flicker of fear on his face.

    ¡°Then we give him a reason to get scared,¡± Zi Han said. He gestured toward the wolf. ¡°Little Yuze can handle it. Scare him off, then we¡¯ll loot the carriage like always.¡±

    Zi Wen grunted in agreement and turned to pat the wolf¡¯s sleek black fur. Little Yuze stretched lazily before rising to his feet, his teal pair locking onto the man standing before the carriage.

    ¡°Little Yuze, you know what to do,¡± Zi Wen murmured.

    The wolf¡¯s ears twitched, and for a moment, it almost looked like he nodded. Then, with a powerful leap, Little Yuze sprang into action, his dark form cutting through the air as he launched himself toward the man.

    Zi Han watched with wide eyes, his heart pounding with excitement. Any moment now, the merchant would panic, stumble back in fear, and flee.

    But instead, the man remained perfectly still, his expression unreadable.

    As Little Yuze¡¯s claws slashed dangerously close, the man sidestepped with a fluid grace, his movements almost too quick to follow.

    ¡°What¡ª¡± Zi Han¡¯s words caught in his throat.

    Little Yuze snarled, spinning mid-air to strike again. His claws lashed out, but once more, the man evaded with a speed that defied reason.

    Before Zi Han could process what was happening, a flicker of light erupted from the man¡¯s palm¡ªlightning, crackling and alive. The man charged forward, his movements as precise as they were deadly, and struck Little Yuze square in the chest with an open palm.

    The impact sent the wolf sprawling to the ground with a pained yelp.

    ¡°No!¡± Zi Wen¡¯s cry was muffled as Zi Han clapped a hand over his brother¡¯s mouth, dragging him down behind the brush.

    ¡°Be quiet,¡± Zi Han hissed. Though his own mind went into a shock and his heart raced as he watched the man straighten, lightning still danced faintly around his fingertips.

    ¡°That¡¯s a cultivator,¡± he said, the words trembling on his tongue. His face turned pale as he glanced at his brother. ¡°Straight out of one of those sects. We¡ª¡± He swallowed hard. ¡°We just attacked a cultivator.¡±

    Zi Wen¡¯s eyes widened in horror.

    ¡°We¡¯re dead,¡± Zi Han whispered, his voice barely audible. ¡°We¡¯re all dead.¡±

    Zi Han''s heart pounded in his chest as despair tightened its grip around him. His mind raced with the countless stories he had heard of cultivators¡ªbeings who walked the path of immortality, wielding powers that could crush mortals like insects. Tales of their indifference and cruelty filled his thoughts. He recalled a traveling nomad recounting how a cultivator had crippled a man for the simple mistake of stumbling in his path. Now, they had attacked one.

    They had one.

    ¡°What are we going to do?¡± a trembling voice whispered behind him.

    Zi Han turned, his face pale. ¡°I... I don¡¯t know.¡± He heard the crack of his voice.

    Another villager pointed toward the injured wolf. ¡°Little Yuze... he¡¯ll kill the wolf.¡±

    Zi Wen¡¯s jaw tightened as his eyes fixated on his wolf, lying prone on the ground. His voice was hoarse when he spoke. ¡°No. I can¡¯t let that happen. If someone has to die, it¡¯ll be me.¡± He stood up from where he was and prepared to leave to face the wrath of the cultivator.

    Zi Han grabbed his brother¡¯s arm, his grip firm despite the tremor in his hands. ¡°Don¡¯t be an idiot! Your life is far more precious than mine or Little Yuze.¡± He glanced back toward the road, where the wolf was struggling to rise, its legs trembling. Little Yuze¡¯s eyes burned with hatred as he glared at the cultivator, but his body betrayed him. Whatever that lightning technique was, it had left him shaken, his strength drained.

    Zi Han swallowed hard. Even if he hated to admit it, he knew the wolf wouldn¡¯t survive. But they had to. They had fought too hard for survival over the past year, enduring hunger, disease, and the slow decay of their village. None of it would matter if they all died because of this.

    A grim thought struck him, sinking its claws into his heart. If they offended the cultivator further, their entire village could be wiped out. His parents¡ªfrail and weary¡ªwouldn¡¯t survive the news of their deaths. Worse, the cultivator might not stop with them. The village was remote, far from the eyes of law and governance. Even if justice existed, no one would come to check on a tragedy in a forgotten corner of the world. And by the time anyone did, the cultivator would be long gone.

    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    Zi Han was about to order everyone to run when a cold, commanding voice shattered the silence.

    ¡°I know you¡¯re there,¡± the cultivator said. ¡°Come out, or I will kill the wolf. Then I¡¯ll chase you. You know I can do that easily.¡±

    Zi Han froze. His breath caught in his throat as he turned to the villagers, their faces stricken with terror. The older men and women looked at him with pleading eyes, while the younger ones clung to each other, trembling.

    Only Zi Wen remained calm, his eyes free from fear. Concern etched deep into his features, but it wasn¡¯t for himself or the others. He knew that it was for Little Yuze.

    Zi Wen looked at him. ¡°What should we do now?¡± He asked the same question that had been raking in his mind the entire time.

    Zi Han felt his throat tighten. His brother had always been the stronger of the two, in both body and will. But now, that strength was no use. Not against someone with powers straight from the heavens.

    ¡°You all can run,¡± Zi Wen said suddenly. ¡°I¡¯ll go out. He knows there are people, but I don¡¯t think he knows how many. If I go alone, maybe...¡±

    Zi Han¡¯s eyes widened in panic as he grabbed his brother¡¯s arm. ¡°No! I can¡¯t leave you here!¡±

    Zi Wen¡¯s eyes softened as he glanced back at Little Yuze, the injured wolf lying in the dirt. ¡°And I can¡¯t leave him. If I run now, I¡¯d be going against our bond. That¡¯s not who I am. Just go, Zi Han. Save yourself. Stop being so stupid when the times want you to be brave. Do what you must, run!¡±

    Zi Han¡¯s grip tightened, his hands trembling with both fear and frustration. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving you! If anyone should go, it¡¯s the others.¡± He turned toward the small group of villagers hiding behind the trees. ¡°You all go! Get back to the village!¡±

    But the villagers hesitated, their faces pale as they exchanged nervous glances. No one moved.

    ¡°We¡¯re not leaving you two behind,¡± one of the older men said, his voice trembling but resolute.

    Zi Han¡¯s heart twisted in frustration. This wasn¡¯t how it was supposed to go. They needed to escape, to survive. But as he opened his mouth to argue, a ripple of unease washed over him. The faint sound of movement caught his ear¡ªtoo fast, too quiet to belong to any of the villagers.

    He turned his head sharply, and his breath caught in his throat.

    The cultivator was standing right in front of him.

    Zi Han¡¯s legs gave out beneath him, and he dropped to his knees, overwhelmed by the sheer presence of the man. The air around him pressed down, as if it were charged with invisible energy, and his calm, calculating gaze bore into them all like a hawk surveying its prey.

    ¡°You all were taking too much time,¡± the cultivator said. ¡°So I decided to come find you myself.¡±

    Zi Han¡¯s mouth went dry as the man¡¯s eyes swept over them. His casual stance didn¡¯t hide the sharpness of his presence, like a blade hidden in plain sight.

    The cultivator¡¯s gaze fell on Little Yuze, then shifted back to the group. He tilted his head, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. ¡°Now, why don¡¯t you tell me what¡¯s going on here? And when did bandits start taming wolves?¡±

    ***

    Chen Ren stood in the middle of the road, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight before him. The group of ragged men knelt in front of him, heads bowed low. Even the wolf¡ªan impressive beast with matted fur and a low growl¡ªhad lowered itself to the ground, its sharp eyes cautiously trained on him. It no longer glared with the anger he had seen before, but Chen Ren could tell it was still on edge, especially with his attack.

    Behind him, Xiulan and the others stood in tense silence, watching the strange scene unfold. And for a few seconds, nothing happened. They all patiently waited.

    It was Tang Xiulan who finally broke the stillness.

    ¡°What are we going to do with them?¡± she asked, her voice uncertain but curious.

    Chen Ren glanced back at her, then turned his attention to the group. ¡°Well, that depends,¡± he said evenly, his voice carrying enough authority to make the kneeling men flinch. ¡°As you can see, they¡¯re not the usual kind of bandits. At least, I haven¡¯t heard of bandits taming wolves before. Or is that something common around here?¡± He directed his question at the group.

    One of the men¡ªa wiry figure with dirt-streaked clothes and desperation etched across his face¡ªraised his head slightly. ¡°No, Lord Cultivator,¡± he said quickly, his voice trembling. ¡°Little Yuze was tamed by my brother when he was just a pup. It listens to him because of their bond.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes narrowed, his gaze shifting to the wolf, then back to the man. ¡°And you¡¯re using it to loot and kill merchants and travelers?¡±

    The man shook his head vehemently. ¡°No, Lord Cultivator! We haven¡¯t killed anyone! We just¡­ we just use Little Yuze to scare people off so we can take their belongings. We swear, we¡¯ve never taken a life, nor do we intend to.¡±

    Chen Ren let out a low hum. ¡°So you¡¯re thieves, not murderers,¡± he said. ¡°That at least makes things easier.¡±

    The man¡¯s face paled, and he stammered, ¡°Lord Cultivator, please! Don¡¯t kill us! If someone must pay for this, let it be me. This was my idea!¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips twitched upward in a faint, humorless smile. ¡°You can call me Young Master. I have a name and it''s Chen Ren, and I¡¯m not going to kill anyone. But I will hand you over to the village guards. I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll have plenty to say about this. What village are you from?¡±

    The men exchanged uneasy glances before the leader mumbled, ¡°We¡¯re from Meadow Village, Young Master.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s brow lifted slightly. ¡°Meadow? Well, that makes things convenient. I¡¯m headed there myself. I¡¯ll turn you over to the guards and let them deal with you. That should serve as an appropriate punishment.¡±

    The men tensed. The one who spoke had his eyes widened at what Chen Ren said but he replied with nothing. He looked down on the ground as if contemplating something before finally opening his eyes.

    ¡°Young Master, that won¡¯t work.¡±

    Tang Xiulan, who¡¯d already walked and stood behind Chen Ren, frowned. ¡°Why not?¡±

    The man looked at her, shame flickering in his eyes. ¡°Because, Young Miss¡­ I¡¯m the one who leads the village guards.¡±

    Chen Ren blinked, surprised, as Xiulan¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re the guard captain?¡± she asked incredulously.

    The man nodded, his face flushed with humiliation.

    Chen Ren folded his arms, his expression turning cold. ¡°If you¡¯re the guard captain, why are you resorting to banditry? Explain yourself.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a long story, Young Master,¡± the man said, lowering his gaze. ¡°None of us here are actual bandits. I¡¯m the captain of the guard, my brother is a hunter, and the others are just farmers. But after our crops were destroyed last year, we had no choice but to turn to this¡­ this disgraceful path. It¡¯s been like this for a year now. All our stored rations ran out long ago.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°Don¡¯t lie. The harvest this year wasn¡¯t bad. I heard it myself from traders in the city.¡±

    The man¡¯s shoulders slumped, and he shook his head. ¡°It wasn¡¯t the weather or anything like that, Young Master,¡± he said quietly. ¡°It was¡­ the locust swarm. They came last season, and they didn¡¯t leave us a single stalk standing.¡±

    Chen Ren frowned, his expression darkening. A locust swarm, so close to a village on the edge of civilization? He glanced back at Xiulan, whose face was set in a mixture of shock, confusion and pity.

    ¡°Well,¡± he said slowly, turning his gaze back to the kneeling men. ¡°That does complicate things. But, locusts?¡± he asked. ¡°Can¡¯t you kill them?¡±

    The man wiped a hand over his face, his expression a mix of frustration and despair. ¡°We tried, Young Master,¡± he said, shaking his head. ¡°But our usual methods don¡¯t work against them. They aren¡¯t normal locusts¡ªthey¡¯re magical, like wild beasts. They¡¯re too many, and they¡¯re too strong. They tear through everything. Everyone abandoned the farms because of them.¡±

    ¡°And you sent word to the nearby lords?¡±

    ¡°We did,¡± the man said bitterly. ¡°But no one came. They told us they¡¯d send a cultivator from a sect to handle it, but¡­ no one ever showed. It¡¯s been months.¡± His voice broke, and tears spilled down his cheeks. ¡°We didn¡¯t know what else to do. We couldn¡¯t let everyone starve.¡±

    Chen Ren fell silent, his thoughts swirling. If what the man said was true, it wasn¡¯t hard to guess what might have happened. A city lord could have intercepted the request, redirecting it to a sect as protocol dictated. But a mission to handle magical locusts? It wasn¡¯t the kind of task that would appeal to a sect disciple. No glory, no treasures¡ªjust hard labor and frustration.

    As he mulled over the situation, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.

    Yalan said. ¡°

    Chen Ren clicked his tongue.he then addressed the group. ¡°Lead us to your village. Especially your farms. I want to see these locusts for myself.¡±

    ***

    The journey to the village was tense, the air heavy with unspoken fears. Chen Ren walked in silence, choosing to keep his thoughts to himself. He didn¡¯t press the men for more answers, knowing that words wouldn¡¯t matter until he saw the situation with his own eyes. Beside him, the group trudged along, their heads bowed like condemned prisoners on their way to the gallows.

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze drifted to the wolf padding beside its master.

    Despite its imposing size and wild appearance, the creature behaved like a trained hound. It stayed close to the hunter named Zi Wen, moving in sync with him. Not once did it growl or bare its teeth at the strangers surrounding it. Instead, it followed its master with a quiet loyalty, its sharp eyes constantly scanning its surroundings.

    The sight was strange yet fascinating.

    When the group finally reached the village, the heavy silence shattered. People began to gather, their voices rising with concern and anger. Villagers spilled into the narrow streets, their faces etched with worry as they called out to the men.

    ¡°Where have you been?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    ¡°Did you bring food?¡±

    The questions came in a flurry, overlapping in a chaotic chorus. Chen Ren stepped forward, raising a hand to calm the crowd. His voice was loud and he demanded attention. ¡°There will be time for explanations later,¡± he said. ¡°Right now, I need to see your farms.¡±

    The villagers hesitated, their questions hanging in the air, but they eventually stepped aside to let him pass.

    No one dared to ask questions considering that it was a new face, and their familiar faces showed defeat.

    Chen Ren led the way, while scanning his surroundings. The village was small and worn, its buildings leaning with age. Everywhere he looked, he saw signs of struggle. The people were thin, their faces pale and gaunt. Children clung to their mothers, their wide eyes filled with fear and hunger. The hollow cheeks, darkened eyes, dry lips, shaky hands¡ªthey were all common in everyone around.

    As he walked through the village, Chen Ren¡¯s thoughts churned. Whatever these men might have done, it was clear they were part of this place. The way the villagers reacted to them¡ªwith familiarity and desperate hope¡ªproved that much.

    After a short walk, they reached the edge of the farmlands. Chen Ren came to an abrupt halt, his breath catching as his eyes widened.

    What lay before him was devastation.  S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    The fields, which should have been full of life, were barren and lifeless. The ground was stripped bare, as though something had scoured it clean. The few plants that remained were skeletal, their leaves riddled with holes and their stems broken. And in the middle of it all, hundreds of locusts hovered.

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

 Chapter 60: Force of good

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes drifted over the vast farmlands that were stretched out before him. He had guessed the situation was bad, but he hadn''t expected to see a sea of buzzing locusts.

    Or, perhaps, he couldn''t quite call them that. Though they resembled the crop-eating grasshoppers that plagued farmlands everywhere. They were easily twice¡ªsome even thrice¡ªthe size of their smaller cousins, their bodies thick with muscle, their wings flicking in erratic movements. Their legs were tipped with sharp claws, and their mandibles gleamed wickedly as they chomped at the crops.

    Chen Ren squinted, trying to make sense of the scene. These weren¡¯t just any locusts. These were beasts. What grade, he couldn''t say. But his senses tingled with the unmistakable pressure of power, and he could tell¡ªat the very least, they were solidly in the middle of the body forging realm. He had no doubt they were far more troublesome than the bandit-turned-guard had described.

    He narrowed his eyes on the locusts for a while, taking in the massive swarms that covered the crops, flitting about in a chaotic dance of hunger and aggression. One thing that unsettled him was the sheer size of the creatures, and another thing was the way they moved¡ªlike soldiers, perfectly coordinated and terrifyingly efficient.

    Turning away, he caught sight of the guard bandit again, who was now whispering to an older, burly man. The man stood nearly half a foot taller than the guard, his thick arms bulging under his clothing. As soon as they saw Chen Ren¡¯s eyes on them, both men straightened. The older man moved to bow deeply in respect, but Chen Ren waved his hand to stop him.

    "There¡¯s no need for that," he said. "I have some questions."

    The old man straightened again, his eyes meeting his. "Of course, my lord," he replied. "I''m the village chief here, Muyang. What is it you wish to know?"

    Chen Ren''s gaze flicked back to the locusts, narrowing his eyes. "When did those locusts first appear?"

    The old man paused, clearly troubled by the memory. He raked his hand through his greyed hair, frustration clearly evident in his eyes. He hesitated before answering, as though it still haunted him. "They came out of nowhere, my lord. About a year ago. At first, we thought it was just a strange season, a few stragglers¡ªnothing to worry about. But then, one day just before the harvest... they came in a swarm. A swarm like no other. They covered the entire farm, like a black tide that swallowed everything. We couldn''t fight them off, no matter what we did. We couldn¡¯t even drive them away."

    Chen Ren''s eyes narrowed further as he studied the man, who then lifted his hand, showing a deep scar along his palm. The scar was spiky, the skin still raw. "I got this from them. They don¡¯t attack us here, but if we get too close to the crops... they turn on us. All at once."

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyebrows raised at that.

    ¡°They seem more like beasts than ordinary locusts," he said. "I doubt any of you would be able to do anything about them."

    Chief Muyang sighed deeply, a weary, regretful look crossing his face. "That¡¯s why we sent for a cultivator from the sects," he explained. His eyes flickered to the guard bandit, then back to Chen Ren, before a pause hung between them. "I heard from Zi Han that you are a cultivator. Are you the one sent by the sect?"

    Chen Ren shook his head. "No, I wasn¡¯t sent by a sect. I won a plot of land here in a tournament held in Cloud Mist City, and the deed to a good area was awarded to me." He glanced at Tang Xiulan, who rummaged through her bag before she passed the deed over to him. He took it and handed it to the old man.

    He read through it carefully, his eyes scanning each line. As he reached the end, a spark of recognition lit up in his face. "Yes, this is right. You are indeed the landholder here," he said, looking back up at Chen Ren. "Are you going to live here from now on, my lord?"

    "I might not be here all the time," Chen Ren replied, "but I do plan to set up a place for myself and my people here. It will be more than just a few buildings for various purposes."

    Chief Muyang nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. Then as the chief of this village, I welcome you to Meadow. If you need anything, my lord, you may come to me. It would be an honor to serve a cultivator such as yourself."

    Chen Ren inclined his head in acknowledgment. "Thank you, Chief Muyang. I would like you to show me my place first, but on the way, I¡¯d like to discuss something with you."

    The village chief looked at him in surprise. "What is it, my lord?"

    "Just about the bandit activities some members of your village are involved in, and how much you know about it. Based on how you interact with Zi Han, it seems you know more than you let on. I don''t know if they told you, but I met them when they attacked my carriage, with little Yuze, the wolf."

    At the mention of the wolf, the village chief''s face fell, his expression darkening. He glared at the bandit guard standing beside him, fury and guilt flashing in his eyes.

    Without warning, the village chief dropped to his knees, his forehead touching the ground in a deep bow. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    "Please forgive us, my lord," he said.

    ***

    Chief Muyang remained on the ground for a long while, his forehead pressed firmly to the earth. It was only after Chen Ren promised that he wasn''t going to kill or cripple anyone that the man relaxed slightly and the weight seemed to be lifted from his shoulders.

    The apologies didn¡¯t stop, however. As they moved through the village on their way to Chen Ren¡¯s plot of land, Chief Muyang continued to mutter his regrets.

    Chen Ren listened, but his mind was elsewhere. Truthfully, he had thought of punishing the bandits, villagers or not, because what they were doing was wrong. But as he walked through the village and saw the malnourished faces around him¡ªpeople whose eyes lacked the spark of vitality, children who looked more like shadows than young ones¡ªhe reconsidered. His heart softened, if only a little.

    A part of him knew what desperation could drive people to do, especially when their lives were so harsh. And while what they were doing was a crime, they hadn¡¯t taken any lives. A punishment, especially for the villagers, would only sour his relationship with them, and that would undermine¡ªruin the larger plans he had¡ªplans that required the cooperation of many in this village.

    Chief Muyang¡¯s continuous words of apology faded into the background as Chen Ren¡¯s mind focused on his own thoughts. He needed this place to work, to run smoothly, and antagonizing them now would set things back.

    When they reached the plot of land, the village chief all but rushed to leave, eager to put distance between himself and the tension of the situation. "If you need anything, my lord, please don¡¯t hesitate to come to me," he said, before practically running off, as though fleeing from some unseen danger.

    The people around them seemed to scatter as well, either out of fear or simply because Chen Ren was there.

    He noticed the wary glances thrown his way when they were walking away¡ªeyes that lingered just a little too long, then quickly looked away. The village hadn''t seen many cultivators, and to them, he must have seemed like a rare, dangerous creature¡ªa panda in a sea of mundane life.

    But, he didn¡¯t care. He had a task to focus on. The reason he had come here was to inspect his property, and that was exactly what he would do.

    He walked toward the plot, the old homes slowly coming into view. It was a far cry from the wide courtyards and rooms of Tang Manor, that much was certain. But it wasn¡¯t bad.

    There were three houses in total, all two stories tall, their backsides open for whatever they wanted to do with them.

    Chen Ren could see the potential immediately. The land didn¡¯t end there, either. It stretched far beyond, towards the mountains and fields in the distance. If he wanted to, he could build further, creating something that might even resemble a sect''s compound, with towering buildings and expansive courtyards.

    But for now, he had to deal with an enemy he never liked¡ªdust. It was everywhere on the houses, thick and persistent.

    He looked at the nearest houses and decided to step inside. And just as he did, Yalan entered with the children, her little nose scrunching as she coughed from the dust. She shot him a look, her eyes wide with distaste.

    "" she declared dramatically.

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    Chen Ren raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling to her, before offering a small smile.

    Yalan immediately shot a glare at him. she corrected him firmly, her voice dripping with mock dignity.

    Chen Ren chuckled at Yalan''s antics, enjoying the banter, but his thoughts were quickly interrupted as Xiulan entered, looking determined. "Young master, I can clean it up with the kids and Anji," she offered, looking at the place with a neutral gaze. If she was repulsed, she didn¡¯t show.

    The kids, however, didn¡¯t seem thrilled by the idea. All of their faces soured as they looked around the house. It was clear they weren¡¯t eager to do any labor, and Chen Ren caught their eye.

    "One house is okay," he said. "But there are three houses here, and you¡¯ll need to set up a production place for our next products. It¡¯ll be too much work for you all."

    Tang Xiulan cleared her throat. "Then what are we going to do?"

    Chen Ren leaned against the dusty wall, eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. "I¡¯ll get men from the village chief. Those bandits¡­ villagers," he said, pausing for a beat as he corrected himself, "They probably have some free time now that we intercepted their attack. I¡¯ll put them to work here."

    Xiulan seemed a bit skeptical. "Will they agree to it?"

    Chen Ren smirked, confident. "I¡¯d be surprised if they don¡¯t. They¡¯ll see it as a way to earn my forgiveness. And while they¡¯re working, I can inspect the locusts."

    The kids, meanwhile, had wandered off, inspecting the building curiously. Anji was leading the charge, poking her head around corners, while Yalan and the others explored further. Their energy seemed to pick up as they moved through the space, even if they weren¡¯t thrilled about the idea of labor.

    After a moment, Yalan seemed to walk back into the conversation, her tone suddenly loud and eager. "Do you want to solve the problem?" she asked, looking up at Chen Ren with bright eyes.

    "Yes, it¡¯s an easy way," he replied, not missing a beat.

    Yalan tilted her head, still curious. "To do what?"

    "Earn their allegiance," Chen Ren said simply.

    Yalan snorted in disbelief. "Ain¡¯t you being a cultivator enough? These people treat you like a god. Isn¡¯t that enough?"

    Chen Ren¡¯s smirk turned into a more thoughtful expression, his gaze flicking back to the village in the distance. "A god they¡¯re scared of," he replied quietly.

    He knew full well the villagers viewed him as something more than just a man¡ªsomeone with immense power and potential¡ªbut fear was the last thing he wanted to cultivate. He would rather have their respect, their loyalty, not just a shaky reverence that could collapse at the first sign of trouble.

    Chen Ren took a deep breath, eyes scanning the land before him. He had always prided himself on using his strength wisely, and he knew that fear would only take him so far.

    He had bigger plans¡ªplans that required trust and loyalty, not submission through intimidation. He turned to Yalan. "Even if I wanted to take the easy route and just order them around, I can''t build something lasting on fear. It will break one day. I need them to see me as a force of good, not just a powerful cultivator who demands their service."

    Yalan¡¯s ears twitched as she processed his words and her paws stretched. She wasn¡¯t one to easily give up a chance for a good verbal fight, but she understood the larger picture.

    After a beat, she spoke up. "Then do you want me to burn the locusts down? I¡¯m pretty sure I can do it."

    "No. That would burn away the ground too and they might run away before we can kill all of them. We¡¯ll have to find another way. But for now," he glanced around at the group, "I need something to take my mind off things before we start making our next product and begin recruiting."

    "Recruitment for the sect?" Xiulan asked.

    Chen Ren nodded. "Yeah, we need more men before our next product is ready. I¡¯d like you to stay here¡ªthis place needs organization and care, and the kids aren¡¯t old enough to travel. As for Yalan..." He glanced at the feline, who was lounging nearby, seemingly indifferent, "Well, she¡¯s... a cat to others." Yalan let out a huff at the comment, but didn¡¯t argue.

    Chen Ren turned back to Xiulan, his tone softening. "That leaves me and Anji. I still need to learn more about her, and we need more people¡ªpeople who can work for us and help spread our products across the empire.¡±

    With the conversation winding down, Chen Ren shifted his gaze toward the mountains in the distance, stretching his arms to loosen up. His mind was already working ahead. The locusts were just one problem, and he would deal with them soon enough.

    "Either way," he muttered to himself, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "It¡¯s time to get some exercise against these beastly locusts."

    ***

    As Chen Ren had anticipated, Chief Muyang quickly agreed to send men to help clean up the property, his eagerness revealing how desperate they were for any assistance they can give him.

    After giving the orders, Chen Ren moved toward the farmlands, ready to confront the locusts. Yalan, however, didn¡¯t come with him." she had said nonchalantly,

    Chen Ren suspected it was just her way of marking her territory, but instead of her, he brought along Anji, someone he¡¯d been meaning to spend more time with. The two of them stood at the edge of the farm, looking out at the vast stretch of crops, the buzzing swarm of locusts clinging to every stalk.

    "So, what are you going to do, young master?" Anji asked, her eyes scanning the scene. "They look scary."

    Chen Ren nodded. "Yeah, they do. But before I make any real plans, I need to see if the straightforward approach works."

    Anji raised an eyebrow. "And what is that?"

    At that, his lips curled into a confident grin, his body surging with renewed energy. ¡°Taking these pests head-on.¡± Without waiting for a response, Chen Ren launched himself into the heart of the farmlands, his bold presence drawing the attention of the nearest locusts.

    The way they turned to him almost scared him.

    Several of the oversized insects swiveled toward him, their serrated mandibles clicking in irritation. They hesitated only for a moment before charging, their small and pathetic bodies rushing forward like a living tide.

    With a sharp exhale, he unleashed a torrent of lightning, rippling from his hands and scorching the air around him. The closest locusts didn¡¯t stand a chance, their bodies instantly seared to ash, falling lifeless to the ground.

    But the swarm was undeterred. More locusts surged forward, their snapping jaws gleaming like jagged knives. Chen Ren dodged and moved away, trying to maintain distance, all the while his fists lashed out, sending strikes, shattering exoskeletons and leaving broken skeletons. Yet, for every insect he felled, two more seemed to take its place.

    Anji stood at a safe distance, her breath caught in her throat as she watched Chen Ren fight. His attacks were relentless and his leg movements were exceptional. Yet the swarm showed no signs of thinning.

    Chen Ren knew fire would likely be more effective, but his lightning was enough to keep the locusts at bay¡ªfor now. Still, he could feel the tide turning against him, the swarm¡¯s endless advance threatening to overwhelm his defenses.

    Suddenly, like he had expected, a particularly large cluster of locusts, at least two dozen strong, rushed toward him in unison. Their jaws snapped hungrily, their advance a single, coordinated wave of aggression.

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes narrowed. It was time to retreat. He couldn¡¯t possibly take it all at once.

    With a powerful leap, he vaulted clear of the swarm, landing uphill in a blur of motion.

    ¡°Young master! What are you doing?!¡± Anji called out, her voice a mix of alarm and confusion as he bounded toward her.

    The locusts halted at the base of the hill, their advance stopping abruptly as if an invisible boundary held them back. Chen Ren glanced over his shoulder, his grin returning despite the tension. ¡°They can¡¯t follow us here. Let¡¯s use this to our advantage.¡±

    Chen Ren remembered what the village chief had said:

    Reaching the top of the hill without a scratch, Chen Ren glanced back at Anji, who was still watching him with a look of disbelief. "That was reckless," she said. "What if they were poisonous?"

    Chen Ren shrugged. "Doesn¡¯t matter. I bought potions for just in case, and nothing we know about them indicates they¡¯re poisonous." He paused for a moment, his gaze drifting back toward the farmlands, where the locusts were still swarming, undisturbed by his retreat. "Either way, I learned quite a bit from my fight with them."

    Anji watched as Chen Ren stood there, looking deep in thought. "What did you learn?" she asked.

    "Like I thought, they¡¯re in the mid-body forging realm. They''re fast, but if you focus, you can dodge their attacks. I can also kill them with my lightning, but there¡¯s just too many of them. I won¡¯t be able to handle them on my own."

    Anji nodded, processing the information. "So, what do we do about them?"

    "Even if I come up with a way to kill them all, there might be more around the forest. They could just return, and then we¡¯re back to square one. We need a permanent solution to drive them out."

    Anji¡¯s eyes narrowed in thought. "Like what?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

    Instead of answering immediately, Chen Ren turned to her with a raised eyebrow. "You have no idea? Haven¡¯t been raised on a farm, I guess?"

    Anji hesitated, the question catching her off guard. She paused, as if reflecting on her past before answering. "No, I didn¡¯t grow up anywhere near a farm. I know the basics of farming, but nothing more than that."

    Chen Ren gave a small nod, acknowledging her response. "Then I¡¯ll need to think of something myself." He turned his attention back to the locusts, his mind spinning as he tried to think of a solution.

    The locusts continued to swarm the farmlands below, but their presence didn¡¯t seem as daunting now. As Chen Ren¡¯s mind worked through the options, something clicked in his thoughts. The world around him was full of resources, and although he didn¡¯t have knowledge of modern solutions like DDT or pesticides, that didn¡¯t mean he was entirely without options. He just needed to approach this from a different angle.

    His eyes widened slightly as an idea hit him. He turned quickly to Anji. "I might have a way. But to make it work, we¡¯ll need to run some experiments."

    ***

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 Chapter 61: Locust extermination

    A few days passed since Chen Ren¡¯s arrival in Meadow Village, and as time went on, he slowly became accustomed to the peaceful surroundings. The relentless pace of Cloud Mist City, with its endless hustle and clamor, was replaced by a calm quietness that now seemed to settle into his bones.

    While the city was vibrant and full of opportunity, there was something about the simplicity of village life¡ªits unhurried days and open, beautiful skies¡ªthat made it grow on him. As the days passed, Chen Ren found himself appreciating the stillness more and more, realizing that it was somewhere he could build the foundation for what he wanted.

    The cleaning of the houses had been quick. With the help of Chief Muyang¡¯s men, and the reluctant cooperation of the bandits-turned-villagers, the once-neglected properties were now livable. The rooms were divided up, each person having their own designated space, though the children would be sharing, much to their displeasure. The houses were simple but functional, with enough space for everyone to settle comfortably.

    Among the tasks he had in mind, the most important was setting up rooms dedicated to his work. Therefore, he made one of the houses become his laboratory, the other his office. The laboratory was the place where he would experiment with new ideas¡ªalchemy, arrays, talismans and product creation in order to advance his business. The office was a space where he could strategize, organize, and reflect on his next moves. He needed both of the spaces.

    Having his own office, with the rustic, modest furniture arranged, filled him with a sense of accomplishment. It satisfied the part of him that had always dreamed of running his own business¡ªa college graduate who had once spent hours looking for jobs, imagining what it would be like to one day sit behind a desk and make the decisions. Now, the office felt like a symbol of his journey. It was a place where he could take ownership, a place that grounded him in the vision of what he wanted to create.

    But beyond his new responsibilities, Chen Ren¡¯s focus was on three main things: cultivating, training, and researching ways to rid the village of the locusts that plagued the farmlands.

    Despite his dao, which didn¡¯t require him to cultivate in the ways that others did, Chen Ren still enjoyed the meditative practice of an hour spent in his star space. There, he would focus his mind, reaching out, hoping for some sign from the golden dragon that had eluded him since the tournament. He couldn¡¯t help but feel the need to grow stronger¡ªafter all, in a world like this, danger was ever-present, and survival depended on strength.

    As Chen Ren had learned firsthand, cultivation realms weren¡¯t the only factors that determined success in a battle. Combat techniques, the ability to stay calm during battle, and clever tactics played just as critical a role.

    He had quickly set into a routine, rising early each morning to practice his spear and palm techniques. And every time he put his skills into practice, he felt the growth¨Cin his rhythm and even movements. The time to practise too felt perfect with the calmness in the morning.

    Luckily, he didn¡¯t have to spar with Yalan, whose strength would surely leave him nursing bruises for days. Instead, he had another target in mind¡ªan unlikely one, but a target nonetheless. The locusts. They were the perfect combat targets for now.

    Over the days, he had observed their behavior closely. He learned their patterns, how they would swarm in droves to devour anything in their path, how their movements were slightly erratic yet predictable once you understood the rhythm. The more he studied them, the more he realized he could lure them with food, both meat and anything sweet. And so, he began to attract small groups of locusts to the edge of the farmland, setting up the perfect battlefield for his daily practice.

    At first, Chen Ren had considered just eradicating the locust while training. But quickly, he understood that while this was an excellent form of practice, wiping them all out would take months. The locusts were numerous, and killing them one by one, though effective, wasn¡¯t a permanent solution.

    He stuck to his original plan: gather information, find their weaknesses, and eventually devise a strategy that would rid the village of the plague once and for all.

    The constant exposure to the locusts allowed him to cut through their bodies and gain valuable insight into their anatomy.

    He took notes, observing their reactions to various stimuli, and piecing together patterns in their behavior. While each small victory over a group of locusts brought him satisfaction, it was his after study that offered the real rewards.

    Still, it wasn¡¯t until one evening, after countless trials, that he finally found what he needed¡ªnot from his knowledge of Earth, but from this Xianxia world itself. .

    The very next day, Chen Ren set to work.

    His hands worked fast and the occasional hiss of ingredients being added to the cauldron filled the air every now and then. He mixed herbs, ground powders, and added oils into the large cauldron at the center of the room. He could smell the crushed leaves, root juices and the fire of the caudron.

    It was soothing in a way. Because the process had to be done carefully¡ªhe had already made a number of failed attempts, which resulted in an explosion or a reaction that sent smoke billowing out of the cauldron.

    The ingredients had been tricky, and his understanding of the alchemical processes in this world was still limited. But after after countless failures, he finally felt like he was getting somewhere.

    His heart raced as the liquid inside the cauldron took on a shimmering, almost iridescent hue. He stepped back, wiping his brow, and looked down at the brew. There were no explosions, no violent reactions. It simmered peacefully.

    ¡°I finally did it,¡± he muttered to himself with a smile, the words barely escaping his lips. ¡°No explosions this time.¡±

    For a moment, he stood there in silence, watching the concoction slowly bubble. The mixture had finally stabilized, its rich purple hue swirling within the cauldron. He couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of pride as he took in the result.

    The basic alchemical book that Qing He had provided him was filled with information, more reliable than he had initially expected. He¡¯d thought for sure he¡¯d blow something up even this time¡ªbut so far, everything had held up.

    "I guess every new alchemist goes through a phase of explosions," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. "But at least I¡¯m improving. Thanks to Qing He¡¯s books, I¡¯ve actually made some real progress."

    He gave the mixture one last swirl, watching as the liquid shimmered in the cauldron.

    Satisfied, he turned to a nearby box containing a set of particular herbs, his fingers grazing over them as he began gathering the necessary ingredients. The makeshift alchemical lab he¡¯d created for himself was far from impressive, but it served its purpose. Books, dried herbs, powders, and jars filled with various concoctions cluttered the shelves, their disorganized state a reflection of the rush he had been in to set up a functional space for his experiments.

    Though it wasn¡¯t much, it was his. And that, he thought, was the most important thing.

    As he picked up a bundle of red herbs, his mind wandered back to the task at hand¡ªthe locusts. His plan was starting to take shape. He needed something to make them go away, something that wasn¡¯t just brute force. The solution he was crafting now would hopefully provide that.

    Suddenly, the door creaked open behind him, and Chen Ren looked up to see Anji walking in, her hair tied back into a neat ponytail. She didn¡¯t look surprised to find him in the midst of another experiment, though her eyes were curious.

    ¡°Tang Xiulan was asking if you were going to have lunch,¡± Anji asked respectfully.

    Chen Ren gave her a brief glance. "I¡¯m busy right now," he replied. "I might just eat dinner straight. Once this is done, I¡¯m planning to meet with the village chief."

    Anji nodded, but instead of leaving, she lingered by the door, watching him with quiet interest. Chen Ren turned back to his work, mixing the herbs carefully, adding a pinch of spirit grass to the bubbling concoction. As soon as it hit the cauldron, a puff of smoke rose from the mixture. He stepped back, pleased with the reaction.

    Nodding to himself, he let out a satisfied sigh. But before he could celebrate his success, Anji¡¯s voice broke the silence.

    ¡°What are you doing, young master?¡± she asked, stepping closer. ¡°Are you making a concoction for your cultivation?¡±

    Chen Ren glanced up, a small smile tugging at his lips. ¡°No, it¡¯s not for me,¡± he said, his voice light. ¡°It¡¯s for the locusts. I¡¯m making something for them to eat. Poison.¡±

    Anji looked down at the herbs scattered across the table, her brow furrowing slightly. ¡°Poison?¡± she repeated. ¡°I didn¡¯t know there was poison for locusts. And these herbs... aren¡¯t they common?¡±

    "Yes, I got someone to get the herbs for me," Chen Ren said, nodding in confirmation. "And you¡¯re right about there not being a specific poison for locusts or pests in general. I¡¯m actually following a recipe for poison meant for body forging realm beasts and then adding a few herbs that might make it lethal for the bugs."

    He glanced at the cauldron. "Though, mostly I¡¯m just following the recipe. In the end, it¡¯s poison. It should work well."

    Anji nodded, but her curiosity still lingered. "But why?" sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Chen Ren straightened and wiped his hands on his clothes, his gaze fixed on the boiling concoction. "To get in their good books," he said with a small shrug. "Solving this problem will make the villagers feel more at ease with us. You know how they look at us right now. If I want to set up my base here, it¡¯s paramount we get them to think we¡¯re a force of good, not just outsiders causing trouble."

    Anji raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "I¡¯m not talking about that. You know that.¡± She paused, her eyes narrowing as she thought of something. "There are better ways of accomplishing this, ways that cultivators are more likely to follow."

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    Chen Ren turned towards her, leaning slightly against the table. "Making them submit by force? A grand display of my strength?" His tone was dry, almost mocking.

    "Yes, just that," Anji said without hesitation, meeting his gaze directly. "Why aren¡¯t you going for it?"

    Chen Ren let out a slow breath and shook his head, his voice soft but firm. "It¡¯s not my path. I can¡¯t do that. I¡¯d cringe. And although my acting is good, there are limits to it."

    Anji didn¡¯t respond immediately. Her brow furrowed as she thought about his words, the silence hanging between them. After a moment, she spoke again. "I don¡¯t understand."

    Chen Ren turned fully toward her. "Think of it as dao. Every cultivator follows their dao, and there are principles in it. A martial dao person also lives by rules. Sure, there are those who don¡¯t follow these principles, who oppress people, but I¡¯m not going to be like that. My dao doesn¡¯t allow that." He paused, rethinking his own words. "No, I won¡¯t allow that."

    He shook his head slowly, turning his attention back to the cauldron. "I know I could force them to submit, but that¡¯s not my way. It¡¯s not how I want to lead. And that''s why I''m going this route." He paused for a moment before turning back to her, his voice quieter, almost as if testing the waters. "What about you? Do you have a path? Principles?"

    Anji froze, her body stiffening as the question hit her. Her eyes darted to the floor as if searching for something she couldn¡¯t quite grasp. She opened her mouth to speak, then hesitated. Her lips parted again, but only silence came. After a long, drawn-out pause, she finally spoke, her voice a bit softer than before.

    "I don¡¯t," she said, the words slow and hesitant. "I don¡¯t have a path. I think... I just can walk anywhere."

    Chen Ren studied her carefully, his gaze unwavering. The uncertainty in her voice was palpable, and it was clear to him that this was a question she had never really asked herself before. He remained quiet, letting her words sink in. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the only sound was the faint bubbling of the cauldron.

    Finally, Chen Ren smiled, though it was a small, almost melancholic one. ¡°Are you looking for one?" he asked.

    Anji''s eyes shifted as she paused, clearly lost in thought. She looked down, her fingers fidgeting with the fabric of her sleeve, as if trying to put her feelings into words. "I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t think I¡¯m worthy of moving on any path."

    Chen Ren tilted his head. "Why is that?" he asked, his tone soft but probing, eager to understand her thoughts more deeply.

    Before she could answer, the cauldron let out a puff of smoke, drawing both of their attention. Chen Ren turned toward it, and a satisfied smile spread across his face as he assessed the mixture within.

    The concoction had taken on a deep, rich purple color¡ªricher than the previous stage. A faint, almost eerie glow pulsed from within, and the air around it shifted with a herbal aroma.

    The texture of the liquid was thick, almost syrupy, and the consistency seemed just right. It was the kind of poison that would be slow-acting but incredibly deadly to creatures with weaker vitality¡ªlike the locusts. Despite its strength, it didn¡¯t look like much on the surface. There were no extravagant colors or unusual effects, but Chen Ren knew better than to judge it by its simplicity.

    He leaned closer to the cauldron, inhaling the scent. "I believe it¡¯s ready."

    Turning back to Anji, he spoke. "It¡¯s finally time to go and finish this locust problem once and for all."

    ***

    The group stood silently atop the hill that overlooked the farmland. Chen Ren, Yalan, Xiulan, Anji, Chief Muyang and a few other villagers were all present, looking at the large swarm of locusts hovering just beyond the edge of the farmland.

    The buzzing of the wings was now a constant, unsettling noise that filled their ears.

    Chief Muyang stood slightly apart from the others, his hands clasped behind his back. He observed the locusts quietly before turning to Chen Ren. "Young Master Chen, are you sure it''s going to work?" His tone was respectful, but there was a subtle hesitation there, as if the chief still had his doubts about the strange method that Chen Ren had chosen to deal with the locusts. "Of course, I''m not doubting your knowledge or anything," he quickly added, as if to ease any potential offense.

    "I think so. We just have to keep watching."

    His eyes shifted slightly to the edge of the clearing, where a single dead locust lay on the ground. Unlike the others, its body was slick with a faint sheen of liquid, evidence of the poison he had crafted. Chen Ren¡¯s gaze hardened as he observed it closely, anticipation building within him.

    The moment he had been waiting for arrived slowly, creeping into view as a group of three locusts approached the dead body. They hesitated for a moment, their antennae twitching as they inspected the corpse.

    He stood there, watching with a focused intensity as the locusts circled the corpse. A small thrill surged through him when none of them turned away, as he had feared they might. This was the first victory.

    He could feel a subtle sense of triumph rising in his chest, but he kept his composure.

    Then, one of the locusts leaned forward and took a cautious bite from its fallen comrade.

    Another followed soon after, snapping at the body with urgency. The scene played out exactly as he had hoped¡ªsoon, all three were greedily feasting on the carcass of their own kind. Chen Ren had discovered during his observations that locusts were not only vicious feeders, but they would also feast on their own if one of them died¡ªan instinct he planned to use to his advantage.

    At the sight, Chen Ren allowed himself a small smile, the tension in his body easing as the plan unfolded in front of him. Xiulan, who had been watching intently, turned to him with a grin on her face. "They aren''t being repulsed by the poison on the corpse," she observed.

    Chen Ren nodded, the smile on his lips growing faint but proud. "I made sure to add herbs that the locusts feast on during my experiments. I also made sure the poison¡¯s smell blended with those herbs. I don¡¯t think they know what they¡¯re eating.¡± His eyes never left the locusts, still watching them with keen interest as they continued to devour the corpse.

    Chief Muyang, though impressed, looked like kept his thoughts to himself for a moment before speaking again. "It seems you''ve thought of everything," he said.

    Chen Ren gave a small shrug, not wanting to let the moment become too celebratory. "It¡¯s just a start," he said. "We¡¯ll see how it goes from here."

    But deep down, he felt the satisfaction.

    Chen Ren watched as the locusts, one by one, fell to the ground, their bodies twitching before they lay still. Within moments, the first group of locusts was dead, and more were following suit. The distant buzzing from the rest of the swarm grew louder as more of the locusts, attracted by the scent of the poisoned bodies, swarmed toward the fallen. They too began feasting on their comrades, only to meet the same grim fate.

    "Keep watching," Chen Ren instructed.

    Xiulan, standing beside him, gave a satisfied nod. "It¡¯s working better than expected.¡±

    Chen Ren stretched, feeling a small sense of pride in his work. "By tomorrow, the entire farm will be free of them," he murmured, already thinking ahead. He turned toward the village chief, who was still watching in wonder, his expression a mix of gratitude and disbelief.

    "I¡¯ll leave more poison for you," Chen Ren said casually, his eyes still on the dead locusts. Chief Muyang turned to him, bowing deeply. "Thank you, Young Master. You¡¯ve solved such a large problem for us. If not for you, we would have been dead in a few months."

    He saw Muyang¡¯s eyes tearing up.

    "You can still be dead," he said bluntly. That earned Chen Ren a confused look. "The farms will take time to recover. Planting crops will be a slow process. But I have an idea to solve that."

    Chief Muyang blinked, taken aback by the bluntness of Chen Ren¡¯s statement, but then his eyes sharpened, and he leaned forward. "What is it, Young Master?"

    Chen Ren took a breath and adjusted his stance. "Is the locust problem exclusive to your village?" he asked.

    "No, not just here. But it¡¯s not as bad in the nearby villages. They come from the nests that have been growing recently, because no cultivator has moved to burn them up. But even so, I know a few locusts make their way to the farms in these parts."

    Chen Ren nodded, already having pieced things together. "Then I will give you a batch of the poison. Use it for the nests. Sell it to the nearby villages and get food in return. I believe that saving them from a potential catastrophe will make them eager to give you their crops willingly."

    Chief Muyang¡¯s eyes widened as understanding dawned on him. He seemed to consider the plan for a moment before his face broke into a smile. "That could work. If we can handle the nests and offer this to the villages... We might be able to get enough food to survive while the farms recover."

    Chen Ren smiled, his plan coming to fruition. "Exactly. Not only will this help your village, but you¡¯ll be in a position to trade with the others for the food you need. It will take some work, but I¡¯m confident you¡¯ll make it work."

    The village chief nodded, deeply moved by Chen Ren¡¯s foresight. "I¡¯ll make sure to use it wisely, Young Master. You¡¯ve done more than we could have hoped for. Thank you, Young Master,¡± he bowed again. ¡°No one has ever done something like this for our small village before. We are all in your debt." As he spoke, several villagers who had gathered around them also bowed in unison.

    Chen Ren felt a sudden wave of awkwardness. The reverence they showed him made him feel like he was standing in the presence of Gods¡ªor more like, he was the God, a feeling that didn¡¯t sit well with him. He shifted uncomfortably, scratching the back of his neck, not quite used to being the center of so much reverence.

    Yalan snickered quietly at his discomfort, watching the scene unfold with amusement. Chen Ren shot the cat a glance, narrowing his eyes slightly, but Yalan simply tilted her head, the playful gleam in her amber eyes unmistakable.

    Ignoring the teasing cat, Chen Ren turned his attention back to the village chief, who was still bowing deeply. "I do want something out of you," he said.

    Chief Muyang paused, looking up in confusion. "What, Young Master? I don¡¯t think the village can give you anything. We are poor and have no mystical artifacts to offer."

    Chen Ren¡¯s expression remained serious as he looked at the old man. "Oh, you can give me something," he said cryptically, glancing at the gathered villagers. "Men and women."

    The village chief furrowed his brow, confused. "What do you need them for? Building something?"

    Chen Ren shook his head. "That will come, but no, I don¡¯t need them as laborers," he said. "I want you to send word to everyone in this village and the nearby villages that my sect, the Divine Coin Sect, will be recruiting members and checking for spirit roots in people. And even mortals can join us."

    ¡°Recruiting mortals? Young Master, you mean as servants? As laborers in your sect?"

    "No, not as servants. Actual members, at the same standing as cultivators. Our Divine Coin Sect doesn¡¯t discriminate. We see value in all. Whether someone has spirit roots or not, they are welcome. We believe every individual has something to offer, regardless of their cultivation potential."

    Chief Muyang stood there for a moment, staring at him in stunned silence. It seemed the concept of mortal members in a cultivator''s sect was foreign to him, something he had never encountered in his lifetime.

    "You mean¡­ mortal members?" the old man asked, still unsure. "But¡­ in a sect?" He shook his head slightly, trying to make sense of the idea.

    Chen Ren nodded firmly. "Exactly. Just get it done and you will know more with time."

    Chief Muyang, though still a little confused by the idea, was now bowing once more. "I will get it done, Young Master. Give me three days, and I¡¯ll make sure that there will be lines of people wanting to join your sect."

    Chen Ren gave a satisfied nod. "Good. I¡¯ll be waiting." He turned to leave, but before he did, he glanced at the group of villagers still standing around. Their faces were a mix of curiosity, hope, and disbelief, but Chen Ren knew this would set the stage for the future. His sect would grow¡ªhe could feel it in his bones.

    As he and his group began to walk away, Yalan kept close by his side, her tail flicking lazily. she mused.

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

 Chapter 62: Sect recruitment (1)

    Zi Han¡¯s steps were quiet as he moved along a narrow dirt path.

    The forest was calm, eerily calm in this area and no one dared to walk through it. Sunlight peeked down through the trees, creating a patchwork of light and shadow that covered the ground.

    On his back, he carried a sturdy bow¡ªnot because he expected trouble, but because years of guarding the village had taught him to always be prepared.

    The path sloped upward, leading to a small hill that overlooked the forest. Zi Han didn¡¯t hurry. He knew what he would find at the top. As he climbed, the hill¡¯s crest came into view, and there, lying in the dappled sunlight, was the massive form of Little Yuze.

    The wolf was resting, its dark obsidian fur shining. Its chest rose and fell slowly, the rhythm steady but marked by the strain of healing wounds. Even now, it bore the marks around its chest and throat from the fight with that cultivator, Chen Ren.

    Beside the wolf, leaning casually against its side, was Zi Wen. His older brother sat with his knees drawn up, arms draped loosely over them as he gazed at the sky above. His face carried that familiar, faraway look, the one Zi Han had seen countless times before. It was as if Zi Wen¡¯s body was here, but his mind was somewhere else entirely.

    Zi Han didn¡¯t call out to him. He knew better. Instead, he kept walking, his footsteps crunching faintly on the scattered leaves and twigs. He only stopped when he was a few paces away.

    Finally, Zi Wen stirred, his sharp eyes flicking toward Zi Han as if snapping back to reality. He straightened slightly, one hand brushing against Little Yuze¡¯s fur.

    ¡°Is it lunch already?¡± Zi Wen asked casually, as though he hadn¡¯t just spent hours daydreaming on top of a hill.

    Zi Han shook his head. ¡°No. It¡¯s still hours away.¡±

    ¡°I thought so.¡± Zi Wen stretched, rolling his shoulders and shifting his weight. He glanced briefly at the bow on Zi Han¡¯s back before looking back up at the sky. ¡°For a moment, I was worried I¡¯d wasted half the day and didn¡¯t even catch anything worthwhile.¡± He paused, then turned his eyes back to Zi Han. ¡°So, why are you here?¡±

    Zi Han crossed his arms and met his brother¡¯s gaze. ¡°Do you really not remember? I told you last night¡ªit¡¯s time to go.¡±

    Zi Wen frowned, his expression darkening. ¡°I¡¯ve already told you my answer. I¡¯m not applying to another sect.¡± He leaned back against the wolf¡¯s side, shaking his head. ¡°You don¡¯t understand, Zi Han. You¡¯re young. These sects only care about spirit roots, background, and what you can offer them. They¡¯re selfish. And if you can¡¯t meet their standards, they¡¯ll toss you aside like garbage.¡± His voice hardened, his words laced with bitterness.

    Zi Han sighed, a flicker of frustration crossing his face. ¡°First of all, I¡¯m in my late twenties. I¡¯m not that young. Second, you¡¯ve been saying the same thing every time this comes up. And third, the village chief said this is different. Young Master Chen Ren specifically asked for us¡ªfor you¡ªto be there.¡±

    Zi Wen snorted. ¡°Different how? That cultivator is only interested in Little Yuze. Nothing else.¡±

    Zi Han shrugged, glancing at the wolf, which let out a low grunt, almost as if agreeing with Zi Wen¡¯s words. ¡°Maybe. Little Yuze is special enough to draw attention. But you know as well as I do that Chen Ren didn¡¯t kill us. Any other cultivator would¡¯ve done it without hesitation.¡±

    Zi Wen didn¡¯t respond immediately. His frown deepened, his gaze shifting to the wolf at his side, whose teal eyes remained closed in rest. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. He sighed. ¡°Yeah, I do. But¡ª¡±

    Zi Han cut him off this time. ¡°Not only that, he killed the locusts, Brother Wen. Nothing we tried worked against them. Our traps, our fires¡ªnone of it made a difference. But in less than a week, Chen Ren wiped them out. And not just that, he let the village chief harvest the poison. Chief Muyang traded it with nearby villages that were struggling with those nests, and you know how much it helped everyone.¡± Zi Han stepped closer, his voice quieter but more pointed. ¡°He didn¡¯t ask for anything in return. No payment. No tribute. And he wasn¡¯t sent by a sect to do it either. He did it because he wanted to help us.¡±

    Zi Wen hesitated, his lips pressed into a thin line as he looked down at his hands. For a moment, the only sound was the soft breeze rustling through the trees. He looked as if he was deep in thought, considering everything that has happened so far. ¡°So, what are you saying? That he¡¯s different from the others? That he¡¯s not like the usual cultivators?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Zi Han said and his eyes steady as they met his brother¡¯s. ¡°And we should give him a chance. I know you don¡¯t like your current life. You have never enjoyed being just a hunter.¡±

    Zi Wen scoffed lightly and shook his head. ¡°You think I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re doing, Zi Han? You¡¯re trying to say I¡¯m unhappy. But you¡¯re wrong. My life is peaceful¡ªspending time with Little Yuze, hunting when I need to. What more do I need?¡±

    Zi Han took a step closer and crouched down.

    ¡°Maybe you have had enough peace, brother. I know you. You¡¯ve never been content with just this. You¡¯re not happy. You¡¯ve always had ambition¡ªyou just buried it under all this talk of peace. And you¡¯re not the only one.¡± He took a breath. ¡°I have ambitions too, Brother Wen. I¡¯ve just never talked about them. I don¡¯t want to spend my entire life as the guard of this village. I want to try for something bigger, and this might be our chance.¡±

    Zi Wen stared at him.

    ¡°I¡¯m going, brother. Even without spirit roots, I¡¯ll try. If they¡¯re taking mortals, then maybe, just maybe, I¡¯ll find a place there. You¡¯re free to stay, but I hope you won¡¯t.¡±

    With that, Zi Han turned, his steps slow as he made his way back down the hill. Although he knew he couldn¡¯t change his brother¡¯s heart, a part of him clinged onto the hope that maybe, just maybe, Zi Wen would listen to him. But he¡¯d been wrong, even if he¡¯d said everything he wanted to.

    Therefore, he kept walking.

    The path he¡¯d come from seemed longer now. He sighed. But before he had gone far, he heard the sound of his brother¡¯s voice calling out.

    ¡°Wait, Zi Han!¡± Zi Han stopped and turned around. His brother was already on his feet, shrugging the dust off of his pants and he hesitantly looked up. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ coming with you.¡±

    Zi Han¡¯s lips widened at that. ¡°Then hurry. I heard a lot of people are already gathering there.¡±

    Zi Wen gave a faint grunt, glancing back at Little Yuze as if seeking some silent reassurance before taking a step forward. The wolf got up with him.

    Together, the two brothers and Little Yuze started walking down the hill.

    ***

    Chen Ren stood on the wooden balcony of one of the buildings he owned, his arms crossed as he surveyed the crowd gathered below. The sight before him was more overwhelming than he had expected. Over two hundred people had shown up, their voices blending into a sea of chatter and excitement that echoed across the courtyard.

    The crowd was diverse¡ªyoung parents with their children, curious villagers, and even the odd elder, all gathered for one reason: the chance to test their aptitude for cultivation.

    The majority of the crowd he saw were teenagers, some barely in their early teens, standing nervously beside their parents. Chen Ren noted the hopeful gleam in their eyes and the way their parents hovered protectively, their expressions a mix of pride and anxiety.

    In the Kalian Empire, the process of the aptitude test hadn¡¯t been the easiest to get done. For that, they¡¯d needed a root stone; a tool that was known to detect spirit roots. When touched, it would light up in response to the presence of spirit roots within a person, and the intensity of the glow would indicate the strength of those roots.

    It was a simple yet effective method, but one rarely accessible to the average villager.

    Aptitude tests were conducted only once every three years in designated cities or sect strongholds, and the cost and journey involved deterred many families from participating. The odds weren¡¯t in their favor either¡ªonly one in a hundred people might possess spirit roots. For most, the journey wasn¡¯t worth the risk of crushing disappointment.

    Moreover, only guardian sects and a few established ones had the required capital to get a root stone. For the majority of sects, they didn''t have the resources to conduct an aptitude test and could only take in the scraps of the bigger sects. Fortunately, he had no need for such a stone with Yalan''s presence.

    Chen Ren knew he was making a bold move by hosting this test here, in a place where no sect had ever bothered to hold such an event. But he also knew the potential it held¡ªnot just for the people gathered here, but for himself.

    This wasn¡¯t merely an act of charity or goodwill. After today, one of his most pressing problems would be solved: the lack of manpower for both his business and his budding sect.

    As he leaned forward slightly, scanning the crowd, he felt the kind of energy that he could use to his advantage, but first, he needed to bring some order to the chaos. He walked around, descending the stairs and reached the front of the crowd, who¡¯d big smiles plastered on their faces.

    Taking a deep breath, he raised his voice. ¡°Everyone, please calm down!¡± His words cut through the noise, and the crowd gradually quieted, all eyes turning toward him, a lot of the teenagers tried to take a better look at him while getting to their tiptoes. ¡°I know you¡¯ve been waiting for this chance to see if you or your children have the talent to join our sect or even the intelligence to work alongside us. The tests will begin shortly.

    ¡°But first, I need your cooperation. Anyone over the age of fourteen is not eligible to participate in the test¡ªthis is a strict requirement. Secondly, please form a line. There¡¯s no need to push or shove; everyone will get their turn.¡±

    The crowd began to shuffle, the parents guiding their children into some semblance of a line while others stood among themselves. Chen Ren could feel the anticipation building again, but now it was tempered with order. No one wanted to anger a cultivator. Even still, half of the crowd still stood unorganized, pushing each other to get to the front.

    Chen Ren turned toward Chief Muyang, Xiulan, and Anji, who stood nearby with expectant gazes. ¡°I¡¯ll start the test soon. Make sure everyone forms a proper line and send them in one by one. With this many people¡ªand I¡¯m sure more will come once word spreads¡ªwe might need to continue tomorrow. For now, let¡¯s begin.¡±

    The trio nodded in unison, quickly stepping into action to organize the crowd. Satisfied, Chen Ren stepped toward the small wooden building that had been prepared for the test.

    Inside, the room was simple yet functional, with a single chair in the center and a desk pushed against the far wall. Yalan, in her beastly yet graceful form, lounged on the desk, her amber eyes half-lidded in boredom. Her tail swayed lazily behind her as she tilted her head.

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    ¡°Did you see anything interesting out there?¡± she asked, her voice carrying a teasing lilt.

    Chen Ren lowered himself into a chair opposite her, the slight creak of the wood breaking the silence. ¡°No,¡± he replied, shaking his head. ¡°They all seemed ordinary. No visible signs of a special physique or unique characteristics. But who knows? Maybe we¡¯ll uncover a hidden bloodling or two.¡±

    Yalan flicked her tail with a soft thump against the desk. ¡°You¡¯re awfully optimistic,¡± she said, smirking. ¡°I suppose a sect leader needs to be.¡±

    Before Chen Ren could respond, the door creaked open, revealing the first pair of entrants: a middle-aged man and a teenage girl. Both bowed deeply before stepping inside, their movements stiff with nervous respect. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Chen Ren straightened in his chair, offering a small nod of acknowledgment.

    ¡°Are you both here to take the test?¡±

    The man quickly shook his head, his hands gripping his hat tightly. ¡°No, young master. I am just a farmer, content with my life. But my daughter¡­¡± He gestured toward the girl, his voice trembling slightly. ¡°My daughter, Zushi, has dreams of something greater. She wishes to take the test.¡±

    Chen Ren studied the girl for a moment. Her hands were clenched at her sides, her knuckles white, but her eyes¡ªthey were sparkling with hope. ¡°Very well,¡± he said, gesturing toward the chair in the center of the room. ¡°Sit here.¡±

    Zushi moved quickly, and lowered herself into the chair. Chen Ren glanced at Yalan, who nodded and then he rose gracefully from his chair. Stepping forward, he put his hand lightly on Zushi''s head.

    ¡°This will only take a moment,¡± he said, his voice soothing yet firm.

    Zushi nodded, her face taut with anticipation. She seemed like she expected a light to come out of Chen Ren''s hands, but nothing happened for a few seconds.

    Moments later, Yalan¡¯s voice echoed in Chen Ren¡¯s mind.

    Chen Ren exhaled softly. He pulled his hand back and took a step away.

    The room grew quiet as Chen Ren looked at Zushi, her eyes searching his face for any sign of hope. He nodded solemnly, his eyes softening as he looked at the girl. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said gently, ¡°but you don¡¯t have spirit roots.¡±

    The words struck like a hammer. The girl¡¯s lip quivered, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears as her shoulders hunched forward. She looked as though she was moments away from breaking down entirely. Her father placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. It was clear he had anticipated this result, though it did little to ease the sting.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Zushi,¡± he said softly. ¡°Let¡¯s go back home.¡±

    As they turned to leave, Chen Ren raised a hand, stopping them in their tracks. ¡°Wait,¡± he said and that made both of them freeze on their spot. ¡°Before you go, I have something to say.¡±

    They turned back toward him. Her father¡¯s eyebrows frowned in confusion while Zushi¡¯s somber expression turned to one of hope.

    ¡°Although you don¡¯t have a spirit root, the Divine Coin Sect is unique,¡± Chen Ren explained. ¡°We don¡¯t just accept cultivators. Mortals who can contribute meaningfully to the sect are just as valuable to us. If you¡¯re interested, you can stay and take an interview to see if you qualify as a mortal member.¡±

    Zushi¡¯s teary eyes widened in surprise. ¡°Can I really get in?¡±

    ¡°Yes. If you¡¯re able to pass the interview, we¡¯d be happy to have you.¡±

    The girl¡¯s father looked at Chen Ren with a deep bow, gratitude flickering in his weathered face. ¡°Thank you, young master,¡± he said sincerely.

    Zushi straightened her back, her tears forgotten. ¡°I will do my best,¡± she declared, her voice steadier now.

    Chen Ren gestured for her to sit back in the chair. ¡°Let¡¯s begin, then.¡±

    As he got comfortable in his own seat, Chen Ren¡¯s thoughts drifted to the purpose of this interview. In his previous life, back on Earth, interviews were the backbone of building trust and competency within organizations. He had adapted the process to fit the Xianxia world, asking questions that tested not just knowledge but also character, critical thinking, and adaptability. A sect wasn¡¯t just built on raw power¡ªit needed loyal, capable people to function and thrive.

    So, he started with a simple question. ¡°Do you know how to read and write?¡±

    Zushi nodded hesitantly. ¡°I know how to read, but¡­ I have trouble writing.¡±

    Chen Ren made a mental note of her answer, his expression neutral as he moved on. The questions varied in scope, covering basic maths, logic, and personal values. ¡°If you were trusted with a task by a sect elder and caused an issue that might jeopardize the sect, what would you do? Would you inform the elder or try to solve it yourself?¡± he asked, testing her integrity.

    ¡°I would inform the elder immediately,¡± Zushi replied confidently. ¡°If I try to solve it myself and it gets worse, the punishment will be far worse. I will rather accept my shortcomings.¡±

    He nodded, scribbling a tick mark besides her name on a parchment before moving onto the next question that tested her ability to think practically.

    ¡°Alright, Zushi. Let¡¯s try something a little more difficult. Picture this, you¡¯re in a room with three levers. Each lever controls one of three fireplaces in an adjacent room. You can only enter the room with the fireplaces once. How do you determine which lever controls which fireplace?"

    Zushi took a deep breath, furrowing her brow as she began to consider the problem. She took some time, her fingers moved as if she was playing the scenario in her mind.

    Finally, she spoke. "I would pull the first lever and leave it on for a few minutes. Then, I¡¯d stop and pull the second lever. That¡¯d be all that I¡¯m doing in that room. Then, I would enter the room with the fireplaces. The one that is still warm but unlit is controlled by the first lever. The one that¡¯s lit is controlled by the second lever. The one that¡¯s cold and unlit is controlled by the third lever."

    Chen Ren nodded, pleased.

    She could think logically, do very simple math, she knows her structures when it came to sect values, and maybe one more question.

    ¡°Let¡¯s say there¡¯s a war between two cities over resources. How do you think you could make a profit from it? And what do you think are the most important resources during such a time?¡±

    Zushi furrowed her brow, deep in thought. The question clearly caught her off guard, and she chewed on her lip as she considered her answer. Finally, she spoke. ¡°I think I could contribute by supporting the side I believe is most likely to win,¡± she said cautiously. ¡°As for resources¡­ weapons. A war needs weapons.¡±

    Chen Ren raised an eyebrow, waiting for more, but she hesitated. After a moment, she shook her head. ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t think of anything else,¡± she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

    Chen Ren nodded thoughtfully, tapping his fingers against the armrest of his chair. ¡°Weapons are important,¡± he said slowly, ¡°but wars are fought on more than just the battlefield. Food to sustain soldiers, medicine to treat the wounded, and information to outmaneuver the enemy are just as vital.¡±

    Zushi¡¯s eyes widened as understanding dawned on her face. She nodded quickly. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ll remember that,¡± she said earnestly.

    Chen Ren placed his hand on his chin and studied her and her answers. There was room for growth, but there was also potential. He¡¯d seen enough.

    ¡°Alright, you can go now. We¡¯ll notify you through the village chief whether or not you¡¯ve been accepted.¡±

    The girl and her father stood, bowing deeply in gratitude. ¡°Thank you, young master,¡± the father said, his voice thick with emotion. The girl followed suit, her hands clasped tightly in front of her as she struggled to contain her nervous energy.

    Chen Ren offered a small nod of acknowledgment, watching as they turned and left the room. Once the door closed behind them, he turned to Yalan, who had been lounging on the desk with her tail swishing lazily in the air.

    ¡°She¡¯s¡­ poor,¡± Yalan said bluntly, her eyes narrowing in mild disinterest.

    ¡°I believe she¡¯s decent,¡± he replied. ¡°Not many around here know how to both read and write. She may not be extraordinary, but at least she tries to think critically. With proper training, she could become a good employee.¡±

    Yalan yawned. ¡°Sure, if you¡¯re willing to invest the time. But let¡¯s see if there are better candidates first.¡±

    Chen Ren chuckled lightly, shaking his head. ¡°Fair enough.¡±

    Before they could linger further on the subject, the door creaked open again. Chen Ren straightened in his seat as the second candidate entered¡ªa middle-aged woman accompanied by a young boy who clutched her hand tightly.

    The two bowed deeply as they stepped forward. The woman¡¯s posture was stiff, and her eyes darted nervously around the room, while the boy clung to her side, peering at Chen Ren with wide, curious eyes.

    Yalan said and they began.

    For the next two hours, the process became a routine for Chen Ren. Villagers came and went, each hoping to find a spark of opportunity within the Divine Coin Sect. After conducting the aptitude tests, he found that not a single person had even one spirit root.

    Disappointingly, even the interviews yielded little promise¡ªmost of the villagers didn¡¯t know how to read or write, which came as no surprise. Education was a rarity, even in the cities, but the lack of basic skills posed a significant obstacle for Chen Ren¡¯s vision for the sect.

    Although he was willing to overlook such limitations for individuals who showed promise in other areas, very few demonstrated the curiosity or critical thinking he sought. Most seemed motivated by the prestige of joining a sect or the desire for stable work¡ªreasonable goals, but not the mindset Chen Ren needed. He wanted people eager to grow, learn, and contribute, yet such candidates were proving increasingly rare.

    Still, Chen Ren persisted, summoning one hopeful after another, patiently conducting the tests and interviews despite his mounting disappointment.

    Just as he finished speaking with yet another uninspiring candidate, a commotion outside the room broke his focus. He frowned, glancing toward the door. The muffled sound of voices rose, followed by the unmistakable low growl of an animal.

    Yalan was soon cut off when two familiar faces appeared in the doorway, both bowing towards him with stiff shoulders. Behind them, a wolf¡¯s sharp eyes and bristling fur peeked through the door frame.

    A grin spread across Chen Ren¡¯s face as he leaned back in his chair. he thought.

    ¡°It¡¯s good to see you both,¡± he greeted.

    The two brothers straightened. Zi Han, the younger, gave a slight nod, while his elder brother, Zi Wen, crossed his arms and grunted nonchalantly. Meanwhile, the wolf¡ªLittle Yuze¡ªstood silently, its intelligent eyes watching Chen Ren carefully.

    Chen Ren gestured toward the doorway. ¡°Before we begin, can you have your wolf wait outside? As much as I¡¯d like to see how obedient it is, this space isn¡¯t ideal for animals.¡±

    Zi Wen turned to the wolf. ¡°Yuze, behave and wait outside.¡±

    The wolf gave no sign of protest, trotting off obediently to settle just beyond the door.

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes twinkled with approval. He nodded at the brothers, motioning for them to step forward. ¡°So, you two want to join the sect?¡±

    Zi Han replied with a simple, ¡°Yes,¡± while Zi Wen grunted again, his lack of enthusiasm evident.

    Chen Ren smirked slightly and fixed his gaze on Zi Wen. ¡°I don¡¯t think you need an aptitude test.¡±

    Zi Han watched his elder brother, Zi Wen, with a raised eyebrow who looked equally surprised.

    "You know?" Zi Wen asked, maintaining his eye contact with Chen Ren.

    Chen Ren smiled and shrugged. "Hard to miss when the wolf is always trailing behind you, and I have a decent qi perception." He met Zi Wen''s gaze, his smile widening. "You¡¯re a cultivator."

    Zi Wen¡¯s brow furrowed, but he didn¡¯t deny it. "Barely," he muttered. "I¡¯m only in the body forging realm and on top of that, in the first star."

    "How long have you been cultivating?"

    "Twenty years," Zi Wen answered with a shrug.

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes narrowed, surprised by the answer. But before he could speak, Zi Wen added, "I haven¡¯t really cultivated for nineteen of those years. The first year, I was in a sect. Tried to go against the heavens... but eventually, I accepted my fate and my meager talent."

    "How do you know your talent is bad?"

    Zi Wen scoffed, bitterness creeping into his voice. "I only have twenty four spirit roots."

    At this, Chen Ren couldn¡¯t help but chuckle softly, shaking his head. "So, you gave up on cultivating just because of that?"

    Zi Wen¡¯s frown deepened, and his posture stiffened and he clutched his hands by his sides. "There were other reasons, but yes, that was part of it. What¡¯s so funny? Are you making fun of me?"

    Chen Ren quickly waved his hands in a placating gesture. "No, no. Not at all. It¡¯s just that I don¡¯t think having fewer spirit roots really matters that much. I myself have only twenty one spirit roots, and in the past year, I¡¯ve gone from the third star of the body forging realm to breaking through into the qi refinement realm."

    The words hung in the air for a moment as Zi Wen¡¯s eyes widened. He looked at Chen Ren, clearly trying to determine whether the young man was lying or telling the truth.

    "Sit down," Chen Ren instructed, gesturing toward a chair before he could say anything. "Before you have any questions, I¡¯d love to hear why you left cultivation behind. And if you¡¯re really interested in joining the Divine Coin Sect, we will start the interview after that."

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

 Chapter 63: Sect Recruitment (2)

    Chen Ren looked at the duo of siblings. Zi Han and Zi Wen sat there¡ªthe latter was stiff, arms crossed, had his emotions masked with a stubborn face.

    Chen Ren leaned forward, resting his elbow on his knee, and broke the silence with a calm but pointed question. ¡°So, do you want to talk about why you left your sect?¡±

    Zi Wen¡¯s brow furrowed, his lips pressing into a thin line. The question seemed to hit a nerve. His gaze dropped to the ground, unfocused, as if sifting through distant memories.

    ¡°Do you really want to know?¡±

    ¡°If you and your brother are here, it means you at least have some hope of joining my sect. So yes, I¡¯d like to know your background.¡±

    Zi Wen snorted softly, his lips curling into a wry smile. ¡°I was just dragged here.¡±

    Chen Ren raised one eyebrow, exhaling through his nose. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t have been dragged here if you didn¡¯t want to come. I like to talk straight, so why don¡¯t you?¡±

    Zi Han, who had been quietly drawing, paused. He looked up. ¡°He¡¯s right, Brother.¡±

    Zi Wen sighed, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. He stared at the ground for a long moment, then shook his head. ¡°Fine. It¡¯s not like I have anything to hide.¡±

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t press him, merely waiting in calm silence. The quietness that stretched seemed to urge Zi Wen to continue. He glanced at Chen Ren, then back to the ground, his voice quieter now.

    ¡°It was a long time ago,¡± Zi Wen began, his eyes filled with nostalgia but the scrunch of his nose showed that the man was bitter for whatever had happened. ¡°My parents took me to Lotus City. There was a sect there¡ªHeavenly Lotus Sect¡ªconducting aptitude tests. I was just a kid then, and I was... fascinated by cultivators. The stories about them, their feats, how they could fight armies single-handedly, how they were practically gods walking among mortals. I begged my parents to let me take the test.¡±

    Zi Han seemed to hold his breath while Zi Wen continued. Chen Ren guessed that even his brother hadn''t heard the story in detail and knew only bits of it.

    ¡°My parents had no reason to say no, but I¡¯m sure they expected me to fail. No one in my family had ever cultivated. Not even a trace of talent.¡± He laughed bitterly, the sound hollow. ¡°But when fate plays its hand, even the impossible becomes possible.¡±

    Chen Ren remained silent, his calm gaze unrelenting. Zi Wen met it for a moment before looking away again.

    ¡°They found I had spirit roots. Just a meager amount, but it was enough. They took me in. The Heavenly Lotus Sect was an Established sect. They didn¡¯t take in just anyone, but they made an exception for me since they needed a specific number of disciples from the city.¡±

    Zi Wen paused. ¡°At the time, I thought I was the luckiest person alive. My parents were happy for me when I was taken in. I was excited too. I thought, despite my meager talent, I¡¯d defy the heavens and reach the top. The kind of foolish confidence only a child could have.¡±

    Zi Han watched his brother with wide, unblinking eyes.

    ¡°But that confidence didn¡¯t last,¡± Zi Wen continued, his voice heavy with old wounds. ¡°A month in the sect, I learned just how far from the top I really was. I was at the bottom of the bottom. A servant.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, though he didn¡¯t interrupt.

    ¡°They gave me tasks¡ªsweeping the training grounds, scrubbing the hallways, fetching water. The kind of jobs that reminded you every day just how worthless you were. And even when I had time to cultivate, I barely made any progress. My talent¡­ it was like trying to fill a broken jar with water.¡± Zi Wen clenched his fists. ¡°Every day, my confidence cracked a little more. And then found me.¡±

    ¡°Who?¡± Chen Ren asked.

    Zi Wen exhaled sharply, his hands relaxing. ¡°The son of one of the elders. He¡¯d lost a fight to someone before and must¡¯ve been looking to vent. I was weak enough, and I guess I looked pathetic enough to make a perfect target.¡± His voice turned hard. ¡°We sparred. I lost¡ªbadly. And he laughed at me. After that, he decided I¡¯d make a good punching bag. And that¡¯s what I became.¡±

    Zi Han¡¯s mouth to interrupt. ¡°Brother, you weren''t just a punching¡ª¡±

    ¡°I was one! Just one that didn''t give up!¡± Zi Wen cut in sharply, his voice rising for the first time. He paused, his hands trembling, before continuing, softer now. ¡°I kept trying. I learned every technique I could, cultivated every spare moment. But no matter what I did, no matter how hard I tried... I kept losing. Over and over. Until... I couldn¡¯t take it anymore.¡±

    ¡°I ran,¡± Zi Wen said quietly. ¡°I left the sect and ran back to Meadow Village¡ªhome. My family was just happy to have me back. I told them I didn''t want to be a cultivator, and they didn¡¯t care about my failure. They just wanted their son back.¡± He forced a small smile. ¡°I helped on the farms, became a hunter, and tried to live peacefully. Especially after I found Yuze.¡±

    ¡°The wolf.¡± Chen Ren said.

    Zi Wen nodded, his face now lit with a soft smile. ¡°Little Yuze. A stray beast wolf. Barely alive when I found him in a trap. I raised him, and he¡¯s been my companion ever since.¡±

    Zi Wen¡¯s gaze returned to Chen Ren, his shoulders sinking. ¡°That¡¯s my story. Pathetic, I know. I actually came here because... I was curious about you. But now I know even someone like you wouldn¡¯t want a cultivator like me¡ªsomeone with no prospects, who ran away from the first real challenge they faced.¡±

    Silence fell, heavy and unyielding. Zi Wen¡¯s words hung in the air, raw and unfiltered. Chen Ren studied him, his expression unreadable, but behind his calm exterior, his thoughts churned.

    He thought of all the cultivators like Zi Wen¡ªthose who were cast aside, mocked, and crushed under the weight of expectations. How many had given up? How many were bullied into believing they were worthless by others who thought themselves superior?

    Zi Han shifted closer to his brother, resting a hand on Zi Wen¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You know that¡¯s not true, Brother.¡±

    Zi Wen let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. ¡°I didn¡¯t lie. That what happened. I gave up. I went back on everything that makes a cultivator¡ªresilience, growth, strength. I abandoned all of it.¡±

    Zi Han¡¯s grip tightened. ¡°No, you didn¡¯t. You tried¡ª¡±

    ¡°I ,¡± Zi Wen snapped, cutting him off. ¡°That¡¯s what matters. I couldn¡¯t overcome it. I ran. Doesn¡¯t that prove I wasn¡¯t cut out for it?¡± His voice cracked slightly, but he steadied it with a deep breath.

    Before Zi Han could respond, Chen Ren spoke. ¡°I don¡¯t think you went back on what a cultivator should be.¡±

    Both brothers turned to him, surprised. Zi Wen frowned, his brow furrowed. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°I mean, I don¡¯t think you¡¯re weak, and I don¡¯t think you failed in the way you think you did. From what you¡¯ve told me, you didn¡¯t just roll over. You stood up every day and tried to beat that so-called young master. You kept going, even when the odds were stacked against you. That shows resilience.¡±

    Zi Wen let out a hollow laugh. ¡°Resilience doesn¡¯t matter if you lose in the end.¡±

    Chen Ren shook his head. ¡°You only lost because the martial dao isn¡¯t your path.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°You were walking a dao that rejects you¡ªand you reject it¡ªeven if you don¡¯t realize it yet,¡± Chen Ren explained.

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand,¡± Zi Wen admitted, frustration creeping into his tone.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, his gaze drifted to the door, where a wolf-shaped shadow lingered just outside. A smirk played on his lips as he turned back to the brothers. ¡°I¡¯ll explain it to you. But right now, I don¡¯t think we have the time. Because there¡¯s a long line of candidates waiting out there. So, for now, I¡¯ll just say this¡ªI don¡¯t care about your past. What I care about is whether you¡¯re ready to move forward. If you are, I¡¯d be more than happy to have you and your brother in my sect.¡±

    Zi Wen¡¯s eyes widened slightly. ¡°You¡­ You would?¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Chen Ren said with a shrug, as if it were the simplest thing in the world. ¡°But let¡¯s be clear¡ªI¡¯d still need to conduct an interview first. No free passes, even for interesting candidates like you. If you pass, I¡¯ll welcome you both into the Divine Coin Sect.¡±

    Zi Wen hesitated, his mouth opening to say something, but Chen Ren held up a hand to stop him.

    ¡°And I know you¡¯ve had bad experiences in your previous sect,¡± Chen Ren continued. ¡°But let me make one thing clear¡ª in the Divine Coin Sect will treat you like that. We¡¯ll have strict regulations to ensure that stronger members don¡¯t bully weaker ones. Sparring is for growth, not for venting frustrations or showing off.¡±

    He leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing. ¡°So, what do you say?¡±

    Zi Wen froze. He looked at his younger brother, who was already smiling.

    Zi Han spoke up before his brother could. ¡°We¡¯re in.¡±

    Chen Ren gave a small nod, then glanced at Yalan, who sat, appearing for all the world like an ordinary cat. With that, Chen Ren turned back to the brothers.

    ¡°All right,¡± he said. ¡°Let¡¯s start the interview.¡±

    Like with the candidates before them, Chen Ren¡¯s questions ranged across various topics¡ªgoals, integrity, mathematics, and more. He wanted to see not only their capabilities but also their character.

    Zi Wen was composed but cautious in his answers. His desire to rekindle his ambition as a cultivator shone through, though there was a lingering hesitation in his voice. His brother, Zi Han, on the other hand, surprised Chen Ren. Despite lacking spirit roots, Zi Han excelled in mathematical questions, answering them faster and more accurately than Zi Wen. His sharp mind compensated for what he lacked in cultivation potential.

    Both brothers could read and write, which was another point in their favor. Their reasons for joining the Divine Coin Sect were honest and grounded: Zi Wen sought redemption and growth, while Zi Han, tired of his past as a guard and occasional bandit, yearned for purpose and belonging.

    Chen Ren found himself nodding as their answers aligned with what he had in mind. The two might not be extraordinary by conventional standards, but they had qualities that could help build the Divine Coin Sect into something greater.

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    Finally, he inhaled and asked the final question. ¡°This will be a hypothetical scenario.¡±

    The brothers exchanged a glance, then focused on Chen Ren as he outlined the scenario¡ªthe same question about profiting during a war. As Zi Wen opened his mouth to answer, Chen Ren held up a hand, stopping him. ¡°I¡¯ll give you a different question,¡± he said, turning his attention to Zi Han.

    Zi Han furrowed his brow, thinking deeply before responding. ¡°I¡¯ve never been in a war,¡± he admitted, ¡°but if something like this is happening, there¡¯s no point in siding with anyone. Instead, it¡¯s better to stay in the shadows.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly in interest. ¡°Why is that?¡±

    ¡°Because,¡± Zi Han said after a brief pause, ¡°until the end, you don¡¯t know who might win. You can make a bet on someone, but that¡¯s always a risk. There¡¯s no reason to take it when better options exist for making a profit.¡±

    ¡°What are these better options you mentioned?¡±

    Zi Han straightened. ¡°In war, the essentials are rations, weapons, manpower, and countless other supplies. Controlling those industries is the way to profit. You can sell to both sides using proxies, staying neutral and earning a fortune while others exhaust themselves fighting.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s smile deepened, a spark of approval lighting his expression. ¡°Very well. That¡¯s a good answer.¡± He turned to Zi Wen. ¡°As for you, I¡¯m not going to give you a similar question.¡±

    Zi Wen nodded cautiously, bracing himself.

    ¡°If you were given the chance to take revenge against the sect that cast you out,¡± Chen Ren asked. ¡°Would you take it? Would you kill the young master who forced you to give up on cultivation?¡±

    Zi Wen froze, his eyes widening. The question clearly caught him off guard. He glanced at his brother, who gave him a subtle, encouraging nod. Taking a deep breath, Zi Wen lowered his gaze, deep in thought.

    ¡°I won¡¯t lie. If I became strong enough and that man stood before me again, I¡¯d want to spar with him. To prove to myself that I could beat him.¡± He paused, his fists clenching. ¡°But would I kill him? I don¡¯t know. Revenge doesn¡¯t drive me anymore. It¡¯s been too long, and I¡¯m not petty enough to chase after someone who might not even remember me. I¡¯ve realized something: it¡¯s better to focus on improving myself than wasting time on the past.¡±

    Chen Ren gave a genuine smile, satisfied with the answer. ¡°Very well. You¡¯ve both passed. Welcome to the Divine Coin Sect.¡±

    Zi Han¡¯s face broke into a wide grin, and he immediately bowed low. ¡°Thank you, Sect Leader Chen!¡±

    Zi Wen, more reserved, rose from his seat and bowed as well. Though stoic, there was a quiet sincerity in his voice. ¡°Thank you, Sect Leader Chen.¡±

    Chen Ren waved his hand lightly. ¡°You can both return for now. Once recruitment is complete, I¡¯ll call for you.¡± He then focused on Zi Wen. ¡°I know you have questions¡ªabout my spirit roots and what I said about martial dao not being your path. I¡¯ll explain everything after recruitment is done.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    With that, the brothers left, leaving Chen Ren and Yalan alone in the room.

    After the brothers had left, the room fell silent, save for the faint scratching of Chen Ren¡¯s quill as he jotted down notes. Setting it aside, he turned to Yalan, who was perched lazily behind.

    ¡°Looks like we got two good members,¡± Chen Ren said with a small smile.

    Yalan stretched, her tail flicking lazily before she glanced at him. ¡°One.¡±

    Chen Ren raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°The older one might have some potential,¡± Yalan clarified. ¡°But the younger one? He doesn¡¯t even have spirit roots. At best, he¡¯ll make a good worker. I doubt he¡¯ll ever be of much use offensively.¡±

    A low chuckle escaped Chen Ren. ¡°Give it time. You¡¯ll see.¡±

    Yalan narrowed her eyes, studying him intently. ¡°What¡¯s going on in that mind of yours, Chen Ren?¡±

    ¡°Nothing much,¡± he replied, the corners of his mouth curving into a sly smile. ¡°You¡¯ll know in time.¡±

    ¡°Hmph.¡± Yalan snickered, hopping down from her place. ¡°Always so cryptic. Fine, let¡¯s continue with the recruitment then. Though I doubt your so-called optimism will bear any fruit.¡±

    Chen Ren stood and stretched, motioning toward the door for the next candidate. ¡°Who knows? We might just find another cultivator among these villagers.¡±

    Yalan let out a dry laugh. ¡°If we do, I¡¯ll eat my tail. I¡¯d be surprised if there¡¯s another cultivator in this entire group.¡±

    Chen Ren grinned. ¡°Then let¡¯s see whose predictions come true.¡±

    As Yalan settled beside him, Chen Ren called out for the next candidate.

    ***

    The smell of sawdust filled his nostrils. The man sat cross-legged on the wooden floor of his small hut, his hands deftly carving patterns into the wooden puppet in front of him. The puppet, no larger than a toddler, was detailed down to the folds of its clothing, its wooden fingers joined for mobility. A set of tiny symbols, snaked along its limbs.

    ¡°The balance is off. If the hand¡¯s embedded here, it¡¯ll throw off the leg¡¯s flexibility... I need to realign this section¡ª¡±

    The sudden interruption made his hand slip, the blade nicking the puppet¡¯s arm. His jaw clenched, irritation flaring as he set the carving tool down with a loud . Rising to his feet, he stomped toward the door.

    ¡°Who dares¡ª¡± He flung the door open, only to be greeted by the sight of a scruffy-haired boy grinning up at him. The boy barely came up to his waist, his patched-up shirt hanging loose on his thin frame.

    ¡°What do you want, little Guo?¡± the man growled, his tone sharp.

    ¡°Brother Hong,¡± the boy chirped, undeterred by the glare. ¡°Did you hear? A sect¡¯s recruiting people in Meadow Village!¡±

    Hong¡¯s eyes narrowed, his irritation giving way to faint curiosity. ¡°A sect? What¡¯s its name?¡±

    ¡°The Divine Coin Sect!¡± Zhou declared proudly, his grin widening.

    ¡°Divine Coin Sect?¡± Hong repeated, his brows knitting together. He rolled the name around in his mind but came up blank. ¡°Never heard of it. Why are you telling me this?¡±

    Zhou crossed his arms, clearly enjoying himself. ¡°My mom said they¡¯re taking mortals too. She told me to tell you because maybe you can join and stop sitting at home playing with your dolls.¡±

    Before Hong could react, Zhou let out a loud laugh, turned, and sprinted away down the dirt path.

    ¡°Damn brat,¡± Hong muttered, shaking his head as he closed the door. He returned to the puppet, picking up his tools, but his focus was gone. The boy¡¯s words nagged at him.

    ¡°A sect taking in mortals?¡± he murmured, his knife pausing mid-cut. ¡°That¡¯s... unusual. No sect worth its name recruits mortals, not even for menial work. That¡¯s what outer disciples are for.¡±

    His thoughts spiraled. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of this Divine Coin Sect either. A new sect? Or...¡± A sudden chill ran down his spine as his mind conjured the worst possibility.

    ¡°A demonic sect.¡± The words escaped his lips like a curse. ¡°They¡¯re trying to gather mortals for a ritual sacrifice, aren¡¯t they?¡±

    The more Hong thought about it, the more convinced he became. ¡°It¡¯s too suspicious. A sect no one¡¯s heard of, recruiting mortals? It¡¯s either a trap or something worse.¡±

    He glanced at the puppet on his workbench, its incomplete form seeming to mock him. With a sigh, he set down his tools and stood, grabbing his cloak.

    ¡°I need to check this out,¡± he muttered, striding toward the door.

    Once outside, Hong glanced toward the edge of the village, where the forest was. He took a deep breath, then tapped into his qi. The energy surged through his body, and with a leap, he disappeared into the trees, his speed a blur to the naked eye.

    The dense forest whipped past him as he pushed his cultivation, covering miles in mere minutes. His mind raced as fast as his feet.

    As the trees thinned, the sprawling fields of Meadow Village came into view. Hong slowed his pace, his keen eyes scanning the area. He didn¡¯t have to look far.

    A large crowd had already gathered in the village square, forming a line that stretched toward the entrance of the house. A burly old man stood at the front of the crowd, his hands clasped in front of him as he nodded and talked to the village men, who were clearly excited. Behind him was a small young woman¡ªprobably a maid. Around them were a group of kids, helping to keep the line in order because of the eager crowd.

    Hong frowned as he approached the scene. ¡°Looks like I¡¯ve found them.¡±

    As Hong found himself among the crowd, the murmur of voices reached his ears. Villagers whispered excitedly about two brothers who had been accepted into the sect. Snippets of conversation flitted past him,

    ¡°They say they had to go through an interview... they say he is asking questions.¡±

    ¡°Must be nice to get in so easily.¡±

    ¡°Easily? I heard they answered a lot of questions.¡±

    The more Hong listened, the deeper his frown grew. His confusion was mounting. He felt no trace of demonic qi in the air¡ªnone of the sinister energy he expected to find if this were truly a trap. Instead, there was an odd sense of anticipation and unease, but nothing outright malicious.

    As he pushed closer to get a better look at the house where the so-called ¡°recruitment¡± was taking place, a voice yelled at him..

    ¡°Hey! Get in line like everyone else!¡±

    Hong turned to see an older man glaring at him, arms crossed. Several other villagers shot him similarly annoyed looks.

    ¡°I...¡± Hong started, but then quickly clamped his mouth shut. Drawing too much attention to himself could jeopardize his cover. With a reluctant sigh, he muttered, ¡°Fine,¡± and shuffled to the back of the line. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    He stood there, arms crossed, his sharp eyes taking in everything around him. People came and went from the house, most emerging with crestfallen faces. He could hear snippets of their disappointment.

    ¡°He said I didn¡¯t have a spirit root.¡±

    ¡°He didn¡¯t even take me for labor work...¡±

    ¡°Young Master Chen Ren said he¡¯ll let me know through Chief Muyang.¡±

    Hong mused. He scanned the area again, his senses reaching out for even the faintest trace of foul play, but there was nothing. The people leaving were sad, not terrified.

    The line moved slowly, and with each step forward, Hong¡¯s curiosity deepened. By the time he reached the entrance, his nerves were taut with a mix of confusion and suspicion.

    Finally, his turn came, and he stepped into the room.

    The interior was surprisingly bare. Two chairs, but the only other occupants were a man seated calmly behind a wooden table and a sleek white cat curled up at his feet. Her amber eyes fixed on Hong the moment he entered.

    Hong¡¯s gaze raked over the room again, looking for an aptitude stone or any other tools typically used in such tests, but there was nothing. he thought, his brow furrowing.

    His sharp eyes flicked back to the man who was seated.

    At first glance, the man¡ªChen Ren¡ªseemed ordinary. Dark hair, robes that spoke of wealth¡ªbut not too much wealth, just the right amount. And the demeanor of a usual mortal, but as Hong extended his senses to probe him, he felt the unmistakable aura of a cultivator. It was subtle but undeniable.

    ¡°Welcome. Please, take a seat,¡± Chen Ren spoke up.

    Hong hesitated for a moment before stepping forward. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± the man asked.

    ¡°Hong Yi,¡± he replied curtly, eyeing the man warily.

    Chen Ren nodded, jotting something down on a piece of parchment. ¡°Good. Sit down, Hong Yi. We¡¯ll begin the aptitude test shortly.¡±

    Hong barely suppressed a snicker as he lowered himself into the chair.

    Hong sat stiffly in the chair, his silver eyes locked onto the man in front of him. The calm behavior of this supposed sect leader was unsettling. There was no grand display of power, no oppressive aura to assert dominance¡ªjust a quiet confidence. The white cat still sat at the man¡¯s feet, its gaze unbroken as if it saw straight through him.

    He suddenly rose from his chair and stepped closer, extending a hand toward Hong.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Hong asked, moving back¡ªout of reach.

    ¡°Relax, this won¡¯t hurt.¡±

    Hong tensed as the man placed a hand on his shoulder, but to his surprise, no surge of qi invaded his body. He had been prepared to resist any attempt to pry into his cultivation base, yet there was nothing¡ªno force, no invasive technique.

    Instead of focusing on the man, Hong¡¯s attention drifted to the white cat. Something about the way it watched him sent a chill down his spine.

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes began to shift, his brow furrowing, then his lips twitching in what might have been amusement or annoyance. After a moment, he removed his hand and crossed his arms.

    ¡°You have sixty-seven spirit roots,¡± the man said flatly.

    Hong¡¯s jaw tightened, his mind racing.

    ¡°And you¡¯re in the qi refinement realm. First star.¡±

    Hong¡¯s breath caught, his eyes narrowing sharply. His concealment technique should have masked his cultivation base entirely. There was no way this man could have seen through it so easily.

    ¡°Why are you here?¡±

    Hong¡¯s eyes widened at that question. ¡°How... How do you know that?¡±

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

    Read 15 chapters ahead here.

 Chapter 64: Sect recruitment (3)

    Chen Ren froze as he looked up at the cultivator in front of him, who looked equally shocked. For a while, neither of them spoke, and time itself seemed to have frozen as they stared at each other.

    A storm of thoughts whirled in his mind. Why was such a strong cultivator here? It was clear that the man wasn¡¯t just some wandering rogue looking for recruitment¡ªno, someone of his cultivation and roots could likely secure a spot in a Guardian sect if he wanted, at least as an outer disciple. So why had he come? What was his goal?

    Before he could voice the question, the cultivator moved. His expression shifted from confusion to hostility in an instant, and he shot up from his chair, thrusting a palm strike toward Chen Ren.

    Chen Ren¡¯s instincts screamed at him, and he dodged just in time. Lightning arced through his body as he countered, but before he could land a blow, the man suddenly froze.

    Then, with a choked gasp, he was slammed to the ground.

    His eyes widened in horror as an invisible force bore down on him, pinning him in place. Chen Ren extinguished his lightning and stepped back, realizing what had happened.

    Yalan.

    She had focused her aura solely on the rogue cultivator, and now he was nearly kissing the floor under its weight.

    Taking advantage of the situation, Chen Ren quickly moved to shut the door, ensuring no one outside would see or hear what was happening.

    Yalan stepped forward, stretching out her limbs as if she didn¡¯t just push a large man down. "Who are you to attack someone I swore to protect?" she asked and narrowed her eyes.

    The man''s breath hitched, his pupils contracting as he looked at Yalan and slowly, comprehension dawned on his face. He was in the presence of someone who could end him as easily as stepping on an ant.

    His mouth opened and closed soundlessly, panic flickering in his eyes.

    Chen Ren glanced at Yalan and gestured for her to ease the pressure. A moment later, the weight bearing down on the man lessened, allowing his shoulders to relax slightly. But he still remained on his knees, clearly shaken.

    He looked up at them, swallowing hard before speaking. "A meridian expansion realm master¡­" he muttered, almost as if confirming it to himself.

    Chen Ren crossed his arms. "At least your qi perception is decent. Now, will you tell me what you''re doing here? And why did you suddenly attack me?"

    The man gulped, his eyes shifting to something between regret and fear. He looked like someone who had stepped into a place he never should have entered.

    "My name is Hong Yi," he said at last. "I''ve been staying in the nearby Grassfield Village for a few months now. When I heard about a sect recruiting mortals and conducting aptitude tests, I got curious. Especially because I had never heard its name before."

    He hesitated before continuing. "I¡­ I thought it might be a demonic sect trying to gather sacrifices. Please, forgive me. I hadn''t expected that such a powerful master beast would be behind it."

    Chen Ren raised an eyebrow. "Now you know. But I do wonder if you''re lying."

    Hong Yi shook his head frantically. "No, no! I swear, I¡¯ve told you the truth!"

    Chen Ren studied the man in silence, his sharp gaze searching for any trace of falsehood. Hong Yi fidgeted under the scrutiny, but his fear was genuine¡ªor at least, he wasn¡¯t putting on an act.

    After a moment, Chen Ren nodded toward Yalan.

    She immediately withdrew her aura, and Hong Yi nearly collapsed, sucking in a deep breath as if he had just escaped the jaws of death. Relief washed over his face, but before he could move from his kneeling position, Chen Ren spoke.

    "You can¡¯t leave yet," he said calmly. "I¡¯m still curious about a few things, and it would be in your best interest to tell the truth."

    Hong Yi stiffened but nodded quickly.

    Chen Ren leaned against the chair "So, what are you doing in the village? With your spirit roots, I doubt you¡¯re just some wandering rogue cultivator."

    The man gulped, hesitation flickering in his eyes. "My situation is¡­ complicated."

    Chen Ren gave him a dry look. "You¡¯re not the only one with a complicated situation here. Just talk."

    A tense silence followed before Hong Yi finally sighed in defeat. "I¡¯m a deserter from the Blood Iron Sect."

    Yalan¡¯s eyes narrowed. "A deserter? Why did you run away?"

    Hong Yi hesitated, his fists clenching as if weighing whether to reveal the truth or not. But after a moment, he seemed to realize that hiding anything would only make things worse.

    His shoulders slumped, and he spoke.

    "It¡¯s because I gained access to a meridian expansion realm cultivator¡¯s inheritance."

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyebrows rose slightly, and even Yalan cast a surprise glance at him.

    But neither interrupted, letting the man continue.

    "It wasn¡¯t an offensive technique, a cultivation manual, or even an artifact," Hong Yi added bitterly. "It¡¯s¡­ not something most cultivators would even have any use for."

    Chen Ren noted the way Hong Yi¡¯s hands curled slightly, the way his voice carried a trace of wariness¡ªhe clearly thought they were going to take the inheritance from him. Maybe that was exactly what had happened in his sect.

    Still, Chen Ren ignored those thoughts for now and asked the important question.

    "What kind of inheritance was it?"

    Hong Yi took a deep breath before answering. "The inheritance of a Puppet Master."

    Chen Ren stilled. "Puppet Master¡­" he muttered under his breath.

    The term stirred a distant memory¡ªone of the many books he had read after coming to this world. It had been a small mention, barely a footnote, but he recalled the basics. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Puppets were another cultivation discipline, a rare and esoteric path that involved crafting constructs and fusing a part of oneself with them to establish control. It was an art that required precision, resources, and deep knowledge of formations.

    It was a rare art¡ªrarer than all three disciplines Chen Ren was currently learning. Puppet Masters weren¡¯t just uncommon; they were almost myths, their techniques scattered and lost across generations.

    And now, there was one kneeling right in front of him.

    As he mused on this, Hong Yi continued.

    "I found it during one of my adventures, deep beneath the caves of my sect. I don''t know how, but the sect master found out about it soon after." His voice turned bitter. "At first, he was disappointed. My sect is a purely martial sect¡ªthey only house alchemists alongside their martial cultivators. A Puppet Master had no place among them."

    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    He let out a dry chuckle. "But even then, it was still a novelty. Something unique. So for a while, I was treated well. They made me a core disciple and showered me with resources."

    Yalan narrowed her eyes. "What changed?"

    Hong Yi frowned, as if thinking back to something unpleasant. Then, after a moment, he exhaled.

    "One of the elders¡­ he didn¡¯t like my sudden rise. So he reached out to an Established sect far in the south of the empire¡ªone that already had Puppet Masters among their ranks." His voice grew darker. "And they made an offer. They promised my sect a fortune in resources, enough to help the sect master break through to the next realm¡­ in exchange for my inheritance."

    Chen Ren tensed, realising what might have happened. "But the inheritance you received isn¡¯t something tangible, is it?"

    Hong Yi gave a hollow smile. "No. It¡¯s attached to my soul. It was knowledge¡ªdeep knowledge passed directly into my mind. I couldn¡¯t just hand it over like an artifact or a scroll."

    His hands clenched into fists. "So they gave me two options. Either I submit myself to the sect, allow them to strip every piece of knowledge from my mind, or they kill me and use an artifact to harvest my soul for it."

    Chen Ren¡¯s breath hitched, and his eyes darted toward Yalan.

    "Do righteous sects even have things like soul-harvesting artifacts?"

    "Some do. The line between so-called righteous and demonic practices is thin. And from what he''s telling us, it sounds like his sect was willing to dispose of him for the sake of their leader¡¯s breakthrough,¡± Yalan answered.

    Hong Yi nodded grimly. "That¡¯s why I ran. The moment I learned of their plan, I escaped as far as I could and hid myself in here, posing as an ordinary traveler. I barely leave my house, fearing that my cover might be blown."

    He let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. "The only reason I came out today was because I thought you all were demonic cultivators. I figured I had to act before you did something terrible." He looked down. "I¡¯m sorry for that."

    Chen Ren barely heard him. His mind was racing.

    A soul inheritance¡ªespecially one related to puppetry. That was a special kind of power. Power that intrigued him. He could think of countless cultivators who would go to any lengths for such an inheritance, not only because of the art of puppet making, but simply because it was a meridian expansion realm inheritance.

    Those were far and few between in the whole empire. And judging by Hong Yi¡¯s expression¡ªthe way he sat there, stiff and resigned¡ªhe fully expected to die here.

    Fortunately for him, Chen Ren wasn¡¯t one to force things.

    His gaze shifted to Yalan, and with a mere thought, he mentally asked,

    Her response came almost instantly.

    Chen Ren nodded slightly.

    Yalan¡¯s voice turned dry.

    Chen Ren admitted,

    He turned his attention back to Hong Yi.

    "Your situation seems like a bad one to be in."

    The man let out a short, humorless laugh. "I know. I live in constant fear of dying. The only thing I can do is work on my cultivation and my puppets¡ªmake sure I¡¯m strong enough to face any trouble that comes my way. Or at least stall enough to run away again."

    Chen Ren crossed his arms. "I don¡¯t think that¡¯s the only thing you can do."

    Hong Yi frowned. "What else can I do?"

    "Join my sect."

    The man¡¯s eyes widened slightly, but before he could respond, Chen Ren continued.

    "I know we¡¯re new, and you have your reservations. But if you join us, we wouldn¡¯t give you away to anyone. And we¡¯d make sure your rights are prioritized."

    Even after hearing that, Hong Yi still didn¡¯t look convinced. Chen Ren understood why.

    The place barely resembled a proper sect. There were no grand halls, no established reputation¡ªonly Yalan¡¯s presence might make it seem legitimate. To Hong Yi, it was probably just another risk. And not a good one at that.

    After a moment, the man exhaled. "I need time to think about it."

    Chen Ren had expected it. No one in their right mind, and had such risk and powers would be convinced that easily.

    He nodded before pausing as another idea came to his mind. ¡°How about this? In two days, come back here, and I¡¯ll show you why you should join my sect. Bring your puppet too¡ªI¡¯d love to see it."

    Hong Yi hesitated before finally nodding, though it was clear he was simply agreeing due to fear of dying.

    Yalan, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke, her voice calm yet carrying an unmistakable weight.

    "And don¡¯t try to run away," she said.

    Hong Yi flinched.

    "We¡¯re not going to contact your former sect or anything. If we wanted to do that, we wouldn¡¯t be letting you go right now." Her eyes narrowed. "But if you try to run, just know that tracking you down would be easy for me."

    Hong Yi swallowed hard. "I won¡¯t, Master¡ª"

    Yalan cut him off. "Yalan."

    "...Thank you, Master Yalan," he said quickly, bowing. "Thank you for not killing me."

    Then, without another word, he hurried away.

    Chen Ren watched Hong Yi disappear through the door, then chuckled. "That''s a strange way of saying goodbye."

    Yalan turned to him, unimpressed. "Are you really planning to pick a fight with an Established sect? They won¡¯t let go of the inheritance so easily."

    Chen Ren¡¯s amusement faded as he met her gaze. He knew she was right.

    As a sect master, he needed to choose his battles wisely. A single misstep, and his sect could be crushed before it even had the chance to grow. But at the same time, he wasn¡¯t someone who turned away from an opportunity just because it was risky¡ªespecially not when it had come knocking on his door without him even searching for it.

    Still, caution was necessary.

    "I need to understand the man more first," Chen Ren said. "I¡¯m not planning on starting a war with a sect. But I want him in the sect. Puppet Masters are rare, and having that kind of power in our ranks would help solve a lot of our combat power issues."

    He crossed his arms. "That being said, I¡¯ll only recruit him if I can make sure his former sect won¡¯t come after us. That¡¯s why I gave him two days. I need to understand his situation better before making a move."

    Yalan studied him for a moment before shrugging. "Whatever. At least we¡¯ve found more good prospect for the sect. Let¡¯s hope there are more."

    Chen Ren smirked. "Let¡¯s see."

    The rest of the day, they continued their search, but it was fruitless.

    They didn¡¯t find anyone worth taking in¡ªneither mortals nor cultivators. Some had potential, but their mindsets or circumstances weren¡¯t a good fit for the sect. Others simply lacked talent or drive.

    Still, Chen Ren didn¡¯t lose hope. There were plenty of people left to evaluate, and with time, he was confident they¡¯d find more promising individuals.

    For now, they decided to resume the tests and interviews tomorrow.

    ***

    Although the same problems persisted the next day¡ªpeople lacking even basic literacy, some showing no real ambition for growth¡ªChen Ren managed to find a few individuals who seemed like they would genuinely stick with the sect. They weren¡¯t necessarily the strongest or the smartest, but they had something else: determination. And in the long run, that was more valuable than raw talent alone.

    But the real surprise came toward the end of the day.

    Among the last few villagers he tested was a young man¡ªjust eighteen years old, with the rough hands and sun-darkened skin of a farmer. His name was Luo Heng, and up until this moment, he had lived his entire life believing that his fate was tied to the soil beneath his feet. He had never once imagined himself as a cultivator.

    Yet, when Chen Ren examined him, he found that the boy had nineteen spirit roots. A far cry from the prodigies of great sects, but to Chen Ren, who was building a foundation from nothing, it was still potential. And potential was worth nurturing.

    The moment Luo Heng realized what this meant, his entire face lit up in awe and disbelief. ¡°I¡­ I can cultivate?¡± he asked, almost afraid to believe it.

    Chen Ren smiled. ¡°You tell me. Do you want to cultivate?¡±

    ¡°Yes! Yes, I do!¡± Luo Heng said immediately, his voice shaking with excitement.

    Even if the boy wasn¡¯t literate, even if he lacked any prior training, enthusiasm like that couldn¡¯t be ignored with his spirit roots. Chen Ren decided to take him in.

    With that, recruitment was finally complete.

    Chen Ren wasted no time in spreading the news. He sent word through the Chief Muyang, announcing the names of those who had been accepted. Some would serve in different capacities within the sect, but all of them were now part of it.

    And the very next day, he gathered them all for their initiation ceremony¡ªnot just to welcome them, but to teach them something far more important.

    A lesson that most sects ignored.

    A lesson about the Dao¡ªand why their sect would not focus solely on martial strength alone.

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

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    Read 15 chapters ahead here.

 Chapter 65: A lesson on Dao

    Chen Ren stood in one of the biggest rooms he could find in the buildings he now owned. The space was large, its high ceiling, and the emptiness after the cleanup making voices echo slightly, and in front of him stood every new recruit of the Divine Coin Sect.

    Although he had expected a decent number of people to join, he was still pleasantly surprised¡ªtwelve members from the nearby villages.

    Zushi was the first among them. She stood near the front, looking calm but attentive. Her eyes were plastered on Chen Ren, and next to her was Luo Heng, the young man who¡¯d no idea that he was a cultivator, and had lived his entire life as a farmer.

    Then there was Tao Li, a man in his mid thirties who was partially blind but had the wits of someone who¡¯s twice his age. He had answered every question effortlessly, but precisely¡ªthe answers fitting to each question. On the back sat the two brothers, Zi Wen and Zi Han, looking up at him and whispering something to each other.

    And there was also Hong Yi puppet cultivator who hadn''t joined the sect yet, but had come to meet him just as their arrangement. He kept his distance, as if unsure whether to stay or leave. Chen Ren hadn¡¯t seen his puppet anywhere, but at least the man had come. That was a good sign. Convincing him to fully join would take work, but he saw potential.

    Apart from these people, the rest of the men and women fit his standards enough to be taken inside. In a way, it was good to find literate people. That alone made things easier. But what excited him the most were the cultivators among them.

    On the side stood his original members¡ªXiulan, Yalan, the kids, and Anji.

    Taking a deep breath, he swept his gaze around the room for the final time and spoke.

    ¡°Everyone, I would like to first congratulate you on joining the Divine Coin Sect. All of you have shown qualities like grit, determination, good aptitude, and intelligence during our interviews. And I can promise you this¡ªyou won¡¯t regret your choice.¡±

    The mortal members straightened, excitement flickering in their eyes. Among the cultivators, only Luo Heng looked enthusiastic. The other two remained unreadable, their expressions giving away nothing.

    Chen Ren continued. ¡°Unlike other sects, we do not focus solely on martial arts. Our sect is built on business, trade, and wealth. But make no mistake¡ªwe will not neglect the path of cultivation. Strength and wisdom go hand in hand, and this sect will be a place where both flourish. No one will be cast aside based on their background, status, or cultivation. Everyone has a role, and everyone will benefit.¡±

    He explained further, speaking of the sect¡¯s future, the opportunities it would create, and the strength they would build¡ªnot through blind ambition, but through strategy, discipline, and profit.

    When he finally asked, ¡°Are there any questions?¡± Silence hung in the air for a moment. Some recruits hesitated, glancing at each other.

    Then Zushi stepped forward. ¡°Sect Leader,¡± she said, ¡°our sect has both mortals and cultivators standing as equals. But does that mean we, the mortals, will also learn martial arts like them?¡±

    Chen Ren met Zushi¡¯s gaze and nodded. ¡°The primary duty of mortals in the sect will be different. Your focus will be on sales, marketing, and delivery.¡± He paused, scanning their faces for any hint of hesitation. ¡°The Divine Coin Sect already has its hands in a few businesses, and as we expand, you¡¯ll be the ones managing them.¡±

    Some of the mortal recruits looked at each other, murmuring.

    ¡°But,¡± Chen Ren continued, ¡°that doesn¡¯t mean you won¡¯t be trained. Strength is important in all walks of life. You¡¯ll be required to do basic physical training every day. More than that, you¡¯ll learn about cultivators¡ªtheir needs, their goods, and their methods. In the future, we¡¯ll be selling to them, so understanding their world will be necessary.¡±

    That got their attention. Zushi nodded, her small eyes flashing with understanding, while Tao Li stroked his chin in thought.

    ¡°And after some time,¡± Chen Ren added, ¡°there will be special training for all mortals.¡±

    That made a few of them straighten in interest.

    Han Fei, a herbalist who¡¯d been in the same stream for generations raised a hand. Chen Ren remembered his face well due to the bushy eyebrows he had. ¡°What kind of training?¡±

    Chen Ren only smiled. ¡°You¡¯ll know when the time comes.¡±

    He let that settle before shifting his gaze toward the cultivators standing at the back. Zi Wen looked intrigued, Hong Yi¡¯s expression was unreadable like usual, and Luo Heng¨Cthe youngster among the group-had an openly curious expression on his face.

    ¡°Mortals will focus on sales,¡± Chen Ren said, ¡°but cultivators will be more involved in production. That means learning disciplines like alchemy, forging, and artifact crafting.¡± He let the words sink in before continuing. ¡°There won¡¯t be any force. You¡¯ll be free to learn as you choose. But you will also be required for protection when necessary. Beyond that, you¡¯ll have time to cultivate and walk your own Dao. The sect will support you in that.¡±

    Zi Han crossed his arms, tilting his head. ¡°How will the sect help?¡± he asked. ¡°Do we have a lot of resources¡ªpills, treasures, things like that? And what about masters? If we¡¯re learning disciplines, who will teach us?¡±

    Chen Ren took a slow breath. ¡°Our sect is new. Right now, we don¡¯t have a stockpile of resources, but we will. As we grow wealthier, we¡¯ll buy what¡¯s needed¡ªpills, materials, manuals.¡±

    Zi Han gave a small nod at that, but his eyes still held some doubt.

    ¡°As for masters,¡± Chen Ren continued. ¡°We have books on various disciplines. They¡¯ll serve as a foundation. And in time, we¡¯ll attract more cultivators who can teach. But resources and masters aren¡¯t the only things that help a cultivator grow.¡±

    At that, Zi Wen finally spoke. ¡°What else is there?¡± His voice was deep and calm. ¡°What kind of support can you offer besides resources?¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze settled on him. ¡°Insights into your Dao.¡±

    Zi Wen frowned slightly, but before he could ask more, his expression shifted, as if another thought had struck him. He hesitated, then finally spoke again.

    ¡°I apologize if this is disrespectful, Sect Leader,¡± he said, carefully measuring his words. ¡°But I would like to know¡ªwho is the strongest cultivator in our sect?¡± His sharp eyes met Chen Ren¡¯s. ¡°I know you are the sect leader, but¡ª¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯m only in the qi refinement realm, right?¡± he said, finishing Zi Wen¡¯s unspoken thoughts. ¡°You¡¯re worried about the safety of the sect.¡±

    Zi Wen nodded, but his eyes revealed a trace of concern. It was a question that probably rang in everyone¡¯s mind but they refused to speak up.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about that,¡± Chen Ren continued. ¡°We have a sect guardian among our ranks¡ªa meridian expansion realm cultivator, one of the strongest beings in the Kalian Empire. She¡¯ll also be available to help with martial training if you have any problems.¡±

    The words hung in the air for a moment before realization dawned on Zi Wen. His eyes widened. ¡°A meridian expansion master?¡± he asked.

    Someone from the group gasped out loud at that. But Chen Ren maintained his calm demeanor.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Chen Ren nodded. ¡°She¡¯s the protector of our sect. As long as she¡¯s here, you don¡¯t have to worry about our safety.¡±

    Zi Wen slowly exhaled, processing the information before giving a firm nod. ¡°I see.¡±

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    From the side, Yalan smirked, clearly enjoying the reaction. The other recruits stirred, excitement buzzing among them. Even the mortals¡ªdespite not fully grasping the weight of the words¡ªcould tell this was significant.

    Only one person remained quiet. The puppet cultivator, Hong Yi. His gaze flickered toward Yalan, lips pressing into a thin line, clearly remembering their interaction.

    Chen Ren let the moment settle before shifting the conversation. ¡°Any more questions for now?¡±

    Silence. A few hesitant glances, but no one spoke up.

    Satisfied, he moved forward. ¡°Earlier, you asked what kind of insights the sect could give you. Let¡¯s talk about that.¡± His tone shifted, drawing their full attention. ¡°These insights will be about the different types of Dao¡ªbecause the Martial Dao isn¡¯t the only path.¡±

    A few of the mortals looked puzzled, while the cultivators narrowed their eyes in thought.

    ¡°I know some of you may find this confusing,¡± Chen Ren admitted. ¡°So let¡¯s put it simply. Think of Dao as your path¡ªthe one you want to walk, the foundation your purpose is built around.¡±

    He paused, scanning the room to make sure they were following. The mortals exchanged uncertain glances, but Zushi seemed to grasp it first, nodding in understanding.

    ¡°Most sects in the empire focus on a singular Dao¡ªthe Martial Dao,¡± Chen Ren continued. ¡°Some sects and clans specialize in variations of it, like the Dao of the Sword, the Dao of the Spear, and similar martial paths. Others center around professions like alchemy or blacksmithing.¡±

    He let the words sink in before raising a question of his own. ¡°But are those the only Daos in the world?¡±

    Chen Ren let his question linger in the air, watching the cultivators carefully. It was the puppet cultivator who broke the silence first.

    ¡°You¡¯re talking about esoteric daos,¡± Hong Yi said.

    A pleased smile tugged at Chen Ren¡¯s lips. ¡°Exactly,¡± he said. ¡°These are the rare Daos¡ªnot many cultivators walk upon them, but those who do are considered strong simply because of how unpredictable they can be.¡± His gaze swept across the group, lingering on the ones who had been the most skeptical. ¡°Divine Coin Sect is also based on such a Dao¡ªthe Dao of Money.¡±

    A murmur spread through the group, some looking confused while others appeared intrigued. Yalan¡¯s smirk widened slightly, clearly already aware of where this was going.

    ¡°Not only that, but our sect is going to specialize in these esoteric Daos. We will encourage every disciple to think deeply about their own path. Why?. Because not only is it the fastest way to reach the top, but it also makes the issue of low spirit roots meaningless.¡±

    Zi Wen¡¯s brows furrowed, his sharp mind latching onto the statement. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t get it.¡±

    One of the mortals spoke up. Chen Ren ignored the mortal and focused on Zi Wen.

    ¡°I knew you¡¯d be interested.¡± He let the anticipation build for a moment before speaking again. ¡°You already know how many spirit roots I have, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Zi Wen hesitated before nodding. ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°And yet,¡± Chen Ren continued, ¡°I¡¯ve reached the qi refinement realm in just the last few months¡ªfrom third star body forging realm.¡±

    Zi Wen¡¯s expression tightened as he put the pieces together. ¡°It was because you focused on your Dao of Money,¡± he murmured.

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Chen Ren confirmed. ¡°I focused on my Dao, pursued accomplishments within it, and paired it with the right amount of insight. You can do the same. And if you do, then spirit roots won¡¯t matter anymore.¡±

    Chen Ren had talked about this extensively with Yalan. Cultivation, at its core, was about taking in the energy of the world and refining it within oneself. That much was undeniable. But if one walked their Dao, the energy would begin to move as if it had a mind of its own, aligning with the cultivator¡¯s path and empowering them naturally. It took the issue of spirit roots out of the game completely.

    It was no different from how a sword cultivator¡¯s strength increased not just by absorbing Qi but by mastering sword techniques, refining his understanding of the blade, and deepening his connection to it. A blacksmith cultivator didn¡¯t rely solely on Qi intake¡ªhis cultivation progressed as he forged better and better weapons, strengthening his Dao of the Forge with each success.

    As Chen Ren was lost in thought, Hong Yi spoke again. ¡°Even if what you say makes sense, Sect Leader¡­ esoteric Daos are called esoteric for a reason. They¡¯re rare. Walking such a path and gaining insights into them is extremely difficult. Not many pursue these paths for a reason.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze flicked to him, a knowing glint in his eyes. ¡°Why do you think that is?¡± he asked. ¡°Why are there so few esoteric Dao cultivators?¡±

    Hong Yi frowned, arms crossing as he mulled over the question. Seconds passed. Then more. In the end, he let out a quiet breath. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s voice was steady as he answered. ¡°It¡¯s because our cultivation structure is inherently flawed.¡±

    That made a few people straighten up, their attention sharpening.

    ¡°Instead of letting a cultivator choose their own path, they are pushed toward the martial path¡ªbecause to most people, that is the only way to create powerful cultivators,¡± Chen Ren continued. ¡°Even in sects that allow disciples to learn alchemy, forging, or arrays, those disciplines are always seen as secondary to the Martial Dao. And by the time a cultivator has advanced too far on that path, it becomes nearly impossible for them to change their Dao.¡± S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    The room was silent for a long moment. Some looked contemplative, others seemed uncertain, and a few had eyes gleaming with realization.

    ¡°But what if we didn¡¯t follow that structure?¡±

    Chen Ren exhaled slowly. This had been something that he¡¯d spoken with Yalan, and even she¡¯d agreed throughout their conversations.

    The whole system was flawed. In a way, it wasn¡¯t different from how kids who were born and raised in Asian countries were being forced into STEM fields they had no passion for. Like how a child was being pushed into studying alchemy in this world when their heart lies with arrays. Or being forced into martial cultivation when they have a natural talent for healing.

    ¡°And unlike those children who can change careers later, cultivation isn¡¯t so forgiving. Once a cultivator goes too far down a path, it¡¯s nearly impossible to turn back. That¡¯s why esoteric Dao cultivators are so rare. Most never get the chance to walk their true path. And the few who do? They tend to be rogues, because no sect would support them.¡±

    At his words, he saw different reactions from the group. Anji stood to the side, eyes narrowed in deep thought. Luo Heng mirrored the expression, as if trying to make sense of it all. Zi Wen and Hong Yi however, seemed more analytical, searching him for any deception in his words.

    They found none.

    Chen Ren could see the shift in their eyes, the slight change in how they looked at him. It wasn¡¯t trust, not yet, but it was something close.

    Ignoring their reactions, he moved on. ¡°And to prove my point, let me tell you something¡ªthere¡¯s already an esoteric Dao cultivator in this room besides me.¡±

    That got their attention. Eyes widened. Some glanced around, looking at each other. Even the mortals, who didn¡¯t fully grasp cultivation, perked up in curiosity.

    Chen Ren smirked. Then he raised a hand and pointed directly at Zi Wen.

    ¡°It¡¯s you.¡±

    Zi Wen blinked. ¡°Me?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    A stunned silence. Then Zi Wen frowned. ¡°How? How is it me¡±

    Chen Ren tilted his head. ¡°You might not have realized it yet, but you¡¯ve unconsciously walked onto the Dao of Taming. You just haven¡¯t aligned with it yet, which is why you haven¡¯t gained any benefits from it.¡±

    Zi Wen¡¯s expression flickered. ¡°Because of Little Yuze?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Beasts aren¡¯t supposed to be easily tamed. Even if you got him as a whelp, the connection between you two, the way he listens to you¡ªit all points toward something much deeper than simple training. In the texts I¡¯ve read, this is a sign of someone on the Dao of Taming.¡±

    Zi Wen looked down, visibly processing the revelation. Some of the others exchanged looks. A murmur ran through the group.

    He crossed his arms and waited, giving the man some time to process it. Zi Wen remained silent, his brows furrowed in deep contemplation. Chen Ren could tell that he was turning the idea over in his head, trying to grasp what it truly meant to walk a Dao that wasn¡¯t tied to raw martial strength. But he had no doubt¡ªgiven enough time, Zi Wen would connect with his path.

    Letting Zi Wen dwell in his thoughts, he turned to the rest of the group. His gaze swept across them, taking in their mixed expressions of curiosity, excitement, and apprehension.

    ¡°I implore all of you to think carefully about your Dao,¡± he said. ¡°It doesn¡¯t have to be a martial one. You are all free to walk and learn any path that resonates with you. Even those of you who are mortals.¡±

    A few of the non-cultivators blinked in surprise, as if they hadn¡¯t expected to be included in such a statement.

    ¡°You may not be able to perform feats like a cultivator,¡± Chen Ren continued, ¡°but having a path, a purpose that aligns with who you are, will still allow you to achieve great things. Do you understand?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Sect Leader!¡± came the resounding reply.

    Chen Ren nodded in satisfaction.

    His gaze shifted towards Hong Yi. The man was still lost in thought, his fingers twitching slightly as if adjusting invisible strings. Chen Ren had initially suspected him to be reluctant about joining, but now¡­ now he seemed to be taking this seriously. That was good. That was what he needed.

    But still, there were things that needed to be settled.

    Before he could move forward with his plans, he needed to deal with this man. Learn more about him. Decide whether he was truly someone who could be trusted in the sect¡¯s ranks.

    And after that?

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips curled slightly.

    Then he could finally begin production on his next creations.

    The ones that would sweep across the empire like a storm. The ones that would carve his name into history. It would be the prelude before dominating the immortal market.

    ***

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 Chapter 66: Puppets and beer

    Once the initiation class was over, Chen Ren sent everyone off.

    Xiulan took charge of the mortals, leading them to another area where she would explain more about the sect¡ªwhat they would do, what their duties were, and what they would learn.

    Unlike normal sects, where disciples followed a master and learned directly from them, the Divine Coin Sect was different. It would teach through structured lessons, and everyone had to take part.

    The lessons covered many things. Sales techniques that Chen Ren had written down, reading and writing, and even more math lessons than they expected. He didn''t want his disciples getting tricked just because they didn¡¯t know how numbers worked. He had already gone over all of this with Xiulan, and she was more than capable of handling it as the sect manager.

    As for the cultivators, he kept them back a little longer. Instead of rushing them straight into training, he wanted them to think carefully about their path. What did they want to pursue? What was their Dao?

    Of course, a part of this was because Chen Ren didn¡¯t actually have any cultivation manuals to give them. The only one he had was the Chen clan''s manual [Thunderstorm Sutra], and according to Yalan, none of them had lightning-aspected spiritual roots.

    Zi Wen was fine¡ªhe still had his old manual from his previous sect, and Yalan could probably help him improve it. But Luo Heng needed a new one, and that was a problem Chen Ren would have to deal with soon.

    After speaking with both of them, he turned to Hong Yi. Unlike the others, he wasn¡¯t officially part of the sect yet. But if he could get him to join the sect, it would mean increasing the sect''s average strength by a lot, excluding Yalan of course.

    Chen Ren led him to the back of the building, toward a small clearing just before the mountains. Hong Yi silently followed him.

    There, with the wind rustling the trees, he finally spoke.

    ¡°So? What did you think of the lecture?¡±

    Hong Yi looked at him, clearly rethinking about it. Then, after a moment, he said, ¡°It was... interesting.¡±

    He paused, glancing at the sect buildings before looking back at Chen Ren.

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard of sects with different branches, each focused on their own disciplines. But I¡¯ve never heard of one focused on money.¡±

    Hong Yi paused once again, as if gathering his thoughts. Then, he spoke. "As for the talk on Dao... I gained good insight from it. I think it¡¯s something I¡¯ve been thinking about for a while now."

    Chen Ren studied him before asking, "You follow the Martial Dao, right?"

    Hong Yi nodded. "Yes. I¡¯ve followed it for the last three years, ever since I started cultivating. For a long time, it felt like my path. But... since I got the inheritance, I feel like something is clashing with it." He clenched his fists, frustration showing on his face. "I¡¯m not improving as fast as I should. I don¡¯t practice my martial arts much anymore. I only focus on my puppets. Because of that... I¡¯m falling behind in the Martial Dao." His voice lowered. "And I¡¯ve started to question if it¡¯s truly the way for me."

    Chen Ren crossed his arms, watching him carefully. "You¡¯re still young. You haven¡¯t gone too far into cultivation yet. I think you can still change to the path you truly wish to walk on." He let the words settle before continuing. "In the end, it¡¯s more philosophical than anything. It¡¯s in your mind. Your Dao has to align with what you want. If you can do that, I believe you¡¯ll be fine."

    For a moment, there was only silence. The wind whispered through the trees. The boulder nearby stood still, unmoving, as if it had been there forever. The air was peaceful, untouched by doubt or hesitation.

    Chen Ren looked around before turning back to Hong Yi. "I don¡¯t see your puppets. I thought I told you to bring them."

    Hong Yi blinked. "I brought them."

    "Then where¡ª"

    Before Chen Ren could finish, Hong Yi whistled. A sharp, clear sound cut through the air.

    Chen Ren frowned, wondering what he was doing. Then, he noticed movement in the mountain.

    A figure leaped out and landed lightly on the ground.

    It was wooden. Not taller than three feet. Humanoid. Its body was shaped like a person, but its features were simple. Two eye-like shapes were carved into its face, but there was no mouth, no nose. It almost looked like a wooden statue.

    Chen Ren raised an eyebrow.

    "I hid it in the mountain," Hong Yi admitted. "I didn¡¯t want to be seen with it."

    Chen Ren looked at the puppet then back to him. "How does it work?"

    "It¡¯s... hard to explain," Hong Yi said. He walked over to the puppet and placed a hand on its shoulder. "It¡¯s like a soul link between me and it. The puppet understands basic commands. I made them respond to whistles since I was always good with them. And because it¡¯s hard for enemies to figure out what I¡¯m doing."

    Chen Ren nodded slowly. "So it¡¯s a bit like programming."

    Hong Yi tilted his head. "Programming?"

    Chen Ren thought for a moment. How was he supposed to explain this?

    Finally, he said, "Think of it like giving someone commands, but in a really specific way. Each command makes for a specific effect. If you want to program it to fight, you will do a specific command. If you want it to walk, you will do a specific command. Like that." He frowned. "I don¡¯t know how to explain it further, but... it¡¯s like that."

    Hong Yi nodded slowly. "I believe I get the gist of it."

    Chen Ren smiled before pointing at the puppet once again. "How strong are they?"

    Hong Yi smirked. Instead of answering, he stepped back and whistled again.

    The wooden puppet moved. Its joints clicked slightly, but its steps were steady. It walked towards the boulder at the center of the clearing, raised its fist, and punched.

    A deep dent appeared in the stone.

    Chen Ren¡¯s brows lifted in surprise.

    Without hesitation, the puppet drew back its arm and struck again. This time, the entire boulder cracked and crumbled into chunks.

    Chen Ren blinked.

    Hong Yi looked proud. "This one is in the fifth star of the body forging realm. I haven¡¯t been able to ¡®program¡¯ martial techniques into them yet, but they¡¯re still formidable."

    Chen Ren nodded. They were much stronger than he¡¯d expected. "I can see that." He glanced at Hong Yi. "How many do you have?"

    Hong Yi hesitated. He pressed his lips together, looking as if he didn¡¯t want to reveal the number. After a moment, he sighed. "...Twelve right now. I¡¯ve hidden them in the mountains, mostly. All of them range from the third to fifth star of body forging."

    Chen Ren hummed. That was more than he expected.

    "Can you make them stronger?" he asked.

    "Yes," Hong Yi said immediately. "But it depends on materials. Spirit wood is especially important. If I want them to have elemental affinities and be smarter, I¡¯d need more resources¡ªand someone with knowledge of arrays and runic symbols."

    Chen Ren raised a brow. "Arrays?"

    Hong Yi nodded. "Apparently, I can engrave arrays into their cores. If I place elemental beads around the array, they can use elemental techniques." He frowned slightly. "It¡¯s a bit hard to describe. Even harder to do."

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    Chen Ren stayed quiet, his mind already spinning with possibilities.

    Puppets like these¡­ They wouldn¡¯t just be useful for defending the sect. He could send them with his sales teams to different cities when they moved to expand. The Kalian Empire was a dangerous place. Beasts roamed freely alongside bandits, and traveling long distances wasn¡¯t something ordinary people did. Even merchants had to hire guards¡ªsometimes even rogue cultivators at the body forging realm.

    Not just for himself, but for the people too.

    His gaze returned to Hong Yi. "I¡¯m impressed by the puppets. And honestly, I¡¯m impressed by you." He exhaled and said, "So, once again, I¡¯d like to offer you a place in the Divine Coin Sect."

    Hong Yi¡¯s expression shifted. He still looked uncertain. He closed his eyes for a moment, thinking. Chen Ren didn¡¯t know he was holding his breath until the man in front of him opened his eyes. The eyes; they were filled with a ¡®sorry¡¯ to come. He was about to reject the offer again¡ª

    But before he could, Chen Ren spoke.

    "I know your hesitation. You don¡¯t think the Divine Coin Sect will be able to protect you against your former sect." he pursed his lips. "That¡¯s your biggest concern, isn¡¯t it?"

    Hong Yi stiffened. Then, slowly, he nodded.

    Chen Ren smiled slightly. "Then what if I can solve that?"

    Hong Yi''s eyes widened. For a moment, a flicker of hope crossed his face¡ªbut it was quickly replaced by doubt. He shook his head, concern evident in his gaze.

    "I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll work," he muttered. "The sect leader of Blood Iron Sect himself is a meridian expansion realm cultivator and Master Yalan might be able to deal with him, but there''s hundreds of cultivators under him."

    Chen Ren shook his head. "No, I don¡¯t plan on asking Yalan to negotiate with them or protect you." His expression turned serious. "I know their manpower is too much for us to handle head-on."

    Hong Yi frowned. "Then what¡ª?"

    Chen Ren raised a hand. "I¡¯ll tell you soon. I¡¯m still fine-tuning the plan. But if I manage to do it, will you join the Divine Coin Sect?"

    There was no hesitation in Hong Yi¡¯s response. "If you can do it, I¡¯ll happily join¡ªif my inheritance stays with me."

    Chen Ren smirked. "It will. I wouldn¡¯t ask for something that personal." He crossed his arms. "But I¡¯ll need information on your former sect. I¡¯ll be traveling soon.¡±

    Hong Yi raised an eyebrow. "For me?"

    Chen Ren chuckled. "That, and for the next step of Divine Coin Sect¡¯s expansion, basically to set up the supply chain for our next product."

    ***

    Chen Ren wiped the sweat from his brow as he carefully hoisted another earthen pot filled with fermented mash, setting it down near the crude distillation setup he had pieced together. Copper tubing, sealed joints, and a few makeshift condensers lined the back of the house, where he had been experimenting for the past few days.

    As he adjusted one of the tubes leading to a collection container, testing the seal, he heard Yalan¡¯s voice from behind him.

    "So, this is going to be your next big product?"

    He glanced at her, then back at the equipment. "Yes. One thing the Kalian Empire has a massive market for is alcohol. And all the ones we tasted on our trip to this village¡­" He frowned. "They were weak. There¡¯s definitely a gap for something stronger."

    Yalan stepped closer, examining the setup with mild curiosity. "So you''re making this¡ªmoonshine¡ªjust for that reason?"

    "Not just moonshine." Chen Ren grinned. "Homemade cider, bathtub gin, and whatever else I can get working. My father was a big fan of alcohol, so I know a bit about the stronger stuff."

    Yalan didn¡¯t even blink. "So he was an alcoholic."

    Chen Ren let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "Yeah. The local pubs loved him. He was basically their best customer." He paused for a moment as old memories surfaced, but he quickly pushed them away, refocusing on his work.

    He checked the tubing again, watching as the first trickles of liquid began to move through the still. The vapors condensed, dripping steadily into the container he had set up. It wasn¡¯t perfect yet¡ªhe¡¯d have to distill it at least twice to get a high enough concentration¡ªbut it was a start.

    "If this works," he muttered, more to himself than to Yalan, "I¡¯ll start testing rice wine and other variations. If moonshine doesn¡¯t sell well, something else will." He smirked. "But I have a good feeling about this. A little trial and error, and we¡¯ll have something strong enough to shake up the market."

    Chen Ren carefully adjusted the flame beneath the pot, watching as the liquid inside began to simmer. Thin tendrils of vapor curled upward, traveling through the coil of copper tubing toward the collection container. The first clear drops of alcohol began to drip, and he exhaled in satisfaction.

    As he worked, Yalan fell into an unusual silence, watching him like a hawk. And he could tell that the wheels of her brain were spinning.

    "You do know that getting into the alcohol business means more trouble, right? It¡¯s an established market, like you said."

    "I know," Chen Ren replied without hesitation. "And trouble is something that¡¯s going to follow me no matter what I do." He straightened, wiping his hands on his sleeves. "Even then, I don¡¯t plan on fighting other clans for their businesses. I¡¯ll just be the supplier instead of creating my own pubs. I don¡¯t have the money to buy properties for that."

    "Then how do you plan to make money from it?"

    "Once we refine the formula, I¡¯ll travel to form contracts with major pub businesses. Sell it directly to them instead of competing. That¡¯ll be the first step in developing something even bigger¡ªspirit alcohol."

    At that, Yalan actually laughed. "Spirit alcohol? That¡¯s a secret recipe. Only a few sects know how to make it, and even then, it¡¯s not easy."

    Chen Ren shrugged¡ªnot new to this piece of information. "I know. I¡¯ve heard. But that doesn¡¯t mean I won¡¯t try. If I can infuse my qi into these spirits properly, I might be able to figure out the formula myself. When I go back to Cloud Mist City, I¡¯ll ask Qing He about it, too. She might know something."

    "Maybe," Yalan conceded, stretching lazily in the sunlight. "But even if you do get the process down, you¡¯d still need spirit materials. Spirit rice, at the very least. And I don¡¯t see anyone growing that around here."

    Chen Ren exhaled, shaking his head. That was another complication. Every business in this world¡ªespecially those tied to cultivation¡ªwas filled with hurdles. Even the simplest resources required spiritual properties, and that meant they were expensive.

    Pushing the thought aside for now, he turned back to the distillation process, monitoring the slow drip of liquid into the container. But as he worked, his gaze flickered back to Yalan, who sat basking in the sun, seemingly unconcerned with anything at all.

    That reminded him¡ªthere was something he had wanted to ask her.

    Chen Ren wiped his hands again and glanced at Yalan. "By the way, there¡¯s something I need to show you."

    She tilted her head. "What?" S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Reaching into his robes, he pulled out the small egg he had taken from the Soaring Sword Sect¡¯s treasury and handed it to her. "I found this when I was in the sect. The elder let me take it, and said it was a dead egg. Do you think we can make use of it in some way?"

    Yalan took the egg and inspected it carefully, her claws brushing over its surface as she concentrated. After a moment, she hummed. "I don¡¯t know what beast this egg belonged to. A lot of eggs look like this, and it¡¯s really small, so it can¡¯t be from anything huge." She flipped it over using her small paws, eyes narrowing. "It is dead, like the elder told you, but there are some faint traces of qi lingering inside."

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes lit up. "So it might still be useful?"

    "Depends," Yalan said dryly. "Might make for a good breakfast if it¡¯s not poisonous from being dead for so long. You should throw it away."

    Chen Ren sighed as she set the egg down on the grass. He reached over and picked it back up, tucking it back into his robes. "I don¡¯t really want to. Don¡¯t you think it might turn into some hidden treasure or something?"

    Yalan squinted at him. "Why would you think that?"

    "Cultivation logic," he declared. "The way I found it. It was just sitting there in a treasury, untouched amidst far better treasures. Even the elder didn''t know what it was doing there. Everything in my being said that there''s a reason why a dead egg is there. It''s fate basically.¡±

    As he finished the explanation, Yalan stared at him like he was an idiot. She didn¡¯t say anything for a few seconds, and Chen Ren, too, kept staring¡ªwaiting for her to speak her mind.

    ¡°What?¡± he finally asked.

    "I don¡¯t know why you think the world works like that. It really doesn¡¯t."

    Chen Ren opened his mouth to defend himself, but movement caught his attention. His eyes flicked to the distillation setup, where the first proper bowl of alcohol was filling drop by drop. He quickly picked it up, bringing it close to his nose. The scent was sharp and unrefined, and when he took a sip, it burned down his throat in a way that wasn¡¯t entirely pleasant.

    He smacked his lips, frowning. "Needs work."

    Still, he was making progress. With the mortal members in the sect now and the base alcohol being cheap, he was confident that once he got the right formula, he¡¯d be able to build a proper foundation for a brewery. A brewery that could eventually supply the strongest alcohol in the region. The profits would be huge.

    But just as he was thinking that, something moved in the trees beyond the house.

    His head snapped up, and he saw Yalan shift slightly, eyes narrowing as she, too, noticed the movement.

    Chen Ren tensed, glancing at Yalan. "A wild beast?"

    "Maybe," she murmured, eyes scanning the treeline. "Nothing too strong, though. The forest around here doesn¡¯t have many beasts you can¡¯t handle."

    He nodded, keeping his senses sharp. Then, the sound of rustling grass grew louder¡ªsomething was moving fast, weaving through the undergrowth like a darting shadow. Chen Ren barely had time to react before a small head poked out from the foliage. His eyes widened.

    White fur, soft and rustling in the wind covered a small, sleek body. It had large, sharp front teeth, a bushy tail curled slightly at the end, and small claws that looked deceptively delicate. Its eyes, bright, flickered between them before its little nose twitched. The beast resembled a squirrel but had an oddly refined presence, almost as if it was more aware than a normal beast.

    Chen Ren relaxed slightly. "Just a squirrel¡ª"

    Before he could finish, the creature froze, its gaze locking onto the bowl of distilled alcohol in his hand.

    Chen Ren hesitated.

    Then, in a blur of motion, the squirrel bolted forward, a streak of white fur crossing the distance in an instant.

    "Hey!" He barely had time to react before the creature skidded onto the table, stretched up on its hind legs, and¡ªbefore he could pull the bowl away¡ªtook a big sip of the freshly distilled alcohol.

    ***

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 Chapter 67: Whiskey

    A scent wafted through the leaves, slipping past the annoyingly tall trees to enter his nose. The little beast sniffed, ears twitching. He did not know what it was, only that he had to try it.

    The berries and herbs of the wilderness had long ceased to satisfy him. They filled his stomach, but there was no pleasure in them. A great being such as himself deserved more. The large, two-legged creatures who spoke in strange tongues and built their little houses with wood and hay¡ªsurely, they should be serving him, presenting him with offerings worthy of his stature. And yet, they had proven disappointingly unwilling, always offering the same tasteless berries. Over and over. And over.

    He was sick of it.

    So, he moved.

    Through branches, over leaves, past the screeching birds that dared get in his way. He leapt, tumbled through the underbrush, and finally, he arrived.

    A clearing.

    A large pot sat in the middle, strange tubes connected to it, wisps of heat rising into the air. And beside it stood one of the two-legged creatures.

    He eyed him warily. Tall. Just enough broad shoulders to fit his height. His fur¡ªno, his clothes¡ªwere dull, the color of dust and dirt. His mane was dark, tied back, but strands fell over his forehead, messier than the usual ones that walked this land. His black eyes locked onto him, and for a moment, the little beast stiffened.

    Danger.

    It was the same feeling he had felt when he had accidentally stepped into the path of a wolf that roamed the forest, acting as a protector of sorts. A silent weight pressing down, a fleeting thought that he was prey.

    Then, it passed.

    He flicked his tail, shaking the feeling away and turned his gaze. Next to the human sat another creature¡ªnot one of his kind, but close. A feline. A hunter. Not a beast of the wild but not fully tamed either. She basked in the sun, relaxed, yet her sharp amber eyes followed him with interest.

    He cared for neither of them.

    His true target lay just ahead.

    A large bowl, filled to the brim with something that carried that intoxicating scent. Beside it, a smaller one, just as inviting. He sniffed the air again, his blessed tongue already tingling with anticipation.

    He could not stop.

    Food awaited him.

    So he sprinted forward.

    The human¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, but he was too mesmerized by his majestic self to react. A fitting response. Most creatures found themselves stunned when faced with such unparalleled grace.

    The small bowl was close now. The scent¡ªrich, sharp, and unlike anything he had ever tasted¡ªfilled his nose, making his whiskers twitch. He took one last sniff, confirming what he already knew.

    This was it.

    Without hesitation, he plunged in.

    A bitter taste hit his tongue first, but he powered through. His refined palate adjusted swiftly, savoring the complexity of the liquid. He drank and drank, the warmth spreading in his belly, coating his tongue in its novel richness. A deep satisfaction settled in his chest. Finally. Finally, something worthy of him.

    When the bowl was empty, he licked his lips, let out a contented sigh, and patted his stomach with his paws.

    Only then did he glance up at the human.

    The two-legged creature was staring at him, mouth slightly open, looking utterly stunned. The little beast blinked. He didn¡¯t know why. Maybe the human had never witnessed such elegance up close before. Understandable.

    Deciding to break him out of his daze, he scampered forward, stopping at the human¡¯s feet. The large creature crouched, eyes scanning him with some strange intent, before extending a hand.

    Ah. He understood.

    With a dignified leap, he climbed up, perching himself upon the broad shoulder. From here, the view was excellent. The trees stretched out in the distance, the sun bathed the clearing in warmth, and he¡ªhe felt grand. Larger than life.

    He lifted his paws in triumph.

    Yes. Perhaps he had just acquired his first servant.

    As he basked in his glory, the human turned to the feline and muttered, ¡°The squirrel doesn¡¯t seem affected by the alcohol.¡±

    Squirrel?

    His tail bristled.

    He knew many names for his divine species, but "squirrel" was not one of them. How dare the human compare him to those mundane, nut-hoarding pests? He prepared to deliver a righteous smack to the fool¡¯s face when the feline spoke.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a squirrel,¡± she said, her amber eyes gleaming with knowledge. ¡°I believe it¡¯s a lunari. And a male lunari at that. They are rarer than their female counterparts.¡±

    He froze.

    For the first time in his long life¡ªspanning four hundred and sixty nine sunsets¡ªhe was genuinely surprised.

    The feline¡­ could speak?

    Not just understand, as all majestic beings like himself could, but the strange language of the two-legged ones.

    How?

    As he pondered this revelation, the feline spoke again, calmly.

    ¡°I think it¡¯s because it¡¯s a spirit beast. Not really strong. Just Tier 1¡­ and even then, a low Tier 1. But a spirit beast nonetheless.¡±

    A spirit beast? He scoffed internally. Of course, he was a spirit beast. He was more than just some ordinary animal.

    But wait¡ªdid she say low Tier 1?

    His tail twitched in irritation. His fur bristled, standing on end like the spines of an angered porcupine.

    The more he thought about it, the more his anger increased.

    The cat¡¯s voice was calm, almost indifferent, but to his ears, it carried the weight of condescension. His tail flicked once, then again, sharp and agitated. His small claws pressed into the fabric of the human¡¯s shoulder, a silent protest. He was not weak. He was not some lowly creature to be pitied. He was¡ª

    A warmth settled on his head.

    He froze.

    Fingers pressed lightly between his ears, ruffling the fur in slow, rhythmic strokes. A shiver ran down his spine. His first instinct was to swipe the hand away, to remind this human of his place, but¡­ the touch was nice. A deep warmth spread from the top of his head down his back, loosening the tension in his limbs. His tail, which had been flicking angrily, stilled, curling slightly in contentment.

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    He blinked up at the human, who had turned back to the cat. His voice was steady, thoughtful.

    ¡°So, should we keep him? He''s cute.¡±

    The cat gave him another long, unreadable look before flicking her tail.

    ¡°Your choice,¡± she said, stretching out in the sunlight. ¡°Just keep him away from the alcohol, or you¡¯ll never make enough to sell.¡±

    The human hummed, considering, before shifting his gaze back to him. He met his dark eyes¡ªdeep, endless, reflecting something unreadable.

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    ¡°Then I guess I¡¯ll take care of you.¡±

    He said it so simply, like it was already decided. Then the human tilted his head, eyes narrowing in thought. A moment passed.

    ¡°Now, what should I name you?¡±

    The beast opened his mouth, ready to tell this foolish human the name of his majestic lineage¡ª

    Then he paused.

    What¡­ was his name?

    His whole life, through , he had moved through the world nameless, known only by the quiet awe of the lesser creatures and the whispered warnings of those smart enough to recognize his greatness. A name?

    He had never needed one.

    His ears twitched as he studied the human. Well¡­ perhaps he would allow this one to name him. That much, at least, was acceptable for someone who had already proven his worth in head pats.

    The human¡¯s brows furrowed, the same expression that he made when debating between more food or a long nap. His lips parted, then closed. Thoughtful. Calculating. Then, finally, his face brightened, eyes lighting with the satisfaction of someone who had reached a grand conclusion.

    A slow smirk spread across his lips.

    ¡°Whiskey.¡±

    He blinked.

    The human grinned. ¡°Your name will be Whiskey.¡±

    He turned the sound over in his mind, tasting it like a rare berry plucked straight from the branch. Odd. Sharp. Unlike any of the names he had ever heard the big creatures call one another.

    But as he thought about it again and again, something stirred inside him¡ªa strange warmth, something deeper than the alcohol he had just tasted. It was his.

    A name.

    He rolled his shoulders, puffing out his chest, lifting his paws as if announcing his new title to the world.

    Whis Ke.

    Yes.

    From this day forward, his majestic self would be known as Whis Ke. The name given by his newly acquired human servant.

    ***

    Chen Ren hadn¡¯t expected to gain a spirit beast companion while brewing alcohol, but fate had a peculiar sense of humor. The small creature, covered in sleek white fur with a bushy tail that flicked at the slightest provocation, had attached itself to him after downing a full bowl of discarded alcohol. He licked its tiny paws, eyes half-lidded in satisfaction, before climbing up his arm like he had always belonged there.

    Strange little thing. But cute, in an arrogant, self-important way.

    More surprising than its presence, however, was its obsession with alcohol. He sniffed at every jar he opened, jumped onto tables to inspect bubbling liquids, and, if he wasn¡¯t careful, dove headfirst into cups meant for testing. He had to start covering his batches, lest he find the tiny drunk curled up inside a brewing pot again. Still, as long as the lunari kept lapping up failed experiments without complaint, he supposed he earned his keep.

    Whiskey didn¡¯t mind any scraps that he received. And Chen Ren didn¡¯t complain.

    It wasn¡¯t just him the little beast had taken a liking to. Zi Wen had been talking to him more frequently on dao and what it might mean to be a beastmaster and these conversations would mostly happen when Chen Ren would be mid-brew and in one of these talks, Whiskey had realised he found the middle aged cultivator pleasing.

    Whiskey often perched on Zi Wen¡¯s knee, tail curled around his body as he watched the man with critical, beady eyes. Zi Wen, in return, stroked his beard in contemplation. Sometimes, he would completely ignore the spirit beast and continue to talk with Chen Ren about dao and beasts; but throughout, Whiskey would be nearby.

    It showed that Zi Wen was liked by spirit beasts, and his assumption of Dao of Taming was correct. It made Chen Ren hope for the best; hope that the man would choose his Dao and attempt to connect with it soon.

    Then there was Luo Heng, a different sort of visitor. Unlike Zi Wen¡¯s philosophical musings, his curiosity was far more grounded. He asked about cultivation techniques, his life story as someone who had been a cultivator for a long time and how the immortal society worked.

    Through his conversation, he was able to get to know the man better, but one particular frustration gnawed at him¡ªthe fact that his lightning cultivation manual was utterly useless for him.

    It was because the man''s spirit roots were earth-aspected. Yalan had confirmed it during the aptitude test, and he wouldn''t be able to make use of his lightning manual.

    Still, not all paths were blocked.

    Chen Ren tossed him a few old mortal grade martial art manuals from his childhood.

    ¡°Cultivation isn¡¯t just about one thing. Work on the foundation first,¡± he said. ¡°Figure out your Dao. You¡¯re better off knowing what path to walk upon as I get you a cultivation manual.¡±

    Luo Heng didn''t complain and accepted the manuals and started to practice them with Zi Wen helping him to understand the stances and forms.

    While the cultivators wrestled with their paths, the mortals had no such luxury. They had tasks, responsibilities, and deadlines¡ªand Tang Xiulan saw to it that they met them.

    Chen Ren had known she was intelligent, but watching her teach was another thing entirely. She grasped concepts quickly, adapted them, and had already organized lessons for the street kids and villager-turned-students.

    Basic literacy, arithmetic, and business fundamentals¡ªeverything they¡¯d need to handle his growing enterprises.

    That was one problem he didn''t have to worry about.

    Seeing that his sect was slowly forming a rhythm, his mind moved to the next task at hand: alcohol distribution. He needed to finalize his supply chain before scaling production. Once that was set, he could shift focus to expanding his food stalls. Ice cream would have to wait¡ªsummer had passed, and he wasn¡¯t foolish enough to push a seasonal product.

    Still, the future stretched ahead, full of possibilities.

    He knew he needed to produce a fresh batch of the alcohol without an awful taste. And for two weeks, he kept distilling alcohol and trying to get the flavour right. It took a while and a lot of frustration as he kept trying different concentrations and methods until finally, he found himself making a batch that was just good enough to sell. It took another week to create a carriage full of them with his sect members helping out before Chen Ren decided it was finally the time to take a trip around the empire.

    Just before he left, he sat across Xiulan, papers scattered across the table as they finalised the plans for the sect¡¯s upcoming expansion.

    "Is it really necessary for you to go?" Xiulan¡¯s question cut through the quiet, her fingers fidgeting nervously on her lap. "We¡¯ve just started things here, and I might be able to get some more help."

    Chen Ren inhaled through his nose. His eyes met her for the briefest moment and saw how serious she was. ¡°Yes, I did tell you I have a few things to do other than the alcohol supply line.¡±

    ¡°I do know, young master. But that¡¯s what makes me worried. You¡¯re going to an established sect, and from what you¡¯ve told me, it can be dangerous.¡±

    He gave a small nod. ¡°Yes, it is dangerous. But Yalan will be with me. And I think I¡¯ll at least be able to preserve my life and escape with her there, if anything goes wrong.¡±

    Xiulan let out a breath, her posture relaxing slightly as she processed his words. ¡°All right. I¡¯ll make sure to handle the construction and plumbing. Though, I think it might take some time for the village builder and laborers to understand your diagrams.¡±

    Chen Ren smiled wryly, feeling a familiar frustration at the mention of plumbing.

    Beyond the hustle of his businesses, Chen Ren had a vision for expanding his place, a long-term goal of building more facilities to accommodate the growing needs of the sect. But for now, his focus was on enhancing the three buildings they already had. More floors, more rooms, and, most importantly, proper plumbing.

    It was something that grated on him about this era¡ªthe complete lack of efficient plumbing and proper facilities for nature¡¯s calls. A seemingly minor detail that no one ever seemed to address in any Xianxia novel. It always seemed so absurd to him. Even cultivators, according to Yalan, weren¡¯t exempt. They could survive without food for days, and as a result, their bodily needs were minimal. But that only left one glaring problem: no one had thought to advance the plumbing systems.

    Chen Ren wasn¡¯t about to let that slide. He intended to change that, starting with his own buildings.

    He felt a sense of contentment as he reviewed the plans¡ªeverything sketched out in detail. He¡¯d handed over the blueprints to Xiulan, making sure to emphasize where manual labor would be needed. He trusted her to follow the instructions. She had always been good at executing his plans, and he had no doubt she would manage this one just as effectively.

    The door opened then¡ªcutting his thoughts short, and Zi Han stepped in. ¡°Sect Leader Chen, we¡¯re ready to go.¡±

    Chen Ren stood, giving Xiulan one last look. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be back in two weeks.¡± He gave her a reassuring smile, though his mind was already turning to the journey ahead.

    He walked outside with Zi Han and Xiulan, and the sight of the modified carriage waiting for him made his chest swell with pride. The carriage, once used for their initial travels, had been altered to fit crates of his newly perfected alcohol, and it was now packed to the brim, ready to make its way across the empire.

    The group had gathered. Hong Yi and Anji stood by the carriage, their eyes scanning the surroundings. Yalan was seated on the ground and Whiskey stood on top of the carriage.

    As he approached the group, his gaze flicked over Hong Yi, who was deeply engrossed in a map. When Hong Yi noticed him approaching, he lifted his eyes, a skeptical look creeping across his face. ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± he asked, his voice laced with doubt.

    Chen Ren gave a reassuring smile, his confidence unwavering. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m confident,¡± he replied, then stepped forward and traced his finger along a line on the map. His finger paused at a small town named Black Lotus Town, the first destination on their journey. ¡°We¡¯ll be moving from here,¡± he said, his finger continuing along the path. ¡°Then we¡¯ll follow this road through the major cities to reach Ashen. This will be our destination.¡±

    The path he outlined was a half-circle, the route weaving through some lesser-known towns. ¡°On our way back,¡± he continued, ¡°we¡¯ll pass through Cloud Mist City.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s in Ashen City?¡± Anji asked.

    Chen Ren pointed at a spot on the map, just before the last leg of the journey. ¡°From what I gathered, it houses the Zhu Clan and they have one of the largest breweries in the region, with alcohol businesses spanning multiple cities. We¡¯ll be trying to get in business with them.¡±

    He paused, his finger moving to another part of the map, closer to the halfway point between them and Ashen. ¡°But before we get there,¡± he added, ¡°we¡¯ll make a stop at the Blood Iron Sect.¡±

    Hong Yi¡¯s eyes changed at the mention of the sect. He gulped, his brow furrowing in concern. ¡°I really hope you¡¯re right about this,¡± he muttered, the uncertainty now evident in his voice.

    It made Anji frown deeper. She clutched the map in her hand.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Chen Ren said. ¡°It won¡¯t be the first time I would made a big organization bow down to me.¡±

    ***

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 Chapter 68: Star qi

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t particularly enjoy traveling in this world¡ªat least, not by carriage.

    The world itself was great. The air was thick with qi, filling his lungs with a refreshing energy that never left him feeling truly exhausted. Towering trees lined the roads, their canopies swaying lazily in the breeze. Rivers cut through fields like silver threads, their waters clear enough to reflect the sky. Everything looked like it had been plucked straight out of a painting.

    But none of that changed the fact that the roads were terrible.

    The carriage rattled and shook with every pothole, the wooden wheels groaned under the uneven road. And every bump sent a jolt through his spine, and no matter how he adjusted his posture, there was no such thing as comfort. The seats were stiff, the air inside stuffy, and the constant swaying made even resting a chore.

    He figured this was mostly a mortal problem. The real cultivators¡ªthose who had stepped beyond these struggles¡ªsoared through the skies on flying swords, rode atop spirit beasts, or, if they were truly powerful, summoned floating boats like the one Elder Yan Xiu had used. Compared to that, his carriage might as well have been a wooden box strapped to a herd of drunk oxen.

    Unfortunately, he wasn¡¯t at that level yet.

    The only upside was the frequent stops. Small villages dotted their path, giving the horses and travelers a chance to rest. Chen Ren took these breaks as an opportunity to stretch his legs¡ªliterally. While others stretched their backs or loosened their stiff limbs, he ran.

    His body moved effortlessly, his feet barely touching the ground before propelling him forward again. The wind rushed past his face, and the pounding of hooves beside him was nothing but a background rhythm. Even when the carriage started rolling again, he kept up easily, the horses unable to leave him behind. It was better than sitting.

    Of course, he didn¡¯t spend the entire journey running meaninglessly. He had long since shed his laziness in this world, and he wasn¡¯t about to waste time lounging in the carriage.

    Instead, he trained. Whenever they took breaks, and he wasn¡¯t running, he trained.

    Not in his lightning techniques¡ªthose came naturally, instinctively. No, this time, he focused on something new. A technique he had won in the tournament.

    [Starlight Defense], an Earth grade defensive technique.

    The name was fancy, but in the world of cultivation, that was normal. He had heard of techniques like and Compared to those, [Starlight Defense] was straightforward. It did exactly what its name suggested¡ªused the qi of the stars and moon to form a protective barrier around the user.

    The diagrams in the manual showed a shimmering cover of light forming over the body, covering vital points like armor woven from the night sky. It sounded impressive. It looked impressive. But there was a catch.

    Chen Ren opened his eyes and exhaled, watching the stars stretch across the sky.

    He could only cultivate it at night.

    ¡°So apparently, it¡¯s mostly potent at night since it uses the qi of the stars and moon,¡± Chen Ren muttered, leaning back against a fallen log. He picked on the grass beneath them as his eyes shifted from the technique manual in his lap. ¡°I can still use it in the morning, but it won¡¯t be nearly as strong.¡± He sighed, gaze flickering toward the sky, where the moon had begun its slow climb. ¡°It¡¯s powerful¡ªit¡¯s an Earth-grade technique, after all¡ªbut I don¡¯t know how to get around this flaw.¡±

    Across from him, Yalan was sprawled on the grass, stretching her small body. A few paces away, Hong Yi crouched over a pot, stirring the venison soup he had thrown together after hunting a deer. Anji and Zi Han sat nearby, murmuring about something he didn¡¯t bother listening to.

    High above, perched on a low-hanging branch, Whiskey lazily chewed on a berry, his tail flicking in amusement.

    Yalan glanced up from the fire that was in the middle of them, meeting his gaze. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s much of a flaw,¡± she said casually.

    Chen Ren frowned. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Instead of answering, she purred. ¡°Use the technique.¡±

    He raised an eyebrow. There was no hesitation in her tone, just quiet confidence. Well, there was no harm in trying.

    Without another word, he shut his eyes and exhaled slowly, letting his focus sink into the world around him.

    Ever since stepping into the qi refinement realm, everything had changed. Almost as if the world has opened itself to him, in terms of spiritual energy mixed in the air. He had even gotten better at recognising different types of qi. It was eye opening, and felt like a whole different level of enlightenment. Before, it had been like looking at a river from a distance¡ªhe knew it was there, but it was unreachable. Now, he stood at the river¡¯s edge, able to dip his hands into the flow.

    And right now, he was searching for something specific.

    Star qi.

    It wasn¡¯t as easy to grasp as his lightning qi, which surged and crackled like a living storm within him. The celestial qi was distant, slow-moving, as if existing on a different plane. But as he focused, the mantra of [Starlight Defense] running through his mind, something shifted.

    A pull.

    The energy trickled toward him, slow but steady. He guided it into his body, moving it through his meridians, letting it flow across his skin. It was subtle at first, like cool mist settling over him. Then, as the technique took hold, the mist thickened.

    When he opened his eyes, his entire body shimmered with a faint bluish light. A transparent armor, woven from qi itself, clung to him, covering his vitals in an otherworldly glow. There was no weight to it, no restriction in movement, but he felt different. More protected. More... stable.

    Yalan studied him for a moment, then nodded. ¡°Not bad. Looks like a solid technique.¡±

    Chen Ren let out a breath, the glow flickering slightly. ¡°Yeah, it is.¡± He flexed his fingers, watching the way the qi shifted over his knuckles before fading. ¡°But like I said, the problem is during the day. There¡¯s barely any star or moon qi to draw from. It¡¯s not like my other techniques where I can just use my own aspected qi.¡±

    His voice was steady, but the frustration was there. A technique was only as useful as its availability¡ªand this one, no matter how strong, came with a major limitation. He knew the sun was a star too, but for some reason, the qi was completely different than the one he would feel at night and he wouldn''t be able to use it.

    ¡°There¡¯s very little star qi in the air during the morning,¡± Chen Ren said, shaking his head. ¡°That¡¯s the issue.¡±

    Yalan didn¡¯t reply immediately. Instead, she gave him a long, narrowed-eyed look, the kind that made him shift uncomfortably. Then, with a pointed tone, she asked, ¡°Do you really think that technique is so rigid?¡±

    Chen Ren frowned. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. ¡°I¡¯ll give you a hint.¡± Her gaze flickered to the sky before closing. ¡°Earth-grade techniques are superior to mortal ones. Starting from this grade, techniques are thoroughly designed¡ªnone of them should have such a glaring flaw unless they¡¯re extremely specialized. That means there¡¯s already a way to use your defense technique in the day without losing effectiveness. You just have to think about it.¡±

    Then she went quiet.

    She didn¡¯t elaborate, didn¡¯t offer any further clues. Just sat there, calmly, as if waiting for him to figure it out on his own.

    Chen Ren turned her words over in his mind. A way to use [Starlight Defense] in the morning? How? There was no way to star qi¡ªat least, none that he knew of. Even if there was, he didn¡¯t have the ability to do it.

    He kept thinking, running through different possibilities. If he couldn¡¯t generate it, what could he do? He considered how the technique worked¡ªpulling in celestial qi from the environment, shaping it into armor. Seconds turned to minutes as he thought of ways to use the technique at all periods.

    And then it hit him.

    He looked up sharply. ¡°The way to do it¡­ is to store star qi in my body so I can use it during the day.¡±

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    Yalan nodded, opening her eyes and looking at him. ¡°Exactly. It won¡¯t be easy, though. Star qi is aspected¡ªyour body isn¡¯t naturally aligned with it. But you can still store a limited amount, then recharge it at night. It¡¯s a good system. And while I think you¡¯ll get a better defensive technique eventually, at your current realm, this one will protect you from most attacks.¡±

    Chen Ren hummed, considering her words. She was right. [Starlight Defense] wasn¡¯t perfect, but it was strong. If he could master this method, he¡¯d have a reliable defense at all times.

    ¡°Alright,¡± he said, flexing his fingers. ¡°Let me try it.¡±

    Closing his eyes again, he focused on the qi in the sky¡ªthe faint traces of star energy that lingered in the night air. It was distant but present, subtle but steady. He pulled it in, guiding it through his meridians, feeling the energy settle against his skin.

    This time, though, he didn¡¯t shape it into armor. Instead, he directed it inward, trying to absorb it into his body.

    But the moment the star qi entered him, it slipped away just as easily.

    He frowned and tried again, pulling in the energy, attempting to hold onto it. Again, it leaked out as if refusing to stay. Over and over, he repeated the process, adjusting, focusing¡ªbut each time, the qi escaped, like water slipping through cupped hands.

    Eventually, he exhaled sharply, opening his eyes. A thin sheen of sweat coated his forehead. ¡°It¡¯s not working,¡± he admitted. ¡°Every time I take in the star qi, it just escapes again.¡±

    Across from him, Yalan simply snickered. ¡°Did you really think it would be that easy?¡± She tilted her head slightly and scoffed. ¡°Of course, you need to practice. It won¡¯t stick right away.¡±

    Chen Ren sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He had expected a challenge, but this was trickier than he thought.

    ¡°Fortunately for you,¡± Yalan continued, gesturing toward the carriage in the distance, ¡°we have a long journey ahead. Plenty of time to get it right.¡±

    Chen Ren let out a breath, nodding. ¡°Yeah¡­ I guess I better start working on it.¡±

    ***

    Throughout the journey, Chen Ren¡¯s focus remained on [Starlight Defense]. Each night, under the vast expanse of the sky, he worked to absorb more and more star qi, trying to store it within himself. At first, it was frustrating¡ªeach time he gathered the energy, it slipped away before he could make use of it.

    But persistence paid off.

    Gradually, he refined his control. The trick, he realized, wasn¡¯t to store the excess star qi in his dantian¡ªwhere it would dissipate too easily¡ªbut within his body itself. His skin, his veins, his very flesh became a reservoir, holding the celestial energy like a sponge soaking up water. With this method, the qi lingered longer, and when he called upon it, it responded instantly, forming the protective barrier without delay.

    By the time he had a firm grasp of the technique, they had reached their first destination,

    It was a place known for two things¡ªits barley, which was sought after by breweries across the region, and its blacksmiths, whose work was said to rival even sect forges. Obviously, that one was a rumour since there were only mortal blacksmiths in the town, but their skill was still considered to be high.

    More importantly, it was the place Hong Yi dreaded to come back to. His sect lay to the left of the town, built into the side of a mountain, looming in the distance and due to that, the man''s trepidation was understandable.

    As they moved through the streets, the air smelled of roasting grains and hot iron.

    And for what had to be the hundredth time, Hong Yi asked, ¡°Are you really sure about this?¡±

    Zi Han walked beside Chen Ren on his left, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. Anji had opted to rest at the inn with Whiskey, exhausted from the long journey. As for Yalan? She had disappeared the moment they entered town, wandering off on her own, as usual.

    Chen Ren exhaled through his nose, glancing at Hong Yi. ¡°I¡¯ve already told you what I¡¯m going to do.¡± His gaze turned serious. ¡°Do you really want to live the life of a deserter forever?¡±

    He expected Hong Yi to flinch at the words, but when he turned to look at him properly¡ªhe froze for the third time since they had entered the city.

    It wasn¡¯t Hong Yi standing next to him.

    The man beside him had a different face¡ªplain, forgettable. His sharp features were gone, replaced with a smoother, almost¡­ regular look. He looked like every other guy on the street. Even his usual dark hair had disappeared, leaving him completely bald.

    But when he spoke again, his voice hadn¡¯t changed. ¡°It¡¯s not that simple.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze flickered back to the street, taking a deep breath.

    It was a cultivation tool¡ªone that Hong Yi had acquired at the same place he had found his inheritance. It was an artifact used by meridian expansion realm cultivators, capable of altering a person¡¯s entire appearance with just a thought. Even other cultivators would struggle to see through its disguise unless they were of a much higher realm or had a specialized technique.

    This was the reason Hong Yi had managed to evade his sect for so long. And the reason he dared to come so close to it now.

    Hong Yi sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t to be a deserter. But what you¡¯re planning¡­ it¡¯s dangerous. What if it goes wrong?¡± His voice was quieter now. ¡°They¡¯ll certainly be suspicious of you.¡±

    Chen Ren met Hong Yi¡¯s concerned gaze and exhaled. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m aware,¡± he admitted, ¡°but I¡¯m confident that if anything happens, I¡¯ll be able to run away. You already told me about all the escape routes I can take, and I¡¯ll have Yalan with me, so there¡¯s not much to worry about.¡±

    Even as he said that, though, he worried.

    After all, his plan required him to willingly walk into the jaws of an Established sect to discuss a deserter. Cultivators weren¡¯t exactly known for their patience, and he wouldn¡¯t put it past them to attack first and ask questions later. The only reason he was still going through with it was the combined protection of the cat and the plan he had carefully put together¡ªone that relied entirely on his ability to act.

    Still, no point in making Hong Yi more anxious than he already was. Chen Ren patted him on the shoulder. ¡°Just relax. You don¡¯t have to do anything. Focus on preparing for your spot in the Divine Coin Sect.¡±

    Hong Yi hesitated before nodding.

    Just then, Chen Ren spotted what he had been looking for¡ªa blacksmith¡¯s shop.

    Weapons of all kinds were displayed in front of the open stall, their sharp edges gleaming under the torchlight. Behind them, a forge burned hot, illuminating the muscular silhouettes of several young apprentices hard at work. Sparks flew as they hammered away at glowing steel, their faces streaked with sweat.

    As Chen Ren approached, one of the apprentices¡ªa lanky youth with soot on his face¡ªlooked up from his work and walked over. ¡°What are you looking for? A sword? Armor? Mace?¡±

    Chen Ren shook his head. ¡°None of that.¡± His gaze flickered toward the forge. ¡°I¡¯m looking for the blacksmith who owns this shop. I have something to ask him.¡±

    The boy frowned. ¡°Master doesn¡¯t meet just anyone.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips curled slightly. ¡°I¡¯m not just anyone. I¡¯m a cultivator.¡±

    At that, his expression shifted. He gave Chen Ren a once-over, then glanced at Zi Han and Hong Yi. His eyes lingered Chen Ren again after that, clearly sensing the quiet strength hidden beneath his composed exterior. Deciding this was well beyond his pay rate, he quickly turned and ran toward the forge.

    A moment later, a large, burly man stepped forward. His arms were thick with muscle and hair, his shirt rolled up to reveal the burns and scars. His beard was streaked with gray, but his posture carried the confidence of a man who had been forging weapons longer than most people had been alive.

    ¡°I heard an esteemed is looking for me,¡± the blacksmith said and eyed Chen Ren down. ¡°I¡¯m Forger Tai. How can I help you?¡±

    Chen Ren nodded. ¡°I don¡¯t want to buy anything,¡± he said, reaching into his robes. ¡°I have a diagram here, and I¡¯m wondering if you¡¯d be able to make something similar.¡±

    He pulled out a rolled-up parchment and handed it over.

    The blacksmith took it with a grunt, unrolling it. His brow furrowed as he examined the sketch, his gaze tracing every line, every detail. After a long moment, he muttered, ¡°This isn¡¯t any weapon I¡¯ve seen before.¡± Tai lifted his head, looking at Chen Ren with narrowed eyes. ¡°What can it even do?¡±

    Chen Ren tapped the diagram. ¡°It¡¯s a ranged weapon,¡± he explained. ¡°It fires projectiles into the air faster than any bow, and it has lethal explosive power.¡±

    The blacksmith frowned, squinting at the lines and notations on the parchment. He turned the diagram sideways as if that would help him understand it better, then scratched his beard. ¡°A ranged weapon with explosive power?¡±

    Chen Ren nodded.

    Tai muttered something under his breath and kept studying the sketch. He asked a few questions¡ªhow the projectiles were launched, what kind of force it used, what materials were needed¡ªbut the more Chen Ren answered, the more his frown deepened. His thick fingers traced the lines of the design, his brows knitting together in concentration, but in the end, he let out a heavy sigh. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he admitted, shaking his head. ¡°I don¡¯t think I can make this. I¡¯m only good with practical weapons¡ªblades, axes, hammers. This¡­ looks like some sort of cultivation artifact.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s brows furrowed. He hadn¡¯t expected that response. It wasn¡¯t an artifact, not really¡ªjust something this world hadn¡¯t seen before. But even if he tried to explain further, it was clear the blacksmith wouldn¡¯t be able to craft it.

    So, he nodded. ¡°I understand.¡±

    Turning to his comrades, he said, ¡°Let¡¯s try more shops.¡±

    Black Lotus Town was known for its blacksmiths¡ª one of them had to be capable of making the weapon.

    But as they moved from one forge to the next, they received the same responses. Every blacksmith looked at the diagram with confusion, some with curiosity, but all of them eventually admitted defeat. No one could say with confidence that they could craft such a weapon.

    By the time they left the last shop, the sun had dipped lower in the sky. Chen Ren exhaled, glancing at Hong Yi and Zi Han. ¡°It seems like we¡¯ll have no luck here,¡± he said. ¡°Unfortunate.¡±

    Hong Yi nodded, but Zi Han tilted his head slightly, eyes flicking back to the rolled-up diagram. ¡°What even is that weapon, Sect Leader Chen?¡±

    Chen Ren looked at him for a moment before answering. ¡°One of the deadliest weapons in the world. There¡¯s no production of it in the empire yet, but once I find someone capable of making it, our sect will become very formidable.¡±

    ¡°That strong?¡± Zi Han asked. Chen Ren could see the adrenaline that rushed to his eyes at the mention of power.

    He nodded at that.

    Hong Yi, however, remained thoughtful, eyes distant. Chen Ren placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. ¡°Either way, let¡¯s leave the weapon for later,¡± he said. ¡°For now, we need to deal with your Blood Iron Sect and make you a free man.¡±

    Hong Yi inhaled slowly, then nodded. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s do it.¡±

    ***

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 Chapter 69: Fooling a sect

    After a night''s stay in Black Lotus Town, the group finally set off toward their main destination. However, when they reached a fork in the road, Chen Ren and Yalan separated from the carriage, choosing to travel on foot toward the Blood Iron Sect.

    None of the others followed.

    Anji and Zi Han remained behind, Whiskey looked tempted to tag along, but a single glare from Yalan made the squirrel reconsider. As for Hong Yi¡ªhe stayed in the carriage without hesitation. He had no intention of following Chen Ren into a place that could very well be his deathbed. Instead, he just gave directions to the sect, ensuring Chen Ren knew where to go.

    With that, the two of them moved toward the sect alone.

    Despite its intimidating name, the was not a faction that specialized in blood arts. Their cultivation method focused primarily on defensive techniques, deriving strength from the resilience of iron itself. According to Hong Yi, the part of the name had only been added centuries ago, when a blood-aspected cultivator rose to the position of sect leader.

    That alone told Chen Ren one thing, this sect was old.

    It wasn''t a guardian sect like the Soaring Sword Sect, but it had its own history, its own standing, and more importantly, its own reputation. That meant dealing with them would be far trickier.

    As they walked, Chen Ren mentally rehearsed his plan over and over again. He couldn''t afford to make any mistakes.

    The path took them through a small thicket of forest, winding steadily toward the mountains in the distance. Unlike the Soaring Sword Sect, which was built atop a flattened peak, the Blood Iron Sect was located within the mountain itself. Chen Ren didn''t know whether that was due to the sect¡¯s cultivation style or simply because they hadn''t found a better location.

    Either way, it posed a problem.

    With a sect carved directly into a mountain, his escape options would be limited. While Hong Yi had provided some information on the exits, Chen Ren wasn¡¯t confident that he¡¯d be able to slip away if things turned south. Especially not as easily as Hong Yi had described.

    Still, he pressed on.

    The forest was quiet. Too quiet. And they did what anyone would do¡ªkeep an eye for any beasts.

    As they walked inside, there were no signs of wild beasts or spirit creatures lurking in the shadows. That meant either the sect had eliminated them, or they had long since fled, unwilling to reside near cultivators. Either way, it worked in Chen Ren¡¯s favor¡ªan easier path meant a faster journey.

    After trekking for half a day, they finally neared the sect¡¯s entrance.

    Chen Ren paused, scanning the area to get his bearings. That was when Yalan¡¯s voice cut through the silence.

    Chen Ren turned to her.

    She nodded.

    Chen Ren nodded.

    Yalan gave a slow nod, though reluctance crossed her eyes. Still, she didn¡¯t protest. Instead, a soft glow of qi surrounded her body, and her form began to shrink. Within moments, the elegant feline was gone, replaced by what appeared to be an ordinary, but a very cute kitten.

    Chen Ren blinked, then instinctively reached out, scratching under her chin.

    Her claws batted his hand away, and she gave him a sharp glare. It left a light scratch on his hand.

    she said.

    Chen Ren let out a small chuckle but complied. He carefully picked her up and tucked her inside the inner pocket of his robe, feeling a faint pulse of energy wrap around him as he did. It was warm, reassuring even, and he allowed himself a small smile.

    ¡°I can do this,¡± he muttered to himself.

    Then, reaching into his robes, he retrieved the Skin Mask he had taken from Hong Yi.

    The item looked like nothing more than a thin, flexible sheet, yet as soon as he pressed it against his skin and activated his qi, it adhered to his face, its magic taking hold. He fed it a command, shaping his appearance into that of a slightly middle-aged man.

    There was no immediate sensation of change. His face felt the same¡ªhis features familiar. Yet, when he touched his skin, it was rougher, textured like that of an older man. The transformation had worked. He touched his chin, outer corners of his lips and his cheeks¡ªhe felt the way his face had changed.

    With everything in place, Chen Ren strode forward, heading toward the mountain in the distance.

    It only took five minutes for Yalan¡¯s warning to prove true.

    He struck something unseen¡ªan invisible barrier that rippled slightly upon contact, confirming its presence. He didn¡¯t try to force his way through. Instead, he waited.

    Sure enough, it wasn¡¯t long before two figures approached.

    Both were young men, clad in black robes that bore the crest of the Blood Iron Sect¡ªa stylized iron hammer, with a faint red streak running through it like a river of blood. Their postures were rigid, their expressions unreadable.

    A single glance at their aura told him what they were.

    Likely outer disciples, assigned to patrol duty.

    As they came to stand before him, Chen Ren didn¡¯t speak immediately. Instead, he observed them closely, waiting for them to address him first.

    He stood still, hands tucked into his sleeves. The air around him was cool, the mountain breeze carrying the faint scent of damp stone and pine. He could hear the soft rustle of leaves in the distance, the occasional chirp of a bird, but beyond that, the world was quiet. Too quiet.

    One of them, the taller of the two, let his gaze linger on Chen Ren for a moment before speaking.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± His voice was rough, edged with the confidence of someone used to turning people away. ¡°This is Blood Iron Sect territory. No one other than sect members is allowed here.¡±

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t smile. Instead, his frown deepened. ¡°I¡¯m just a traveling cultivator,¡± he said. ¡°I have an important matter to discuss with your sect leader.¡±

    The shorter disciple scoffed, folding his arms. ¡°What sect are you from?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a rogue cultivator.¡± Chen Ren met his gaze without hesitation. ¡°Take me to your sect leader.¡±

    For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then, almost in sync, the two disciples burst into laughter.

    ¡°Our sect leader doesn¡¯t meet just any old man, cultivator or not.¡± The taller one smirked, arms still crossed as if the matter was already settled.

    Chen Ren arched a brow. ¡°Old man?¡± His voice carried no anger, but there was a weight to his words, a sharpness just beneath the surface. ¡°It seems your sect has failed to teach you how to speak to others properly. Especially ones who can kill you without any trouble.¡±

    The taller disciple¡¯s smirk faltered. His eyes narrowed. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, he exhaled softly, letting his qi pulse outward. It wasn¡¯t much¡ªjust a thin ripple, a sliver of the pressure he had learned to control under Yalan¡¯s guidance.

    Instantly, the atmosphere shifted.

    The smiles died.

    Both disciples stiffened as a crushing force pressed down on them, invisible but undeniable. The air around them grew heavy, like the weight of a mountain had settled on their shoulders. Their feet slid half a step back before they could stop themselves.

    Their breathing hitched. Their fingers twitched. Cold sweat formed at their temples.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t even one percent of my power.¡± He looked at the two, lowering his qi flare. ¡°You would be wise to take me to your sect leader.¡±

    The shorter disciple swallowed hard, his previous arrogance cracking. The taller one clenched his jaw, fists tight at his sides, as if debating whether to argue or comply.

    Then Chen Ren spoke again, this time dropping the final piece.

    ¡°Tell them I¡¯m here because of one of your disciples¡ªHong Yi.¡±

    Their faces changed instantly.

    The shorter one didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªhe turned on his heel and sprinted back toward the sect, moving with the urgency of someone who knew this wasn¡¯t a matter to be taken lightly.

    The taller one remained, lips pressed into a thin line, his earlier bravado gone.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t bother with him. He simply waited.

    Then, from within his robes, Yalan¡¯s voice brushed against his mind.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t react outwardly, only responding through their shared link.

    Yalan made a small, unimpressed noise in his mind but didn¡¯t argue.

    And so, with nothing left to do, Chen Ren stood at the sect¡¯s doorstep, waiting.

    As he waited, the stillness of the mountain path was soon broken by hurried footsteps. The disciple who had run off earlier was returning, and beside him strode a man who looked like an elder.

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    The man¡¯s robe bore the same deep black as the disciples¡¯, but his was embroidered with shiny silver symbols on the front, giving it an air of authority. His movements were composed, but his sharp gaze flickered over Chen Ren, assessing him with every step.

    Stopping a few feet away, the elder inclined his head in a formal bow. "I am Elder Kang Lhenshi of the Blood Iron Sect." He looked at Chen Ren from top to bottom, and met his eyes again. "I have been told you are here regarding Hong Yi."

    Chen Ren nodded. "Yes, I need to speak with your sect leader regarding him. Is he available?"

    Elder Kang''s eyes barely shifted, but Chen Ren caught the flicker of hesitation in them. The man was trying to sense his cultivation level, carefully deciding whether this was someone he could dismiss or someone that he should be cautious about. It was a smart move, looking to one honed by years of experience with rogue cultivators. Therefore, Chen Ren decided to make things easier for him.

    With a subtle movement, he cupped his hands, giving Yalan the signal.

    A split second later, a wave of invisible pressure pulsed from his body. It wasn¡¯t his own strength, but Yalan¡¯s, controlled, heavy and precise, just enough to leave an oppressive weight in the air.

    Elder Kang¡¯s face went pale instantly. His back stiffened, his nostrils flaring just slightly¡ªsmall signs of fear he probably thought he was hiding well.

    Then, with a quick nod, he forced himself into a more respectful stance. "Yes, the sect leader is available. Please come with me, honored cultivator."

    The shift in tone was immediate. Even the way he looked at Chen Ren¡ªit all changed in a millisecond.

    Reaching into his sleeve, elder Kang retrieved a small bronze token engraved with a faint, swirling rune. He held it out with both hands.

    "Please hold this as you step forward," he instructed.

    Chen Ren took the token, its surface cool against his fingers. As soon as he gripped it, he stepped forward, and the once-imperceptible barrier around the sect parted for him, allowing him through without resistance.

    The elder gestured for him to follow. "This way."

    Chen Ren walked behind him as they approached the mountain, the path growing steeper with every step. A massive arch-shaped entrance yawned before them¡ªa dark, gaping hole in the stone, large enough to accommodate multiple people walking side by side.

    Chen Ren eyed the entrance.

    Without pausing, Elder Kang stepped inside, and Chen Ren followed.

    The moment he crossed the threshold, he realized just how vast the tunnel truly was.

    The ceiling stretched high above them, supported by massive stone pillars reinforced with thick iron veins, pulsing and pulsating. He could tell that the whole place was infused with qi. The air inside was cooler. Maybe because of its location¡ªregardless, he felt chills.

    Soon, they were walking down a path that was sloped downward, leading further underground rather than straight into the mountain.

    As they walked, Elder Kang finally spoke again.

    "Honored cultivator," he began, and looked at Chen Ren, offering a gentle smile that didn¡¯t reach his eyes. "You mentioned you are here to discuss Hong Yi. May I ask what this is about?"

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t answer immediately. He let the silence linger, watching how the elder¡¯s hands subtly clenched and unclenched at his sides¡ªa sign that he was trying to keep his composure.

    Then, finally, Chen Ren spoke.

    "Hong Yi is a very important cultivator of your sect, is he?" he asked.

    Elder Kang nodded. "Yes. He has been missing for some time, and we are all deeply concerned for him."

    Chen Ren fought back the urge to chuckle at Elder Kang¡¯s blatant lie. Deep concern for Hong Yi? Right. More like they were scrambling to figure out what happened to him, just so they could find him if he was alive.

    Still, he didn¡¯t call the elder out on it. Instead, he offered a short nod, appearing to be respectful and polite. "I''ll speak directly with your sect leader."

    ¡°Ah, yes. Of course,¡± Elder Kang said, but his lips pressed into a thin line. Chen Ren thought the man would be more keen on arguing, but no. With a gesture, he led Chen further down the sloping tunnel.

    ***

    They walked for what felt like ages, the tunnel stretching endlessly before them. The walls, though rough, bore clear signs of human craftsmanship¡ªchiseling marks still faintly visible on the stone. Here and there, iron sconces held flickering lanterns, their weak yellow glow creating long shadows. And all Chen Ren could smell was damp earth and boiling oil.

    Then, the tunnel widened.

    Chen Ren stepped forward¡ªand his breath hitched slightly.

    Beneath him, an entire underground city stretched out like a hidden world.

    Buildings, cut straight from the stone, lined the cave¡ªinside of the mountain in neat rows. Some structures were reinforced with dark wood, their rooftops decorated with banners bearing the sect¡¯s insignia. The streets were alive with movement¡ªdisciples in black robes hurried about, their hushed voices creating a low murmur that filled the chamber.

    Further ahead, bridges of sturdy iron filled across deep crevices, connecting different sections of the city. The faint sound of running water echoed through the area, suggesting an underground river somewhere in the depths.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t have time to take it all in.

    Elder Kang barely paused, guiding him toward another tunnel on the far side of the city. They passed rows of tall, robed figures standing guard, their eyes flickering toward him in curiosity but saying nothing.

    Finally, after another stretch of walking, they reached a chamber carved into the stone.

    The elder pushed open a heavy wooden door, revealing a modestly elegant room inside.

    Chen Ren stepped in, his gaze flicking over the space.

    The walls were smoothly polished, engraved with faint carvings of flowing clouds and mountain peaks. A dark wooden table sat in the center, surrounded by cushioned chairs. A single lantern hung overhead.

    Everything here was designed with subtle refinement, not overly extravagant, but not entirely plain either.

    Elder Kang gestured to one of the chairs. "Please, have a seat. The sect leader will be with you shortly."

    Chen Ren nodded and sat down.

    The former¡¯s lips curled into a polite smile. "You must have come a long way. Please rest here until I return."

    Without waiting for a response, the elder turned and left, closing the door behind him.

    Chen Ren leaned back slightly, his eyes sweeping over the room.

    Yalan¡¯s voice rang in his mind.

    he replied mentally, his eyes taking it all in.

    As they conversed, the door creaked open once again.

    This time, it wasn¡¯t the elder.

    A young disciple, a woman entered, carrying a small lacquered tray. On it sat a delicate porcelain teapot and two matching cups. Without a word, she placed them on the table, bowed low, and silently retreated, closing the door behind him.

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze fell to the steaming cup of tea. He didn¡¯t touch it.

    Even though the faint aroma of the tea was tempting, he knew better. For all his posturing as a rogue cultivator, his mind could still be manipulated¡ªand there were poisons and mind-numbing herbs that could affect even someone of his supposed level.

    He wasn¡¯t about to take that risk.

    Instead, he merely watched the steam curl into the air, waiting patiently for what was to come next.

    But as time passed, the quietness of the room expanded. Everything felt too still, even his own heartbeat that was beating heavily in his ears. He had to calm down, therefore, he focused on his breath¡ªinhale and exhale. Seconds stretched into minutes until, at last, the door creaked open again.

    This time, two figures entered.

    The first was Elder Kang. He carried himself with stiff authority, but Chen Ren noticed how his shoulders were slightly tense, as if wary of how this meeting would unfold.

    But it was the man beside him who truly caught Chen Ren¡¯s attention.

    Broad-shouldered and towering, the second figure radiated raw strength. His bald head gleamed under the lantern¡¯s glow, and his thick brows were turned into a frown. Unlike the elder, he wore a heavier, more designed robe, its darker fabric filled with embroidered iron-like patterns, almost as if to mirror the name of the sect itself.

    Chen Ren could tell immediately¡ªthis man didn¡¯t need weapons. Even through the heavy fabric of his robes, the sheer density of his muscles was apparent. His chest and abdomen were solid as iron, and each step he took made the wooden floor groan slightly beneath his weight. He just knew this man had abs beneath all that robe.

    This was someone who had trained his body to the peak of its limits.

    The sect leader.

    The man gave a small nod in greeting before speaking.

    "I am the Sect Leader Ma Tianhai of the Blood Iron Sect. I apologize for not providing you with better hospitality. I did not know such an esteemed cultivator would be visiting our humble sect."

    Chen Ren remained seated, nodding in return.

    "I am Rin Ho," he said, smoothly offering the fake name he had prepared. "A rogue cultivator with an important matter to discuss."

    Sect leader Ma''s gaze remained steady, but his interest was clear.

    "I assume this is about one of our disciples¡ªHong Yi?"

    Chen Ren gave a slow nod.

    Ma Tianhai moved toward a chair across from him and sat down, the wooden frame creaking slightly under his weight. His presence dominated the space, yet his posture remained composed, not aggressive.

    Beside him, Elder Kang stiffened slightly. His eyes flickered toward Ma Tianhai before quickly darting away, his expression betraying the barest hint of unease.

    Chen Ren caught the silent exchange. A subtle glance. A tightening of the jaw. A slight flinch.

    "Can you tell me what happened to him first?" Chen Ren asked. "Elder Kang informed me that he has gone missing."

    Chen Ren didn''t miss it¡ªthe way Ma Tianhai visibly tensed, fingers twitching against his sleeve before quickly masking his reaction.

    Then, after a beat, he gave a slow nod and locked eyes with Chen Ren.

    "Yes," he finally said. "Hong Yi was on a mission in a nearby city when he disappeared. We have searched extensively for him¡ªafter all, he was one of our most talented and promising core disciples."

    Then, his gaze sharpened.

    "Do you have any further information about him?"

    Chen Ren nodded. "Yes, I do have information."

    He let the words settle for a moment, giving them weight. Then, with a slight sigh, he added, "Though I doubt you will like it, considering how much you seem to care about him."

    He watched them closely as he spoke the next words.

    "Hong Yi is dead."

    The room, once filled with a quiet but steady tension, shifted in an instant.

    The elder¡¯s breath caught. His lips parted as if to say something, but he didn''t speak. Ma Tianhai''s reaction was more controlled¡ªhis shoulders barely tensed, his posture remaining firm¡ªbut his eyes...

    His eyes sharpened, an almost imperceptible flicker of something deeper flashing through them.

    Chen Ren didn''t stop.

    "I found his corpse in the Blein Forest, far from here." He sighed again.

    "He was¡­ shredded. Bite marks covered his body¡ªdeep gouges of torn flesh and cracked bone. Half of him was already gone, clearly devoured by a Grade 5 beast. I believe it was a green fang direwolf, though I could be wrong. But the teeth marks and the size of the paw prints embedded in the ground matched its kind. It was fresh. Even his head was missing. All that remained was his torso, barely recognizable¡ªhis ribs snapped open, his insides hollowed out."

    Elder Kang inhaled sharply. Chen Ren¡¯s eyes went to him and immediately saw it¡ªthe way the man¡¯s fingers curled into fists at his sides, the slight paling of his skin. It was a natural reaction to hearing about a disciple¡¯s gruesome fate, but he wasn''t convinced it was purely grief.

    Still, he continued, watching every twitch, every subtle movement.

    "I only managed to identify him because I found a sect crest on his remains, with his name engraved on it." He reached into his robes, slowly pulling out the bloodstained metal emblem he had retrieved.

    He placed it on the table between them. The soft clink of metal meeting wood was the only sound in the room as no one spoke.

    The air grew thick¡ªalmost suffocating Chen Ren. Elder Kang turned, locking eyes with Ma Tianhai.

    It was quick¡ªjust a single glance, but it was enough. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Chen Ren caught it.

    The tension in their postures, the way their gazes held for a fraction too long, the silent conversation passing between them. This wasn¡¯t the reaction of a grieving sect leader and elder.

    Chen Ren kept his face neutral, but inwardly, he honed in on the exchange. The way Ma Tianhai¡¯s brows furrowed just slightly before smoothing over, the faint twitch in the elder¡¯s fingers, the subtle shift in their auras¡ªas if thinking, adjusting, deciding.

    If they believed what Chen Ren was telling them, then his escape would be smooth, effortless. No suspicions, no lingering doubts¡ªjust a rogue cultivator delivering unfortunate news before vanishing into the wind. More importantly, Hong Yi would finally be free from the chains that had bound him for years. Dead men carried no burdens.

    But if they refused to accept the story¡­ if they questioned him, picked apart his words, dug deeper¡ªthen cracks would form. And if they kept digging long enough, they¡¯d find him.

    That wasn¡¯t an option.

    So he waited.

    His breathing was steady, his posture relaxed but not careless. His face remained unreadable, his expression carefully controlled¡ªdetached, neutral. If he showed sadness, it would be unnatural. A rogue cultivator mourning a stranger? Suspicious. If he appeared too indifferent, they might think he was hiding something. Dangerous.

    So he struck a balance¡ªcalm, firm, but with just enough weight in his words to make them believe he had at least some respect for the dead.

    A messenger delivering ill tidings.

    Nothing more.

    All the while, his thoughts churned and churned, and he prayed and prayed.

    Then, finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ma Tianhai turned back to him.

    His face had changed. Gone was the momentary flicker of shock, replaced by a pointed stare. Chen Ren felt their calculative stares in his bones.

    Then, he spoke.

    "Why should I believe you, Rin Ho?"

    ***

    Note - There was a small mention of why he can''t get star qi in morning because sun is a star in previous chapter. There''s a reason for it.

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

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 Chapter 70: Selling a lie

    Chen Ren had thought long and hard about how to free Hong Yi from the grasp of the Blood Iron Sect. There were few options available to him.

    He could openly poach the young cultivator without a care in the world, daring the Blood Iron Sect to challenge him¡ªan act of arrogance that only someone far stronger could afford. And he very well knew that wasn''t going to work. He could attempt to negotiate with Ma Tianhai, pleading his case like a merchant haggling over a prized treasure. Which had a higher chance of failing than working. Or he could take the most direct approach¡ªforcing them to let go, one way or another.

    But all of these paths had one glaring flaw¡ªhe wasn¡¯t strong enough.

    Power dictated the rules in the cultivation world, and right now, he didn¡¯t have enough of it to impose his will and stand against a well-known sect. So, he had settled on a different plan, one built on a single, simple thought,

    The sect couldn¡¯t look for Hong Yi if he was already dead.

    Of course, it was a lie. But a lie only mattered if it was exposed, if he was caught. But this was better than all the other options he came up with.

    The real challenge lay in making them believe it.

    Now, as he sat in the heart of the Blood Iron Sect, facing Ma Tianhai himself, he felt the weight of his gamble pressing down on him. The man before him, Sect Leader Ma Tianhai, was a figure of quiet menace, his aura coiling through the hall like an unseen serpent.

    ¡°Why should I believe you, Rin Ho?¡± Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    A formless pressure settled over Chen Ren¡¯s shoulders, threatening to drive him into the floor. His muscles stiffened, his breath hitching for just a moment before another force pushed back against the pressure. Yalan.

    The tension in his chest eased as her qi wrapped around him like an invisible shield, steadying his mind. He couldn¡¯t let the man know he was affected. He took a breath, lifting his gaze to meet Ma Tianhai¡¯s eyes. Then, in a calm, neutral tone, he spoke,

    ¡°Sect Leader Ma, I am not here to convince you. I am merely delivering the news of one of your disciples'' deaths because it is a righteous act and my responsibility as the one who confirmed it.¡± He forced his vocals to remain even. ¡°If I were lying, do you think I would be sitting here, in the very heart of your sect? Are you truly willing to offend me when I am doing your sect a favor?¡±

    As he said the last words, a silence fell over. Both Elder Kang and Sect leader Ma exchanged glances, their expressions shifting subtly. The oppressive force in the room did not dissipate entirely, but it loosened, just enough for Chen Ren to know his words had landed.

    Ma Tianhai¡¯s eyes turned towards him, dark and unreadable. Then, slowly, he exhaled and lowered his gaze just a fraction.

    ¡°You misunderstand me, fellow Daoist,¡± he said.

    His fingers curled slightly against the armrest of his chair before relaxing. His gaze flickered downward, and for the first time, a trace of something almost human appeared in his expression.

    ¡°Hong Yi was one of our most important disciples. Hearing of his death like this¡­ is difficult to accept.¡±

    The chamber remained silent for a long moment. Then, Sect Leader Ma¡¯s voice cut through the air.

    ¡°Can you give us more details on his death?¡± he asked. ¡°Where did you find him? And¡­ What did you do with his corpse?¡±

    Chen Ren nodded slightly, as if he had expected the question. He exhaled, keeping his expression neutral as he leaned back just a fraction.

    ¡°Well,¡± he began, ¡°I can say for sure that he died to a beast. From the tracks, it was clear that he had been chased for quite a while before the end.¡± He let that information hang in the air before adding, ¡°I believe it happened about a year ago.¡±

    Ma Tianhai¡¯s expression did not shift, but Chen Ren caught the slight tightening of Elder Kang¡¯s jaw.

    ¡°Unfortunately,¡± he continued, ¡°I don¡¯t know what he was doing there. As for the location, it was west of the heart of the Blein forest. I had ventured deeper myself, looking for certain herbs for a concoction I was brewing.¡±

    A lie that the Iron Blood Sect had no way of knowing.

    ¡°And his corpse?¡± Ma Tianhai asked, his gaze sharpening.

    Chen Ren met his eyes without hesitation. ¡°I burned it.¡±

    A sharp intake of breath came from Elder Kang. The man paled visibly, his fingers twitching against his robes. Sect Leader Ma¡¯s eyes narrowed for a split second before his expression smoothed once more.

    ¡°You burned it?¡±

    Chen Ren nodded. ¡°Yes. By the time I found him, only bits of his flesh remained. According to cultivation customs, cremation was the proper choice.¡± His voice remained steady, as if the decision had been entirely reasonable. ¡°I had no artifacts capable of preserving his body long enough to bring him here, so I did what was necessary.¡±

    A slow exhale came from Ma Tianhai. He did not speak immediately, but there was a subtle stiffness in his posture, a tightness at the corner of his mouth.

    ¡°¡­That is really, really unfortunate,¡± he said at last.

    Before the weight of those words could settle, Elder Kang from behind suddenly spoke.

    ¡°Daoist¡­¡± The man paused, then continued, his voice holding an unmistakable edge. ¡°May I ask you something?¡±

    Chen Ren inclined his head slightly. ¡°Of course, Elder.¡±

    Elder Kang studied him for a moment, then leaned forward. ¡°Why did it take a full year for you to bring this news to us?¡± His eyes gleamed with something sharp¡ªan unspoken suspicion, perhaps. ¡°Our Blood Iron Sect might not be as grand as a Guardian Sect, but it is hardly obscure. It wouldn¡¯t have been difficult for someone as esteemed and powerful as yourself to find us.¡±

    At that, even Ma Tianhai turned his gaze back to Chen Ren, waiting for his answer.

    Chen Ren did not hesitate. He had expected this. His lips curled into an easy smile, his eyes remaining relaxed as he replied,

    ¡°As I mentioned, I was searching for rare materials in the forest at the time. Afterward, I entered secluded cultivation. I only emerged last week, and as soon as I did, I made my way here to inform you.¡± He let his expression turn just a fraction apologetic, but his voice held firm resolve. ¡°I understand the delay may be frustrating, but I trust you understand¡ªmy personal cultivation will always be my highest priority.¡±

    Elder Kang squinted at him, but Ma Tianhai only exhaled through his nose, nodding once. ¡°That is fair.¡±

    Another voice, soft as silk, brushed against Chen Ren¡¯s mind.

    Yalan¡¯s tone carried amusement, but he ignored her, keeping his posture steady. The moment required his full focus.

    Ma Tianhai glanced at Elder Kang beside him, then turned back to Chen Ren.

    ¡°Wait here for a moment.¡±

    Chen Ren remained silent as Elder Kang stood, stepping away from his seat and exiting through one of the side doors. A brief hush filled the hall. When Elder Kang returned, he carried something in his hands.

    A map.

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze flickered over it as Elder Kang unfurled it carefully, revealing the details of a vast, sprawling forest.

    Elder Kang¡¯s finger tapped against a specific area.

    ¡°The Blein Forest.¡±

    Ma Tianhai¡¯s gaze swept over the unfurled map, then shifted back to Chen Ren.

    ¡°Daoist,¡± he said evenly, ¡°can you point to the location where you found Hong Yi¡¯s corpse? And where did you encounter the beast?¡±

    Chen Ren gave a slow nod, stepping forward to study the map. He didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªhesitation would only breed suspicion. Instead, he moved his finger with confidence, tapping a particular area within the Forest.

    ¡°Around here.¡± His voice was steady, his tone matter-of-fact. ¡°As for the beast that killed him¡­ I don¡¯t know its exact den, but it was a green fang direwolf¡ªa very powerful creature.¡±

    Both Ma Tianhai and Elder Kang exchanged a look before nodding.

    The following half-hour passed with them pressing for more details. They asked about the beast¡ªwhatever it had left as proof when it was gone. They inquired about the forest¡ªdangerous paths, notable landmarks, known settlements near the area. Each question was answered smoothly, effortlessly. Chen Ren had already constructed the entire narrative in his mind before even stepping foot in the sect. He was careful to provide just enough detail to make it believable while avoiding anything that could be easily disproved.

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    When their questions finally dwindled, he glanced up, offering them a polite smile.

    ¡°I believe you now have a solid idea of where you can find the beast,¡± he said. ¡°I would love to stay longer, but I have other commitments to attend to.¡±

    He fully expected them to try to detain him¡ªeither out of lingering suspicion or a desire to leverage his strength¡ªbut to his mild surprise, Sect Leader Ma only gave a slight nod.

    ¡°Thank you, Daoist,¡± he said sincerely. ¡°You have done a great service to my sect today. Please return anytime. The Blood Iron Sect will do its utmost to accommodate all your needs.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips curled into a gentle smile. ¡°Thank you for your hospitality, Sect Leader Ma Tianhai. Now, I should take my leave.¡±

    Elder Kang beside Ma Tianhai stepped forward. ¡°Allow me to escort you.¡±

    Chen Ren inclined his head in acknowledgment but remained alert as they walked together through the sect grounds. He observed everything¡ªthe disciples training in courtyards, the neatly maintained pathways, the defensive formations embedded into the walls. Yet, throughout the entire escort, nothing seemed amiss. No hushed conversations. No discreet gestures signaling hidden intent.

    Still, he maintained his composure, answering Elder Kang¡¯s occasional small talk with casual politeness until they reached the sect¡¯s barrier.

    At the boundary, Elder Kang came to a halt, bowing slightly.

    ¡°Thank you, Daoist. Safe travels.¡±

    Chen Ren returned the bow with the appropriate level of respect, then stepped through the barrier. Only once he had put some distance between himself and the sect did he exhale deeply¡ªthe breath he hadn¡¯t even realized he had been holding.

    He was calm, but his mind was already working through the next steps.

    That was inevitable. The Blood Iron Sect would send people to verify his claims, to look for any traces that the incident had truly occurred as he described. But he wasn¡¯t concerned. He had accounted for this from the beginning.

    If the sect conducted an investigation, they would find villages and towns near that region. Some of the locals might vaguely recall seeing a cultivator in Blood Iron Sect robes heading into the forest. That alone would lend credibility to his words.

    And if they searched for the beast?

    But what could they even do with it?

    Hong Yi¡¯s metaphorical remains had long been digested, his tracks erased by time. Even if the sect suspected that verifying the full truth was futile, they would still go through the motions. It was their last ditch attempt to confirm that Hong Yi was dead and they would never get their hands on the inheritance.

    Now, only one major problem left.

    As Chen Ren walked deeper into the forest, he slipped a hand into his robe and pulled out Yalan. He looked at the small kitten and fought the urge to pet it once again before he whispered.

    ¡°You think they¡¯re following us?¡±

    The little kitten stretched in her palm, her amber eyes searching behind.

    ¡°Yes,¡± she replied without hesitation. ¡°But I¡¯ll deal with them. They won¡¯t send anyone too strong, so it¡¯ll be easy. They won¡¯t even know what hit them.¡±

    Chen Ren gave a slight nod. He didn¡¯t need to say more¡ªYalan already knew what to do. With a flicker of movement, she crawled down his arm and disappeared into the underbrush. While moving away, he saw how her size increased to normal.

    He continued walking, his ears tuned for anything out of place. Minutes passed. Then ten. Then twenty. By the time thirty minutes had gone by, a faint sense of unease began to creep in.

    Just as the thought took root, a rustling in the trees made him pause. His muscles tensed instinctively, but before he could react, a familiar figure dropped soundlessly in front of him.

    Yalan had returned without a scratch.

    ¡°They sent three disciples,¡± she reported casually. ¡°All at the qi refinement realm. The last one was a bit tricky¡ªprobably had some kind of stealth technique¡ªbut I disposed of him. When they wake up, they won¡¯t even know what hit them.¡±

    She stretched lazily on the ground. ¡°Ma Tianhai will probably assume you noticed them and handled it yourself. And if he has half a brain, he won¡¯t bother with you any further.¡±

    Chen Ren exhaled quietly and nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s keep moving.¡±

    They continued their way out of the forest. Even though Yalan had assured him there was no one tailing them, Chen Ren found himself glancing over his shoulder more than once, a habit born of caution rather than fear. Only when they finally stepped into the outskirts of the small town did he let his shoulders relax.

    This time, instead of slipping into an alley, he walked straight toward the inn they had booked earlier. Moving with purpose, he headed for their room, pushing the door open before stepping inside. Only then did he reach up, remove his mask, and let out a long breath.

    ¡°I felt stuffed in that. Fuck, it was horrible,¡± he muttered, running a hand through his hair, and his face, and then he straightened. ¡°Anyway, we should get to the carriage. They¡¯re probably worrying by now.¡±

    Yalan smirked. ¡°Then let¡¯s not keep them waiting.¡±

    He nodded, and with that, they made their way out of the town. The road stretched before them, quiet under the waning moonlight. Chen Ren ran for an hour, his movements swift yet steady, conserving energy as he covered the distance. Eventually, the familiar outline of a slow-moving carriage came into view.

    As he neared, Zi Han caught sight of him first, a knowing smile tugging at her lips as he looked back from driving the carriage. Chen Ren merely nodded and signalled for it to stop and stood right besides it.

    The doors creaked open, and one by one, the others stepped out. Hong Yi was the first to approach him, his gaze wary, yet undeniably hopeful.

    ¡°So?¡± Hong Yi asked, moving from one foot to another. The man was clearly eager to know what had gone down with his previous sect. He knew how dangerous it had been for Chen Ren to go alone, considering that one little, subtle mistake could cost him his life.

    Chen Ren met his eyes evenly, and licked his lips that had been dried due to the wind. ¡°Well, what do you think, considering I¡¯m standing here?¡±

    For a moment, Hong Yi¡¯s face twisted with disbelief. He didn¡¯t to trust the words, but the proof was undeniable¡ªChen Ren was right in front of him, alive and well.

    ¡°It took some time, but I sold the story. They¡¯ll probably head to Blein Forest to verify it, but we¡¯ll be far gone by then. If you stay careful and keep a low profile for a while, you won¡¯t have any problems.¡±

    A sharp breath escaped Hong Yi. His shoulders slackened, and for the first time since their escape, the tension in his body truly faded. Chen Ren caught the subtle tremble in his hands, the way his eyes glistened as emotion welled up. Then, suddenly, Hong Yi dropped into a deep bow.

    ¡°You don¡¯t¨C¡±

    He stayed there.

    ¡°Thank you, Sect Leader Chen,¡± he said while his voice quivered with emotions. ¡°I, Hong Yi, won¡¯t disappoint you.¡±

    Chen Ren smiled faintly, shaking his head. ¡°I hope you don¡¯t,¡± he replied and placed his hand on top of Hong Yi¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Because I took a real risk for you.¡±

    Hong Yi straightened, clenching his fists and nodding. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to prove my usefulness.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°You will. After all, we¡¯ll have plenty of opportunities where we¡¯ll need your puppets.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sect leader Chen Ren. Anything you say, I will do. You¡¯ve saved my life!¡±

    ¡°Well, as long as you stay out of trouble that is.¡± He let the words hang for a moment before exhaling and stretching his arms. ¡°But first of all¡­ we have alcohol to sell.¡±

    ***

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 Chapter 71: A new city, new opportunity

    After being in this world for a while, Chen Ren had realized that despite there being a royal family at the center of the Empire, the distribution of power in every big city and its nearby region was different, depending on the clans and sects that dominated them. For example, even though Cloud Mist City had a city lord, there was no denying that the Soaring Sword Sect held a much stronger claim to power, being the Guardian sect of the region.

    Like Cloud Mist City, many other cities either had dominant clans or nearby sects sitting at the true center of power. Even when a city lord bore a noble title and officially governed, they could rarely act without considering these clans¡ªorganizations that had spent centuries cultivating generations of powerful individuals. Their deep-rooted history made them a force that couldn''t be ignored.

    Now that he thought about it, Red Peak City¡ªChen Ren¡¯s home¡ªwas much the same. The Chen Clan controlled most aspects of governance, despite the presence of an appointed city lord. It wasn¡¯t that city lords held no power; in some cities, their influence far outweighed that of sects or clans. But in most, it was either a delicate balance¡ªa 50-50 symbiotic relationship¡ªor the clans remained the real heavyweights in the region. Unfortunately, Ashen City fell into the latter category, with a few dominant clans holding the reins of power.

    It wasn¡¯t necessarily bad for Chen Ren¡ªexcept for one issue. These clans were used to having their way. With their wealth and their cultivators, they had established a near-monopoly on businesses in the city and surrounding settlements. Even during his journey toward Ashen City, he had noticed numerous small towns and trade hubs where businesses were clearly owned by these clans¡ªparticularly the Zhu Clan.

    The Zhu Clan was, without a doubt, the most powerful faction in Ashen City. More importantly, they owned a staggering number of pubs and taverns. If he could strike a business deal with them, he would have a constant market for his alcohol. But before he could dream of making a fortune and advancing his cultivation, he had to figure out a way to get their attention.

    ¡°What are you thinking, Sect Leader Chen?¡±

    Chen Ren blinked, pulled from his thoughts by Anji¡¯s voice. He turned to her, briefly considering his words before speaking. ¡°Just thinking about this place¡ªand the powers that occupy it.¡±

    As he spoke, he swept his gaze outside the carriage window, taking in the sight of Ashen City. They had entered the city a while back, and through the carriage¡¯s wooden frame, he could see just how bustling the streets were. Merchant stalls lined the roads, people weaved between buildings, and the energy of trade and power warmed the air. If he wanted to carve a place for himself here, he needed to act carefully.

    Yet, beneath the lively facade, something darker clung to the air.

    A thin layer of black soot floated through the city, barely perceptible unless one truly focused. It did not choke the lungs nor cloud the vision, but it was there¡ªsettling on rooftops, streaking the edges of signboards, dulling the once-bright hues of banners. Even the occasional cultivator who sped past through the streets at full speed left behind a faint swirl of black.

    Chen Ren sat within the carriage, one hand idly brushing against the wooden armrest. His gaze flickered toward the sky, where the sun¡¯s light strained to cut through the lingering haze. It was the mark of Ashen City¡¯s namesake¡ªthe legacy of a volcano that had erupted centuries ago. Though dormant, its breath still reached out, carried on the wind.

    A voice pulled him from his thoughts.

    "Are you worried that the Zhu Clan won¡¯t buy our alcohol?" Zi Han leaned forward and asked.

    Chen Ren chuckled, shaking his head. "They¡¯ll be interested. Their establishments cater to more than just mortals. Look around¡ªthis city teems with cultivators, and not the kind who shut themselves away in caves seeking enlightenment." His fingers tapped against his knee as he observed the crowd outside. "Most of them chase after beasts near the volcano, delve into caves for treasures, then return to spend their earnings on indulgence. They want fine food, warm company, and strong liquor. Ours will be exactly what they¡¯re looking for."

    He paused, his gaze sharpening. "The problem isn¡¯t demand. It¡¯s price. A clan like the Zhu won¡¯t pay fair coin if they can twist our arms into selling cheap. If we let them dictate the terms, we¡¯ll be left with crumbs while they feast."

    Zi Han frowned slightly, crossing his arms. "So what¡¯s your plan, Sect Master Chen? They have power, influence, and from what you are saying, they don¡¯t play fair."

    Anji, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "Do we even have leverage? If they decide to force us, what then?"

    Chen Ren smirked. "Clans are never monolithic. Rivalries exist¡ªboth within and outside. We just need to play them against each other."

    His fingers traced a slow circle on the wooden surface beside him, mind already running through possibilities. "The first step is a demonstration. Not just to them, but to the city itself. We need to make them feel like they our product, like they¡¯ll lose something if they don¡¯t act fast. The moment we turn the tables, it¡¯ll be them chasing ."

    Zi Han¡¯s expression eased into a comprehending smile. Anji gave a slow nod, understanding dawning in her eyes. Chen Ren turned to look outside; outside the carriage window, Ashen City sprawled before them.

    ***

    While Chen Ren and the others were away, Meadow Village was anything but quiet. Activity buzzed through its streets and courtyards, the air thick with the sounds of construction, training, and murmured conversations. And as Zi Wen made his way through the sect¡¯s compound, he bore witness to it all.

    He still wasn¡¯t sure if he should even call it a sect yet. Not in the way true sects were¡ªwhere towering halls loomed over vast training fields, where disciples practiced in neat ranks under the watchful eyes of elders, and where the weight of centuries settled into every stone and pillar. No, this wasn¡¯t that.

    But it would be. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Somewhere deep in his chest, an unshakable certainty had taken root. He couldn¡¯t explain it, but as he walked past the bustling activity, watching the pieces come together, he that the Divine Coin Sect was going to become something great.

    Through a window, he caught sight of the mortal members seated inside a modest hall, practicing their numbers on wooden slates, their faces scrunched in concentration. Numbers. Not sword techniques or spell incantations, but calculations.

    To anyone else, it might seem absurd, but Zi Wen had begun to understand the strange logic of his sect leader. A strong foundation wasn¡¯t just about physical power¡ªit was about knowledge, control, and mastery over more than just one¡¯s fists.

    Further ahead, Miss Tang Xiulan was hard at work, speaking with the builders as they fitted massive tubes into place and dug trenches along the sect grounds. Zi Wen frowned, watching as sweat glistened on their brows. Plumbing, they had called it.

    Another one of Sect Leader Chen¡¯s strange ideas.

    Zi Wen didn¡¯t understand it fully, but he had long since learned that when a sect leader spoke, it was better to listen. And although he still wasn''t fully sure of Chen Ren, he knew he was capable and at least had good ideas in that big brain of his.

    And the sect leader''s words and actions with the locust weren''t the only reason to believe in him.

    There was also Yalan, a white furred cat that rarely left Sect Leader''s Chen''s side, acting like an ordinary pet.

    But Zi Wen knew the truth.

    That was not a mere pet. Yalan was a master of the Meridian Expansion realm, a being whose strength dwarfed most cultivators who walked the land. And yet, she had willingly chosen to remain by Sect Leader Chen¡¯s side.

    The day he had found out still sent a chill through him. He had always something unusual about that cat¡ªan instinct, a whisper at the back of his mind. A spirit beast of that caliber lending its strength to the sect? The weight of that revelation had only cemented his belief.

    The Divine Coin Sect would not remain unknown for long.

    And as if that thought had summoned fate itself, he recalled Chen Ren¡¯s words before leaving.

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    "Zi Wen, if the sect is to grow, you will have a role to play."

    Not just as a disciple, not just as another follower. But as a cultivator who would help shape its future.

    And so, as he walked the paths of the sect, watching the pieces fall into place, Zi Wen exhaled slowly.

    For now, his task was clear. He had to train. He had to connect with his Dao. That was his sole goal.

    Connecting to his Dao was proving more difficult than he had expected. It wasn¡¯t as though he lacked hard work¡ªhe had cultivated diligently, followed Sect Leader Chen¡¯s advice, and even meditated beneath the old sycamore tree that overlooked the village. But clarity continued to elude him, like mist slipping through his fingers.

    Which was why he now found himself searching for Little Yuze.

    If he couldn¡¯t grasp his Dao on his own, then perhaps he could find inspiration elsewhere. The spirit wolf despite seeming like a harmless pet was strong and someone he had tamed. If he truly had Dao of Taming, then being near Little Yuze was definitely going to help.

    It didn¡¯t take long to find him.

    The distant sounds of movement and soft laughter drew Zi Wen¡¯s gaze toward the space that had become the training grounds. There, beneath the late afternoon sun, Luo Heng danced back and forth, his body shifting through clumsy yet determined steps. Opposite him, Little Yuze crouched low, tail wagging as he darted forward with swift but controlled strikes.

    Zi Wen¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. A movement technique?

    Luo Heng¡¯s breath came in ragged bursts as he leapt back from a claw swipe, his foot digging into the dirt. His brows furrowed in focus, and just as he landed, he shouted¡ª

    "[Drifting Cloud Steps!]"

    His form blurred ever so slightly, but before he could fully evade, his foot caught on uneven ground, and he stumbled.

    Little Yuze paused, his teal eyes blinking in amusement, clearly holding back.

    Luo Heng groaned, brushing dust from his clothes. ¡°Still not right¡­¡±

    Before he could try again, he heard the approaching footsteps and turned to see Zi Wen striding toward them.

    The boy straightened, wiping sweat from his forehead. ¡°Senior Brother Wen! What are you doing here?¡±

    Zi Wen smiled at the title. It was still unfamiliar, but¡­ pleasant.

    ¡°I¡¯m here to take Little Yuze for a walk.¡±

    Luo Heng nodded, rubbing the back of his head. ¡°That¡¯s fine. We¡¯ve been practicing for an hour anyway. But¡­ I¡¯m still not getting used to these techniques.¡± He looked down, his eyes proof of frustration.

    Zi Wen folded his arms. ¡°Take your time with it. They¡¯re only mortal-grade techniques¡ªif you rush, you¡¯ll trip over yourself more than you¡¯ll progress. Enjoy the process. You¡¯re still a new cultivator.¡±

    Luo Heng¡¯s eyes flickered with understanding before he gave a determined nod. ¡°Yes, I will, Senior Brother. I¡¯ll think on them while I tend to my field.¡±

    Zi Wen raised an eyebrow. ¡°You¡¯re still keeping up with your farm?¡±

    Luo Heng straightened his back with a hint of pride. ¡°Of course. Sect Leader Chen said I could, and now that the locusts are gone, I can finally care for my crops properly. Besides¡­¡± His voice softened slightly. ¡°I inherited it from my father. He passed away last year. I don¡¯t want to let it go.¡±

    Zi Wen studied the boy for a moment before nodding in understanding. ¡°Then keep at it.¡±

    Luo Heng grinned before bidding his farewell, jogging off toward the fields, his steps a little steadier than before.

    Zi Wen turned to Little Yuze, who watched him expectantly, tail flicking.

    ¡°Come,¡± he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. ¡°Let¡¯s take a walk.¡±

    Little Yuze let out a small huff before lowering himself to the ground. Zi Wen instinctively moved, and before he could think twice, he found himself atop the wolf¡¯s broad back.

    The forest stretched before them, dappled sunlight filtering through the thick canopy. The familiar path they took wound through towering trees, their roots twisting across the ground like the veins of the earth itself. The rustling of leaves accompanied their journey, but no wild beast dared approach them.

    Zi Wen sat upright, letting the wind brush against his face. The soft fur beneath his hands was warm, and the steady rhythm of Little Yuze¡¯s movements lulled him into a quiet calm.

    For the first time in days, his thoughts settled. His mind calmed and his always raising heartbeat was at pace. The frustration of failing to connect with his Dao faded into the background, carried away by the wind. A long, slow sigh left his lips, and he closed his eyes, letting himself sink into the moment.

    Before he knew it, they had arrived.

    The hilltop was in front of them. The air was fresher here, the scent of damp earth and wildflowers mixing together in a way that felt¡­ grounding.

    Little Yuze came to a stop and gently lowered him to the ground before stepping forward and pressing his head against Zi Wen¡¯s chest.

    A small laugh escaped him, and he ran his fingers through the wolf¡¯s fur, rubbing and scratching at all the familiar spots. The way Little Yuze leaned into his touch made his heart feel a little lighter.

    But then, his hands stilled.

    The wolf looked up at him, teal eyes twinkling with curiosity. What¡¯s wrong? they seemed to ask.

    Zi Wen exhaled softly and shook his head. ¡°Nothing much,¡± he murmured. ¡°I was just wondering¡­ am I really someone who can be a Beastmaster?¡±

    Little Yuze blinked at him.

    ¡°The Dao of Taming exists, but I never thought it would be my path,¡± Zi Wen continued. His voice was calm, but a hint of hesitation lingered. ¡°Sect Leader Chen fully believes it is, but¡­ I don¡¯t know. I feel like I¡¯m stuck.¡±

    For a moment, there was only silence. Then, without warning, a wet tongue dragged across his face.

    Zi Wen recoiled. ¡°Ugh¡ª!¡±

    Little Yuze let out a series of short, excited woofs, his tail wagging as if to say,

    Zi Wen wiped at his face, but a reluctant smile tugged at his lips. ¡°¡­Yeah. You¡¯re right. I should stop overthinking. Just because I haven¡¯t connected to my Dao yet doesn¡¯t mean I should be anxious about it.¡±

    Still, a thought lingered in his mind.

    ¡°I just¡­¡± His fingers curled slightly. ¡°I don¡¯t think I can fully give up on the Martial Dao.¡±

    Little Yuze tilted his head.

    ¡°I used to love training,¡± Zi Wen admitted, his voice softer now, as if he were speaking more to himself than to his companion. ¡°I thought I¡¯d become an immortal cultivator one day¡ªslaying demons, fighting powerful enemies, becoming someone worthy of legends¡ª¡±

    He paused.

    A thought entered his mind, quiet but undeniable.

    His eyes drifted to Little Yuze.

    The memory of those long days resurfaced¡ªthe endless hours of striking dummies, the exhaustion of drilling techniques over and over again, the aching limbs and bruised knuckles. He remembered the initial rush of excitement whenever he learned something new, the thrill of growing stronger¡­ but that feeling always faded, replaced by repetition.

    It had been rewarding, yes. But had it been fun?

    Right now, as he sat beside Little Yuze, scratching behind his ears, the warmth of the afternoon sun on his skin¡­ he couldn¡¯t deny it.

    This moment, this feeling¡ªthis was happiness.

    Even playing with that mischievous squirrel, Whis Ke, had been fun.

    But had he ever felt this way about his martial training?

    Zi Wen lowered his gaze, lost in thought.

    Perhaps¡­ he had been walking the wrong path all along.

    Zi Wen stared at the sky, watching as the clouds drifted by, his fingers idly running through the wolf¡¯s fur.

    He exhaled.

    The realization settled over him like a quiet tide.

    His past wasn¡¯t a mistake¡ªit had been good in its own way. But had he been truly happy?

    No.

    It was nostalgia that had clouded his thoughts.

    Back then, he had walked the path of the Martial Dao because it had been his childhood dream. He had believed himself to be ¡ªa favored son of the heavens, destined for greatness. But that had been nothing more than a story he told himself, a fantasy spun from the arrogance of youth.

    Reality had been different.

    But this¡­

    Zi Wen glanced at Little Yuze, the steady rise and fall of his breathing, the warmth of his presence.

    This different.

    The connection he had with the wolf wasn¡¯t something written in fate or dictated by the heavens. It was something real, something forged through time, care, and trust.

    Maybe he hadn¡¯t been chosen by the heavens.

    But he had been chosen to meet Little Yuze, to take care of him, to befriend him.

    And that¡ª

    That was enough.

    Just then, a strange sensation pulsed through him, a warmth curling in his chest, unfamiliar yet natural. His breath hitched, his fingers twitching against Little Yuze¡¯s fur.

    His eyes widened.

    He turned sharply to the wolf. ¡°Did you feel that?¡±

    Little Yuze blinked at him before tilting his head, a picture of pure confusion.

    Zi Wen¡¯s pulse quickened.

    Without another word, he shifted into a meditative position, his breathing steadying.

    If this what he thought it was¡ªif this was the moment where he finally shed his Martial Dao and stepped onto a new path¡ªthen he couldn¡¯t let it slip away.

    He closed his eyes and let the world around him fade. And then, as he focused inward, he found himself in his Star Space¡ªthat vast, endless expanse within him. A place where the echoes of his Dao awaited. And for the first time, he reached forward, not toward the path he had once believed in¡ª

    But toward the path that had already been waiting for him.

    ***

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 Chapter 72: Best alcohol in the world

    Their whole party took a day to get accustomed to Ashen City.

    It was far bigger than any place most of them had ever visited. Even Cloud Mist City, which had once seemed massive, paled in comparison. After all, Ashen City was the third largest city in the entire empire, rich with life, trade, and power.

    While they stayed at an inn, Chen Ren wasted no time. He sent his people out to gather every bit of information they could about the local bars, taverns, and clans. In a city this large, specifics were hard to come by, but after a night of careful but precise inquiries and subtle negotiations, he had a decent grasp of the major powers and how best to approach them.

    As his subordinates moved through the streets, collecting details and rumors, he once again felt grateful that he had worked on recruitment. Having more people under him wasn¡¯t just convenient¡ªit was a necessity. It made everything smoother, faster, and more efficient. Once he secured a proper contract for his supply chain, he planned to hand the entire distribution process over to Zi Han. The man was the most enthusiastic about this venture, and he would thrive handling the logistics.

    With the information he needed in hand, Chen Ren didn¡¯t waste another moment.

    He gave out commands to his people, setting their roles in motion, and then personally made his way toward the largest bar in Ashen City¡ª The Alehouse, one of the main establishments of the Zhu Family.

    The building was a large three-story wooden structure, its wide entrance marked with the Zhu Family¡¯s distinct crest. Even from outside, Chen Ren could hear the dull murmur of voices, the occasional burst of laughter, and the clatter of mugs.

    Despite it being morning, a quarter of the bar was still filled with patrons. Some sat nursing their drinks, either still awake from the previous night or starting early for the day. A few were sprawled across the large tables, clearly having passed out sometime before dawn.

    Anji, who had accompanied him, shuddered slightly at the atmosphere but didn¡¯t complain.

    Together, they walked toward the main counter, where two people¡ªa man and a woman¡ªsat at a polished wooden desk. Both bore the Zhu Family¡¯s insignia on their chests, marking them as members of the clan.

    As Chen Ren took a seat, the woman leaned forward with a professional yet somewhat disinterested smile.

    "What type of drink would you like? We also serve light snacks to go with them."

    The woman gestured to the board behind her, where the prices of the alcohol were listed. The cheapest drink started at 50 copper wen per glass, while the higher-end ones went for 100 copper wen.

    He resisted the urge to raise an eyebrow.

    Considering how people had complained about his 5 copper wen noodles being expensive, these prices were on an entirely different level. But he understood why¡ªalcohol was still a luxury in the continent. Most common folk didn¡¯t drink it daily, and when they did, they usually settled for cheap liquor rather than the high-quality brews offered in establishments like this.

    Ignoring the prices, he turned back to the woman and smiled.

    "I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m not here to drink or try snacks. Instead, I¡¯d like to meet the manager of this place¡ªI have a new drink for him to try."

    At his words, the woman blinked in confusion, clearly not expecting that answer. Before she could respond, the man sitting beside her, who had overheard the conversation, glanced over and approached them.

    He crossed his arms. "I¡¯m sorry, but Manager Zhu Yuan doesn¡¯t meet just anyone. He¡¯s a busy man."

    Chen Ren¡¯s smile didn¡¯t waver. "I know. He only meets reputable people."

    The man nodded. "Then you should understand that if you don¡¯t¡ª"

    "And I would like to tell you that I¡¯m one such person," Chen Ren interrupted smoothly, pulling something out of his robes.

    The two employees tensed slightly, but their expressions shifted as he placed his sect crest on the counter, sliding it toward them.

    A small but unmistakable emblem with the dragon gleamed under the lamp, its design distinct¡ªthe crest of the Divine Coin Sect.

    The man and woman exchanged glances, now looking at him with a mix of curiosity and caution.

    The woman hesitated before asking, "You¡¯re from a sect?"

    Chen Ren nodded. "Not just any sect. The Divine Coin Sect. And not only that¡ªI was born into the Chen Clan that controls Red Peak City. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve heard of them."

    Their eyes widened slightly. Even if they hadn¡¯t personally dealt with the Chen Clan, it was a well-known name, being one of the more famous clans in the empire.

    He leaned forward slightly. "My name is Chen Ren, and I can tell you this¡ªthe opportunity my sect wants to discuss with the Zhu Clan is something you won¡¯t regret."

    A pause followed, just as he had expected. They weren¡¯t foolish enough to immediately believe him, but they also couldn¡¯t outright dismiss someone from a sect and an influential clan.

    After a moment, the man nodded toward the woman, and she disappeared into the back. Likely to fetch the manager.

    As they waited, Chen Ren turned to Anji, who seemed more relaxed now.

    He smirked. "See? This is something you should learn if you¡¯re going to take part in business."

    She raised an eyebrow. "What? How to interrupt people?"

    "No," he chuckled. "Background is everything. If I were just a normal merchant, they¡¯d have thrown me out. But being from a reputable clan and sect makes them reconsider."

    Anji shrugged. "I still think they would¡¯ve let you in if you just told them you¡¯re a Cultivator."

    "Maybe," Chen Ren admitted with a shrug. "But most members of our sect aren¡¯t Cultivators. Even you aren¡¯t."

    At that, he noticed a slight twitch in Anji¡¯s expression, something brief but telling.

    He chose to ignore it and continued, "That¡¯s why you need to learn how to throw your background around. And even if you don¡¯t have a background¡ªmake one."

    Anji shot him an unimpressed look, but before she could respond, he smirked. "You look good enough for them to believe you come from a reputable clan."

    A faint flush dusted her cheeks.

    Before anything else could be said, the door to the back swung open. The female worker from before stepped out, followed by a bigger man¡ªbroad-shouldered and round-faced, with a three-day-old beard that made him look slightly unkempt. His clothes were well-tailored, but there was no hiding the slight bloat in his features or the lingering scent of alcohol that clung to him.

    Chen Ren instantly pegged him as someone who enjoyed his own stock a little too much.

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    Yet, despite that, the man wasn¡¯t old¡ªhe was around Chen Ren¡¯s age, maybe a year or two older.

    The man approached the counter, placing a large palm on the wooden surface as his gaze settled neutrally on Chen Ren. "I heard you¡¯re from a sect and wish to discuss a business opportunity with the Zhu Clan."

    Chen Ren smiled, unfazed. "For Zhu Alehouse, mostly."

    A single brow lifted, but there was a subtle shift in the man¡¯s posture, an indicator that he was taking this more seriously now.

    "So, what¡¯s the deal?"

    Chen Ren chuckled. "Why don¡¯t you try it for yourself?"

    At that, he glanced at Anji, who swiftly pulled out a small container she had been carrying. The moment Chen Ren uncorked it, a rich, potent aroma of distilled spirits filled the air.

    The fat manager and the two workers instinctively leaned forward, eyes drawn to the swirling liquid inside.

    It was clear, almost too clear, yet had a subtle shimmer. Unlike the thick, golden-brown ales they were used to, this drink looked deceptively light¡ªbut the scent told an entirely different story.

    Zhu Yuan narrowed his eyes. "You¡¯re trying to sell alcohol to the best bar in town?"

    Chen Ren grinned. "No. I¡¯m selling the best alcohol."

    A slight silence followed before the manager let out a sigh and grabbed a glass. He poured himself a small amount, lifting it to eye level before finally taking a sip.

    The moment it touched his tongue, his face changed instantly.

    Chen Ren knew what the man was experiencing. A sharp burn, across his mouth and down his throat¡ªlike fire igniting every nerve. His face contorted in surprise, and he coughed silently before blinking at Chen Ren in shock.

    "My tongue feels like it¡¯s burning. What the hell is this?"

    Chen Ren leaned against the counter, smirking. "The strongest drink you¡¯ll ever try. Gives a nice little kick, doesn¡¯t it?"

    The man didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, he took another sip, slower this time¡ªtrying to savor the burn. It wasn¡¯t just fire; underneath the intensity, there was a smoothness, a depth that cheap grain alcohol didn¡¯t have.

    Visibly, he let the drink roll over his tongue, exhaling slightly as he finally admitted, "It does¡­ yeah, it really does."

    Then he paused, looking at Chen Ren more seriously now.

    "I haven¡¯t tried anything like this before. Where did you get it?"

    Chen Ren smiled easily. "My sect has an elder who''s interested in spirit-making. He ended up creating this, and now we''re trying to ensure his work reaches the rest of the Kalian Empire."

    A blatant lie.

    But talking about elders would make the manager think their sect was bigger and more influential than he had originally assumed¡ªworth forming connections with.

    Just as Chen Ren had expected, the fat man stroked his chin, looking thoughtful. "What was the name of your sect again?"

    "Divine Coin Sect," Chen Ren answered smoothly.

    The man frowned. "Never heard of it."

    Chen Ren chuckled. "We like to stay low-key. But our new sect leader is trying to change that¡ªhe wants our name to spread across the continent. And what better way than through our creations?"

    Zhu Yuan hummed, his lips twitching. He looked interested, at the very least.

    Chen Ren took the chance to press further. "So, what do you think? Would you be interested in a supply contract?"

    The manager leaned back slightly, considering. "I can consider it."

    Then came the real test.

    "How much will you be selling it for?"

    Chen Ren glanced at the container Anji had placed on the counter, then turned back to the man. "That depends on how much you can shell out."

    He wasn''t going to name a price first. He wanted to see what kind of offer the manager would make.

    The fat man rubbed his chin, then finally said, "Thirty silver wen per container."

    Chen Ren¡¯s smile didn¡¯t waver, but internally, he scoffed. As expected, the man was trying to shortchange him.

    With everything required to make moonshine¡ªhigh-quality grains, fermentation agents, distillation materials¡ªhis total cost of production already sat at twenty-five silver wen per container.

    And that wasn¡¯t even counting the labor costs.

    Zhu Yuan knew the value of a product like this. Clearly, he¡¯d been in this business for a long time. A single container held enough alcohol for 20 to 30 glasses, and considering the prices listed earlier, the tavern could easily sell each glass for 2 to 5 silver wen.

    If they marketed it as a luxury drink or something suited for cultivators, the price could soar even higher.

    Yet, despite that, the manager was offering a measly 30 silver wen?

    Chen Ren¡¯s neutral expression didn¡¯t change. But in his mind, he was already deciding on his counteroffer.

    Chen Ren had come here expecting this kind of back-and-forth, so he didn''t seem the least bit fazed.

    "I''m sorry," he said. "That''s not a price I''m willing to sell it for."

    Zhu Yuan frowned but quickly responded. "Fine. 35 silver wen. I won¡¯t go beyond that."

    His voice carried absolute certainty, like he thought he was making a generous offer. "You know our bar is the best in the city. You won¡¯t get better rates anywhere else."

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips curled into a relaxed smile. "I¡¯ll see about that."

    The manager narrowed his eyes. "You¡¯re planning to sell it to other establishments?" His voice carried a more serious weight now. "The Zhu Clan might not like that."

    Chen Ren met his gaze straight and raised his eyebrow. "Are you trying to threaten me?"

    Zhu Yuan shook his head quickly. "No, but I think you should understand that we''re the biggest clan in Ashen City. If you get into business with another pub, we might take offense." He leaned forward slightly. "I believe you already know that¡ªotherwise, you wouldn¡¯t have come here first."

    Chen Ren¡¯s smile widened. "I don¡¯t think so."

    The manager blinked. "What do you mean?"

    Chen Ren chuckled. "Right now, my men are in every other pub in town¡ªshowing off this creation."

    A flicker of displeasure crossed the fat man¡¯s face.

    "The Zhu Clan won¡¯t like that," he warned.

    Chen Ren¡¯s expression darkened slightly, and his voice carried a dangerous undertone. "I don¡¯t know if you understand, but you¡¯re standing in front of a cultivator."

    The manager visibly tensed, his confidence cracking for the first time.

    Chen Ren let the silence hang for a moment before adding, "Moreover, the Zhu Clan might be the biggest in the city, but do you really want to offend a sect like ours?"

    Silence.

    Zhu Yuan clearly didn¡¯t know how big the Divine Coin Sect actually was, and that uncertainty worked in Chen Ren¡¯s favor. Even if the manager had never heard of it, going against a sect was never a wise move.

    Seeing that he had made his point, Chen Ren turned away.

    "I¡¯ll be staying at the Heavenly Sleep Inn if you change your mind," he said casually. Then, without sparing the manager another glance, he walked out of the tavern with Anji following close behind.

    ***

    Chen Ren sat cross-legged on the bed. He looked around at the small room in Heavenly Sleep Inn.

    Across from him, Zi Han and Hong Yi sat with straight backs, their faces composed but expectant. Anji, still getting used to these kinds of discussions, leaned slightly against the bedpost, listening carefully. On the far side of the bed, Whiskey was curled up, peacefully napping. As for Yalan, she was out, likely gathering information or exploring the city.

    Chen Ren finally broke the silence.

    "Yes? So what happened?."

    Zi Han and Hong Yi exchanged glances before Zi Han took the lead.

    "It was as you predicted, Sect Leader," he said. "The bars liked the product. Both places, Shuang Guan and Phoenix Tear Tavern agreed to meet us after we mentioned our sect and let them try the moonshine. They enjoyed it, but..." He hesitated. "They were only willing to pay 20 silver wen per container."

    Hong Yi picked up from there. "After some negotiation, we got them to raise the price to 35 and 40, but they refused to go higher. We tried a few other places, but it was the same story."

    Chen Ren nodded thoughtfully. 40 silver wen wasn¡¯t bad, and he could turn a solid profit at that rate. But he also knew moonshine was worth far more. With its high concentration, Cultivators in the city would go crazy for it, and those kinds of customers wouldn¡¯t blink before dropping 5 to 6 silver wen for a single glass.

    That meant there was still a lot of room to push the price up.

    He looked at the people gathered around him and smirked. "Sounds like things are going according to plan."

    Anji raised an eyebrow. "Does it? I thought you wanted a higher price?"

    Chen Ren chuckled. "I do. But right now, they only know our product is good¡ªthey haven''t seen its full potential."

    Zi Han¡¯s eyes sharpened. "You mean¡­?"

    Chen Ren leaned forward slightly. "We need to raise its demand in the city. Once the demand is high enough, these establishments won¡¯t have a choice. They¡¯ll be pushing each other out of the way just to get a supply deal with us, no matter what price we set."

    The room fell silent for a moment before Hong Yi asked, "And how do we do that, Sect Leader?"

    Chen Ren¡¯s smirk widened. "I already have a plan for that."

    ***

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 Chapter 73: Finding your dao

    Luo Heng''s fists crashed against the boulder.

    "[Mountain Splitting Strike!]"

    A surge of energy coursed through his limbs, filling him with the illusion of boundless strength. His knuckles met stone, the direct impact sent a dull vibration up his arm, and for a small second, he felt as if he could shatter mountains¡ªbut when the dust settled, only a minor dent marred the rock¡¯s surface.

    He withdrew his hand and unclenched it, feeling the warmth of the power that had just moved inside him.

    He grinned at what happened. A week ago, attempting this would have left him with shattered bones. Now, as a cultivator of the Divine Coin Sect, he was more than just mortal and the strength flowing through his veins was proof of that.

    He stood up on the hill that overlooked the village, and continued his training.

    Below, villagers passed by on the worn dirt path, their baskets heavy with tools and seeds. He recognized many of them¡ªpeople he had grown up alongside. He waved. Normally, they¡¯d have stopped for a quick conversation, or even made a light joke in the passerby. But things had changed.

    They hesitated, offered a quick bow, then hurried on.

    Luo Heng sighed, lowering his hand. He was used to it now. Ever since he had stepped into the path of cultivation; and in between the little time that had passed, everything had changed.

    It wasn¡¯t the sect¡¯s fault¡ªmortal members were still treated kindly and they had a pretty good reputation in the village. It was the title of ¡®cultivator¡¯ that made the difference.

    Sect Leader Chen had once told him that many cultivators were arrogant and unapproachable, making mortals wary of them. Luo Heng understood that. He had been a mortal for most of his life.

    He just hadn¡¯t expected to be on the receiving end of that distance. It was odd to see such a big difference in such a short time, and he found himself nodding awkwardly more than ten times a day when they bowed so deeply.

    Shaking his head, he turned back to the boulder, preparing to strike again¡ªbut his gaze drifted toward the sky. The sun hung low, streaking the horizon with gold. He suddenly realised that the time to practice was over and he had to give his attention to a different type of training than just trying to smash boulders.

    He exhaled through his nose, letting out the frustration. "I need to think," he murmured.

    Turning away from his training, he made his way down the hills toward his farmlands.

    As he arrived, his mind calmed¡ªrelief flooded. The scars of the locust infestation were healing. The earth, once barren, was tilled anew. Fresh sprouts pushed through the soil, fragile yet resilient.

    Luo Heng smiled, his heart warming with emotions. The next harvest would be a good one. The village would recover.

    And maybe, given time, so would he.

    He moved toward the large tree overlooking his farmlands, the rough bark a familiar comfort beneath his hand as he sat down. He exhaled deeply, the scent of freshly tilled earth filling his lungs and the golden light rays from the sun warning him.

    He reached into his robes and pulled out a book¡ª"Dao: The Path of a Cultivator."

    Sect Leader Chen had given it to him, saying it was an essential guide. As he turned it around and admired the ancient parchment, he realised that it hadn¡¯t done him much good¡ªhe could barely read it.

    Miss Tang Xiulan had helped him decipher the words, but even then, the book made his head hurt. The letters made his insides cry. It was the most philosophical nonsense he had ever read. At times, he even felt like it¡¯d been better if he could just throw it away and never look at it.

    Apparently, cultivators weren¡¯t just people who absorbed energy and acted like gods. They had to choose a path¡ªtheir Dao¡ªand dedicate themselves to it. It was a complex process, but an extremely essential one.

    Miss Xiulan had explained that the book mainly focused on the Martial Dao, but Sect Leader Chen had insisted there were many Daos beyond just that.

    His Senior Brother Zi Wen was proof of that. He had connected with the Dao of Taming, and somehow¡ªLuo Heng still didn¡¯t understand how¡ªthat had made Little Yuze, his wolf, stronger.

    Stronger, bigger, and with sharper teeth.

    It was scary. Luo Heng frowned. That was exactly why he preferred boulders now. Boulders didn¡¯t have fangs or claws that could accidentally tear him apart.

    Chuckling to himself, he flipped open the book.

    The words blurred before his eyes¡ªstill gibberish. But the illustrations caught his attention. They depicted a cultivator sitting in a meditative stance, seeking to connect with their Dao.

    Luo Heng sighed. He knew he was supposed to do the same.

    But despite training, despite learning techniques, despite trying to force himself to love martial arts¡­

    He still felt no closer to Martial Dao.

    Luo Heng flipped through the pages, eyes scanning the words that Miss Xiulan had patiently helped him decipher. The Martial Dao was said to be the easiest to connect with. It was the foundation of countless cultivation paths, the most direct route to strength.

    And yet¡ªhe felt nothing.

    According to Sect Leader Chen, there were always other paths. Maybe he was meant to be an alchemist, refining herbs into miraculous pills. Or perhaps an array master, manipulating space itself with complex formations. He could always learn and advance if they were meant to be his path. Because the books spoke of such people with reverence, describing their abilities as mysterious and unfathomable.

    But Luo Heng had never so much as held a cauldron. And even if the idea of learning alchemy intrigued him, it was curiosity, not a pull.

    That was what Senior Brother Zi Wen had described¡ªa pull, an undeniable instinct. When he had found Little Yuze, he had known, deep in his heart, that they were meant to be together. Like something in the universe had clicked into place.

    Luo Heng felt none of that.

    Martial arts were cool, but that was it. Alchemy sounded fun, but he had never liked fire. Maybe it was because of his Earth-aspected roots. And as for arrays¡­ he wouldn¡¯t even know where to start.

    It left him stranded.

    He sighed, staring down at the book before smacking it against his forehead.

    "Am I just untalented?" he muttered.

    He knew his spiritual roots were weak. That much had been clear from the beginning. But Sect Leader Chen had said that a strong Dao could overcome weak roots¡ªif only he could find it.

    Luo Heng exhaled, shaking off the creeping doubts. His gaze drifted past the book, past his hands, past his confusion¡ªtoward the farmlands below.

    The soil had been freshly tilled, dark and rich, the first hints of green peeking through in delicate sprouts. The smell of earth was thick in the air, damp with the promise of growth. The more he focused, the thicker the smell felt, like . He could already imagine it¡ªin a few months, the fields would be full, bursting with life. Stalks of golden wheat swaying in the wind, their heads heavy with grain. Rows of leafy greens stretching toward the sun, their leaves glistening with morning dew.

    Over by the lower fields, he pictured a rice paddy, the water shimmering under the sunlight, reflecting the sky like a giant mirror. Further ahead, rows of vegetables¡ªlush cabbages, their leaves curled tightly, bright red chili peppers, standing tall, and bean vines creeping up wooden poles, twirling toward the heavens.

    A deep warmth settled in his chest.

    And then¡ªsomething stirred.

    It was faint at first, like a ripple in a pond. But as he let his mind wander, as he envisioned the farm flourishing, that ripple turned into a current. A strange energy seeped into him, flowing through his veins like the steady pulse of the earth beneath his feet.

    Luo Heng''s breath caught.

    Qi.

    Instinctively, his hand drifted to his chest, feeling the unfamiliar sensation pooling in his dantian. Was this it?

    Was this¡­ his Dao?

    A memory surfaced¡ªa conversation with Sect Leader Chen.

    Luo Heng¡¯s hands clenched into fists.

    He turned his gaze back to the fields¡ªnot to the past, but to the future.

    He saw what could be¡ªnot just crops, not just survival, but abundance. A farm unlike any other, a place where the land flourished beyond mortal limitations. A place where he could cultivate, not through battle and bloodshed, but through nurturing life itself.

    And as that thought took root, more Qi rushed into his dantian.

    It wasn¡¯t violent like a martial technique. It wasn¡¯t blazing like the fire of an alchemist¡¯s cauldron.

    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    It was steady. Grounded. Deep.

    Like the earth beneath him, unshakable.

    ***

    Young Master Zhu Renjie of the Zhu Clan strode through the bustling streets of Ashen City, his smug smile on full display for everyone to see.

    Today couldn¡¯t be better.

    He had finally bested his second cousin in a spar¡ªa feat that had eluded him for far too long. Both of them were body gorging realm cultivators, but his cousin had always been stronger, taller, tougher. Yet today, Zhu Renjie had proven himself superior. He had defeated the guy so badly that it would be spoken in his clan for quite some more time.

    And what better way to celebrate than to parade through the streets, soaking in the admiration of the common folk?

    As he moved, the people of Ashen City recognized him. Their heads dipped in respectful bows, some murmuring greetings, others keeping their gazes lowered in deference.

    This. This was why he preferred walking over taking a carriage.

    There was a certain thrill in seeing mortals bow before him. A reminder that he was not just anyone, but Young Master Zhu Renjie of the main branch of the Zhu Clan. A cultivator. A man destined for greatness. A man that should be feared by the many.

    And the feeling of being revered was intoxicating.

    One of his lackeys, Luo Min, leaned in with an eager smile. ¡°Young Master, are we going to the same place?¡± Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Renjie smirked. ¡°Of course. There¡¯s no better place to celebrate.¡±

    His other lackey, Wu Phan, chuckled knowingly.

    And so, the three of them continued their leisurely stroll until they reached their destination¡ªa towering, four-story establishment that gleamed even beneath the dusky sky. The Scarlet Pavilion.

    It was the most renowned courtesan house in all of Ashen City. The exterior alone boasted wealth, with red lanterns hanging elegantly from carved eaves and silk drapes shielding the entrance from prying eyes.

    Without hesitation, Renjie stepped inside, his lackeys close behind.

    The moment he entered, the receptionist, Manager Qiu, straightened and quickly greeted him with a deep bow.

    ¡°Young Master Zhu! You honor us with your presence today. The Scarlet Pavilion has missed you.¡±

    Renjie flicked his sleeve with arrogance. ¡°I¡¯ve been occupied with my cultivation. But tonight, I celebrate a victory over my second cousin. I am sure you know what to do.¡±

    Manager Qiu¡¯s expression lit up. ¡°A most worthy occasion, Young Master! Allow me to summon our finest courtesans for you. Please, take a seat¡ªwe shall serve you and your esteemed friends at once.¡±

    With that, Renjie strode toward the lavish seating area, already anticipating the indulgence that awaited him. He settled into the center seat, sprawling comfortably as his lackeys took their places on either side. The sweet smell of incense and perfume filled his nostrils, and the faint music blending with the soft laughter of courtesans in the background was just what he needed.

    A moment later, servers arrived, setting down a tray of fine porcelain cups and a bottle of unfamiliar liquor.

    Renjie lifted his cup, his brows furrowing as he inspected the liquid within. A white coloured drink swirled inside, reflecting the candlelight in an oddly mesmerizing way.

    His smirk faded slightly. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve seen this before. It¡¯s not what I usually get when I come here.¡±

    Manager Qiu, who had been watching closely, immediately stepped forward. ¡°Ah, Young Master, you have a keen eye! This is moonshine¡ªa special drink, unique in the whole world.¡± He puffed out his chest, lowering his voice conspiratorially. ¡°We¡¯ve only managed to acquire a single bottle of it. It¡¯s strong¡ªperfect for cultivators. I¡¯m sure you will love it.¡±

    Renjie¡¯s smirk returned. ¡°Hmph. Let me be the judge of that.¡±

    He swirled the moonshine in his cup, inhaling the sharp, potent scent before taking a slow sip.

    The burn hit instantly, searing its way down his throat, but instead of coughing, Renjie let the warmth spread through him, his eyes widening in surprise. There was a depth to the taste, a fire that felt almost invigorating, as if it were fueling his qi instead of dulling his senses.

    Meanwhile, his lackeys, Luo Min and Wu Phan, had taken cautious sips of their own¡ªonly to cough violently, their faces scrunching up as they struggled to handle the burn.

    Renjie let out a low chuckle, finishing the rest of his cup in one smooth motion before slamming it down on the table. ¡°Now this is good. Strong. Just how I like it.¡±

    Luo Min wiped his mouth, still wheezing. ¡°Y-Young Master, do you truly like this stuff?¡±

    Renjie shot him a sharp look. ¡°What would you know? This is real liquor. It can satisfy a cultivator like me.¡±

    Then, without hesitation, he eyed their still-full cups and snatched them both up before they could protest.

    ¡°If you¡¯re not drinking it, I will.¡±

    And just like that, he downed both their drinks in a few gulps, the burn intensifying but only making him crave more.

    Turning back to Manager Qiu, he set his cup down with a loud clunk, eyes gleaming. ¡°Bring me more.¡±

    The receptionist hesitated for a second, but seeing Renjie¡¯s expression, he quickly nodded and signaled for another serving.

    One after another, Renjie drained each new cup, his head growing light, a pleasant buzz settling in his mind. Yet instead of dulling his senses, the moonshine made him feel alive, his qi subtly humming in response to his good mood.

    After finishing yet another glass, he leaned back and exhaled. ¡°Good stuff.¡±

    Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he turned to Manager Qiu, waving lazily. ¡°Send a crate of this to my estate.¡±

    Manager Qiu¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°A¡­ a crate?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± Zhu Renjie leaned forward, propping his elbow on the armrest as he gazed lazily at Manager Qiu. ¡°Make it a full crate.¡±

    The manager, who had been about to instruct the servers, suddenly froze. A flicker of hesitation crossed his face before he forced a polite smile. ¡°Ah¡­ I can¡¯t, Young Master.¡±

    Renjie¡¯s expression darkened instantly. ¡°What?¡±

    Manager Qiu¡¯s fingers twitched, clearly regretting his words. ¡°W-What I mean is¡­ we don¡¯t have a full crate.¡±

    Renjie¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Then bring me whatever you have.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s just it, Young Master.¡± Manager Qiu hesitated, then spoke quickly, trying to appease him. ¡°We¡­ only had one bottle. There¡¯s no more stock.¡±

    A beat of silence.

    Then, a sharp crack echoed through the hall as Renjie slammed his hand against the table. His Qi flared just enough to make the nearby cups tremble.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± he demanded, his voice sharp with irritation. ¡°Where did you get it from?¡±

    The manager paled but quickly shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know, Young Master! A man came here yesterday, selling moonshine. He claimed it was made for cultivators, and I thought I¡¯d buy a bottle to see if our esteemed guests would enjoy it¡­ But I don¡¯t know who he is or where he came from.¡±

    Renjie clicked his tongue, glaring. ¡°Useless.¡±

    Manager Qiu swallowed hard, lowering his head as Renjie shoved himself up from his seat.

    ¡°I¡¯ll find more of this alcohol myself.¡± His robes flared as he turned toward the door.

    Behind him, Manager Qiu called out hastily, ¡°Young Master! What about the courtesans?¡±

    Renjie didn¡¯t even glance back. ¡°I don¡¯t care about them right now. I need more moonshine until I¡¯m satisfied.¡±

    His voice was filled with genuine hunger, his pulse quickening at the thought of tasting that burn again. It had been so long since he¡¯d found a drink that could actually make his qi stir and mind dizzy¨Cin a good way. He needed to find this.

    Leaving his stunned lackeys behind, he strode swiftly into the streets, his feet automatically taking him toward the only place he thought might have it.

    The Alehouse.

    It wasn¡¯t the most dignified establishment out of everything his clan owned, but if anyone in this wretched city had rare liquor, it would be there. Pushing through the heavy wooden doors, he stepped inside, his presence commanding attention. His gaze landed immediately on a man and woman behind the counter.

    Without hesitation, he took a step forward, voice booming loud across the room.

    ¡°I, Zhu Renjie, Young Master of the Zhu Clan, need moonshine!¡±

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

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 Chapter 74: Creating demand

    Shen Bao, the leader of the Black Fang Hunting Party and a peak Qi Refinement realm cultivator, scowled as he leaned forward. His nose scrunched up in frustration as he locked his eyes with the Phoenix Tear Tavern''s owner, Luo Duyi. He scoffed. He was a man that was used to getting what he wanted, and the response that came from the tavern owner was something that definitely displeased him.

    "What do you mean you don''t have moonshine?" he demanded, his index finger nail scratching the outer surface of the table with an ¡®eek¡¯. "I was informed a man was here with a container of it just three days back. Did it already get sold out?"

    Across from him, Luo Duyi kept his head lowered. He lifted his head just enough to catch the annoyed face of the cultivator.

    "I''m sorry, Master Shen, but we didn¡¯t buy it," he said carefully. He hesitated, then added, "But may I ask how you came to know of it?"

    Shen Bao narrowed his eyes. "Someone delivered a bottle of it to my estate yesterday," he said, voice thick with displeasure. "My subordinates thought it was poison at first, but when one of them dared to try it, they realized it wasn¡¯t just safe¡ªit was damn good. They brought it to me, and I have to say, it''s a fine drink. Not as refined as spirit wine, but it has a kick. A real, satisfying burn. Unlike the watered-down swill you all sell in this town."

    His lips curled slightly, whether in amusement or disdain was unclear. "So tell me, why don¡¯t you have it?"

    Luo Duyi clenched his jaw, lowering his gaze. A frown etched deep into his forehead, his mind racing. He hadn¡¯t expected this¡ªhadn¡¯t thought much at all when he rejected the young man who had come to sell the moonshine. But now, under Shen Bao¡¯s scrutiny, he realized his mistake.

    "Some people did try to sell it to me three days ago," he admitted reluctantly. "And I won¡¯t lie, I liked it. But we couldn¡¯t agree on a price, so they left. That¡¯s the reason your people saw someone with moonshine entering the tavern. There¡¯s nothing more to it. Please, believe me."

    Shen Bao studied him for a long moment, his sharp, wolf-like eyes measuring the truth in his words. Then he leaned back and let out a low grunt.

    "Fine. Then tell me, where are these people? I¡¯ll find them myself and buy the moonshine from them." His voice turned harsh, a flicker of impatience threading through it. "You need to understand, I don¡¯t like something every day. But when I do, I make sure I get my hands on it."

    Luo Duyi straightened hurriedly, nodding with forced enthusiasm. "Of course, Master Shen! The whole city knows you don''t give up on things easily. There''s no way I wouldn''t be aware of that."

    Then, a crease formed between his brows. "But... I actually don¡¯t know where they are. They just left after saying they wouldn¡¯t sell for the price I was offering. They didn¡¯t give an address." He hesitated, rubbing his chin. "But if they sent you a bottle as a gift, they should still be in the city."

    Shen Bao¡¯s fingers stilled against the table. A slow grin spread across his face, though there was nothing pleasant about it.

    "Then we¡¯ll just have to find them, won¡¯t we?"

    Luo Duyi wiped his hands on his apron, forcing a smile as he gestured toward the door. ¡°Why don¡¯t you try some other pub, Master Shen? Maybe someone else has what you¡¯re looking for.¡±

    Across the table, Shen Bao¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. His wrinkled hands rested on the worn wood scraping the wood until little parts were stuck in his nails. Then, he shook his head. ¡°I already did.¡±

    Luo Duyi stiffened. ¡°You¡­ already did?¡±

    Shen Bao nodded. ¡°Yes. The ones who came to sell you moonshine tried every pub in the city. Not a single one of you offered them a good enough price.¡± He leaned forward, his lips curling into a slow smile. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t gone around myself and heard the same story from every other tavern, I wouldn¡¯t have believed you so easily.¡± The corners of his lips curled up. ¡°I would¡¯ve taken my time getting the truth out of you.¡±

    A cold sweat broke across Luo Duyi¡¯s brow. He swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m glad then,¡± he stammered, forcing out an uneasy laugh. But as the silence stretched, an idea struck him. He straightened, his expression turning earnest. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Master Shen. I¡¯ll make sure I get the moonshine in stock next time you visit.¡±

    Shen Bao¡¯s smirk deepened. ¡°I hope you do,¡± he said, his voice smooth. ¡°Because from what I hear, a lot of people have suddenly started looking for this alcohol.¡±

    Luo Duyi¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Where did you hear that from?¡±

    Shen Bao chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°I wasn¡¯t the only one who received it out of nowhere. A lot of places where cultivators gather¡ªinns, gambling dens, even brothels¡ªhave mysteriously acquired bottles of moonshine. And quite a few people found a gift waiting at their doorstep.¡± His eyes gleamed. ¡°You¡¯re not an idiot, Luo Duyi. You must have some idea of what¡¯s going on.¡±

    A flicker of realization dawned on the tavern owner¡¯s face. His fingers tightened around the edge of the table as he connected the pieces.

    Shen Bao continued, his voice almost casual. ¡°Soon, demand will soar as these people search for more. If any pub manages to secure a steady supply, their business will boom overnight.¡± He paused, letting his words sink in. ¡°Right now, the Zhu Clan controls the biggest share of the market¡ªnot just in the city, but in nearby towns and villages. But this is an opportunity.¡± His gaze sharpened. ¡°A chance for another pub to close the gap.¡±

    Luo Duyi exhaled slowly, then nodded. ¡°I understand.¡± His face grew serious, determination setting into his features. He straightened his back. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Master Shen. I, Luo Duyi of the Phoenix Tear Tavern, will make sure we have a batch of moonshine ready when you return.¡±

    ***

    Even though Chen Ren had expected his plan to work, he had never imagined it would unfold this smoothly¡ªor to this degree.

    Not only had he managed to slip his moonshine into the hands of some of the most influential people in the city, but he had also spread it into public venues where cultivators gathered in large numbers¡ªcourtesan houses, training halls, gambling dens, and even some prominent inns. It wasn¡¯t difficult. A few well-placed bribes ensured that the right hands carried the bottles to the right places.

    From the start, he had known his alcohol would be a hit. Cultivators had stronger bodies, faster metabolisms¡ªregular liquor barely scratched the surface of their tolerance. They needed something potent, something that could burn its way through their enhanced systems. And moonshine? It did the job better than anything else.

    What he hadn¡¯t expected, however, was just how much cultivators in this city loved their alcohol.

    The reports from Zi Han and Hong Yi painted a clear picture¡ªdemand was rising faster than expected.

    The first bottles had barely made their rounds, yet already, cultivators were searching for more. Their first stop? The bars and taverns scattered across the city. But none of them had any moonshine to sell.

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    Chen Ren smirked. He could already imagine the panic spreading among the pub owners. Right now, they had to be scrambling, kicking themselves for turning away his sellers. Some were probably already making desperate attempts to source a new supply.

    The Zhu Clan, in particular, had moved fast. One of their men had come to the inn, requesting a meeting on behalf of their master. Chen Ren had ignored it.

    The timing wasn¡¯t right yet.

    If he caved too early, he¡¯d lose leverage. No¡ªhe had to let them stew a little longer, let the demand climb higher. The game was still at halftime, and he had no intention of ending it prematurely.

    A knock sounded at his door.

    Chen Ren leaned back, exhaling slowly before speaking. ¡°Come in.¡±

    The door opened, and Hong Yi stepped inside. The moment the door shut behind him, he reached up, pulling away the mask that concealed his true face. His features shifted, revealing the familiar face that immediately locked onto Chen Ren.

    ¡°I just returned from the Black Lotus Tavern and the Dragon¡¯s Fang Bar,¡± Hong Yi reported. ¡°As you suspected, the rumors are starting to spread. Even regular folks are talking about our moonshine now.¡±

    Chen Ren''s smile widened. "Is that so?"

    Hong Yi nodded. "Yeah. Just like you said, rumors spread without us having to do anything. Now, even the mortals know that the city''s cultivators are interested in moonshine, and they want to try it themselves. There¡¯s always someone in the bars asking for it, and the owners are going crazy."

    He paused for a moment before continuing. "Zi Han also told me that we''ve received a lot of invitations¡ªfrom both bars and individual cultivators¡ªever since they found out we were staying here."

    Chen Ren chuckled. "Yes, but I''m stalling for now. Fortunately, Ashen City has strict laws, so I don¡¯t have to worry about cultivators barging in uninvited. Just their servants, and they¡¯ve been pretty amiable after learning that I¡¯m a qi refinement cultivator."

    In Ashen City, Qi Refinement cultivators were considered heavyweights. The highest-ranking figures¡ªthe heads of stronger families and powerful hunting groups¡ªwere usually in the early stars of the foundation establishment realm, but they wouldn''t show their faces out a lot, and would be busy trying to advance their cultivation for more lifespan, being old men with a time limit.

    Anyone with better talent in the young generation would have left for a sect long ago. That meant that as far as the city''s residents were concerned, a qi refinement cultivator like Chen Ren was someone to be treated with respect, if not outright caution.

    That gave him all the time he needed to let the rumors about moonshine spread.

    Another reason he had been left alone was the fact he had fed the bar owners¡ªthat he was part of a sect. Even if the city''s cultivators wanted to get their hands on his product, none of them were reckless enough to offend a sect, even one they hadn¡¯t heard of before. Not over a mere drink, at least.

    "So what are we going to do next?" Hong Yi asked. "How long are we stalling for?" sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Chen Ren''s gaze sharpened. "Not much longer. Just one more day. After that, we¡¯ll start hearing out the bar owners and see who¡¯s willing to give us the best price."

    Hong Yi tilted his head. "Do you want me to go with Zi Han to the bars and see how much they¡¯re willing to pay now?"

    Chen Ren shook his head. "No. We¡¯re far beyond the point of going to them. We have a product that¡¯s becoming a hit among the city''s cultivators, and they want it. Let them come to us. Not separately, but all at the same time."

    Hong Yi raised an eyebrow. "I see that you already have a plan, Sect Leader Chen?"

    Chen Ren smirked. "I do. And it¡¯s something businesses often do when they¡¯re trying to secure a partnership."

    Hong Yi¡¯s eyes narrowed. "And what¡¯s that?"

    "It¡¯s simple," Chen Ren said. "It¡¯s called a tender document." He paused. "Let me explain it to you."

    ***

    Zhu Yuan scratched the beard that had slowly grown along his jaw, his frown deepening as he leaned against his desk. He reached for the half-full mug of beer beside him and downed it in one gulp, but the bitterness only added to the headache brewing behind his eyes.

    He exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "It¡¯s only been a year since I took over the tavern¡­ but why am I already so close to losing it?"

    Slumping back in his chair, he cursed his rotten luck. He knew that in business, there were opportunities that could make or break you¡ªgolden chances that, if seized, could secure wealth for years to come. But if ignored, someone else would take them and leave you in the dust. And recently¡­ he had let one such opportunity slip through his fingers.

    Just a few days ago, that man¡ªChen Ren¡ªhad come to him, offering to sell his alcohol. At the time, Zhu Yuan had turned him down. Not because the product was bad. No, far from it. He had been drinking since he was thirteen, sneaking sips from his father¡¯s stash, and by eighteen, he was a regular at every bar in the city. He knew good alcohol when he tasted it, and that moonshine had been something else. Strong, smooth, and with a kick that would even affect a cultivator.

    But still, he had refused to pay the price Chen Ren was asking. It was a product the city had never seen before, brought in by an outsider, no matter what sect he claimed to be from. Zhu Yuan had been sure that his decision was the right one¡ªthat Chen Ren would come crawling back, desperate to make a sale. Then, he could have forced him to sell for a fraction of the price.

    Yet, instead of things going his way, demand for moonshine had exploded almost overnight. Now, even his uncles¡ªthe ones who usually left the bar matters to him¡ªwere asking about it.

    The old men of the Zhu family held considerable power, each carrying decades of favors and influence. If they found out that he had turned down the contract for moonshine, Zhu Yuan was certain he wouldn¡¯t just be scolded¡ªhe¡¯d be taken down a notch, maybe even have some of his authority stripped. But that wasn¡¯t even the worst part.

    If another bar managed to secure the contract instead, then his Alehouse was doomed. That thought alone made his stomach churn, an unbearable emptiness gnawing at him no matter how much he drank or ate.

    "All because of that damn man, Chen Ren," he muttered under his breath, rubbing his face in frustration.

    It wasn¡¯t even like the fame of moonshine had started out of nowhere. Zhu Yuan knew Chen Ren was behind it and was pulling strings from the background.

    He and his people had believed in their product enough to push it directly into the hands of the city¡¯s big shots. Zhu Yuan didn¡¯t know how they had managed to do it, but somehow, they had made all the influential figures in Ashen City taste moonshine.

    And once those bottles ran dry, those same big shots had started looking for more. With each inquiry, rumors spread like wildfire. Every drunkard and alcoholic in the city had heard about moonshine by now.

    Yet, despite the growing demand, Chen Ren refused to meet with him. In fact, he wasn¡¯t meeting with of the bar owners. He was keeping them all in the dark.

    Zhu Yuan could only hope that this was just a negotiation tactic and not something worse. Because the only thing he truly feared now¡­ was Chen Ren opening his own bar.

    More competition was the last thing he needed¡ªespecially when the product in question catered to cultivators, a market that was already rare and highly profitable.

    He exhaled sharply, tapping his fingers against the wooden desk as his mind spun in circles, weighing his options.

    Then, a knock on the door.

    "Come in," he barked.

    The door opened, and one of the receptionists entered, bowing slightly. In his hands was a parchment, the edges sealed with an unfamiliar mark.

    Zhu Yuan frowned. "What now?"

    The receptionist straightened, clearing his throat. "Young Master Yuan, one of Chen Ren''s men, just came by. He wanted to discuss the sales of moonshine."

    Zhu Yuan jumped to his feet, his chair screeching against the floor. "Is he still outside? Let me go meet him!"

    The receptionist paled and shook his head hurriedly. "No, he already left¡­ but he left this." He stepped forward, placing the parchment on the desk.

    Zhu Yuan narrowed his eyes and snatched it up, tearing open the seal. His gaze ran from the top of the document to the bottom, his expression shifting from confusion to shock.

    Then, he let out a harsh breath and muttered under his breath¡ª

    "What the hell is this¡­ ?"

    ***

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 Chapter 75: Tender

    Heavenly Sleep Inn was a fairly unremarkable place. A middle-tier establishment that catered mostly to merchants and travelers, it saw a steady flow of customers¡ªpeople of modest means who came and went without drawing much attention.

    That was why, on this particular morning, the sight of several extravagant carriages pulling up outside sent shockwaves through the people in the inn.

    The moment the first carriage door opened, a hush fell over the common room. Conversations died mid-sentence. Patrons turned to gawk. Even people outside the inn gathered around, craning their necks to get a better look.

    The realization spread quickly, whispered from table to table:

    Half a dozen figures entered, each dressed in finely embroidered robes that bore the insignias of their respective clans and trade associations. They moved confidently, the weight of their wealth and influence pressing into the space like an invisible force.

    Yet among them, only three men truly stood out.

    The first was the owner of Phoenix Tear Tavern, Luo Duyi, a shrewd businessman who had once entertained a visiting noble and boasted about it for years. His sharp eyes swept over the inn with a deep-set frown.

    The second was an elder from the Gujam Clan, Gujam Deshun, a man who had controlled the Silver Jug Bar for decades. He stepped inside while clenching and unclenching his fists in habit, his eyes moving across the room, searching for something unseen.

    And the last was Zhu Yuan of the Alehouse, his round face lacked any sort of expression as he took his place among the others, giving nothing away.

    A tense silence stretched between them as they moved toward the largest table in the inn. The servers, looking nervous, rushed to bring water, placing the glasses carefully in front of them.

    Finally they sat down and Luo Duyi broke the silence. He scowled down at the glass of water before him, then scoffed.

    "What kind of place has that man called us to?" he muttered, the upper lip curling in disgust. "Couldn¡¯t he have chosen somewhere decent?"

    At that, Gujam Deshun chuckled. "I¡¯d love to see if you¡¯ll keep that tone and attitude when Chen Ren arrives." His wrinkled fingers tapped the rim of his glass before he leaned back in his chair with a creak. "Your servants already sent him gifts yesterday, didn¡¯t they? Hoping to buy his favor? And yet, they were turned away. You should be grateful that you¡¯re even getting this opportunity to purchase moonshine."

    Luo Duyi shot him a glare. "So, you¡¯ve been keeping track of my servants, old man?" He asked with a smile that mocked the attempt, but his eyes remained cold. "Don¡¯t pretend you haven¡¯t done the same. From what I¡¯ve heard, you outright refused to meet Daoist Chen Ren¡¯s people when they first came to sell moonshine. And now that it''s turning into the most sought-after drink in the city, here you are, scrambling to secure a deal."

    Deshun¡¯s face darkened at that, his grip on his cup tightening slightly. But before he could shoot back a retort, Zhu Yuan clicked his tongue in annoyance.

    "Enough. You two should stop bickering like children. We¡¯re in a public place." He looked around, and took note of all the eyes that were peering down on them.

    Luo Duyi scoffed, crossing his arms. "This isn¡¯t bickering. It¡¯s called talking. Fighting is done with fists. And let¡¯s not forget, we¡¯re all competitors here. Do you really expect us to sit around and chat like we¡¯re at a family dinner?"

    A few of the seated businessmen nodded at that, but Zhu Yuan remained unimpressed. He merely sighed before speaking again. "It doesn¡¯t matter how much we argue. In the end, none of us can change the outcome of who gets the exclusive contract for moonshine."

    Then, his gaze swept across the gathered merchants. "I assume all of you have already decided on your tenders?"

    They exchanged looks before nodding.

    Duyi clicked his tongue. "I still don¡¯t understand this whole tender process. I¡¯ve never seen anything like it before. Why can¡¯t he just conduct business the normal way, like any proper merchant?"

    Deshun exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "People from sects have their own ways. And in a way, this is revenge. He wants to see which of us is the most desperate to get his product after we rejected him." A wry smile appeared on his lips. "A bitter but clever move. Since we¡¯re not allowed to change our offers once the tenders are submitted, he¡¯s making sure we reveal exactly how much we¡¯re willing to pay¡ªwithout him having to negotiate at all."

    Duyi parted his lips to retort, but before he could say anything, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the inn. Instantly, the room fell into silence as all heads turned toward the staircase.

    Chen Ren walked down the steps calmly. His robes crisp and his face held a neutral expression. Behind him, two of his subordinates that they remembered as Zi Han and Anji followed closely. The tension in the air thickened as the merchants instinctively straightened their postures.

    As he reached the table, the gathered businessmen stood in unison and gave him a slight bow¡ªa gesture of respect, both for his status as a cultivator and as the man they were here to negotiate with.

    Chen Ren nodded at them. "Please, sit down. I apologize for the delay, but let¡¯s begin this meeting."

    He took his seat at the head of the table, his sharp gaze sweeping over the group. For a few seconds, he simply observed them, letting the silence linger just long enough to remind them who held the power in this negotiation. Then, with a small, almost polite smile, he spoke.

    "I see that all of you have decided to come here today with your tenders. First of all, I appreciate your interest in our moonshine. But before we begin, let me make one thing clear¡ªthere will be no second chances. Whatever offer you¡¯ve prepared will be final. There will be no renegotiations."

    A ripple of tension ran through the merchants, but they nodded in agreement. A few of them even voiced their assurance.

    "We are here with our best offer.

    Even Duyi, who had been the most vocal earlier, now seemed to have adjusted his attitude. With a more respectful tone, he said, "My Phoenix Tear Tavern will secure this contract."

    One by one, the merchants reached into their robes, retrieving their tenders¡ªrolled-up parchments sealed with wax, each holding their final bid.

    Chen Ren accepted them, stacking them neatly in front of him. He let his fingers brush over the topmost scroll before meeting their eyes once more

    "Now, shall we see who will have the privilege of selling moonshine in this city?"

    He then started opening them, one after the other.

    ***

    Chen Ren looked down at the neatly stacked parchments in front of him, fingers brushing lightly over the wax seals. He had anticipated that the bar owners would realize they were in direct competition and would submit strong offers. And he had to admit¡ªhe wasn¡¯t disappointed.

    Each proposal was significantly better than the initial ones he had received. The desperation to secure the moonshine contract was evident in the generous terms they had put forward. Now, all that was left was to choose one.

    Rather than overcomplicating things by immediately looking for the best deal, Chen Ren started from the bottom, gauging which offers were the weakest. His expression remained neutral as he unrolled each parchment, scanning the contents before setting aside the ones that failed to meet his expectations.

    With each rejected tender, he silently passed the parchment to Anji and Zi Wen, who stood beside him.

    He had to admit¡ªchoosing a winner wasn¡¯t easy. The bars had gone all out, offering him terms that were almost ridiculously favorable. He guessed they now viewed moonshine as their golden ticket to expanding their reach into the cultivator market¡ªa customer base that was notoriously difficult to cater to. And because of that, they were offering terms they probably hadn¡¯t given to anyone before.

    Part of it was obviously fueled by their competition with each other. No one wanted to lose. But at the end of the day, this was an exclusive contract. Only one of them would be walking away with the rights to sell moonshine.

    After shifting through the parchments for a while, weighing the pros and cons, Chen Ren finally came to a conclusion. And he had to say¡ªit wasn¡¯t a surprising one. If anything, he had fully expected this outcome.

    Lifting his gaze from the documents, he looked at the gathered businessmen.

    "Honorable gentlemen, thank you for your patience as I reviewed your offers." He placed the parchment that he had in his hands on the table. "I found them all to be quite generous, and I appreciate the effort each of you put into your proposals."

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    The men at the table tensed ever so slightly.

    They had maintained an air of composure throughout the meeting, but in truth, they all understood what was at stake. Whoever lost this contract wasn¡¯t just losing out on one product¡ªthey were losing an entire market share. Their competitors would gain the upper hand, while they would be left scrambling to catch up.

    Ignoring their expressions, Chen Ren continued.

    "So, after careful consideration, I have decided that the establishment that will receive the exclusive contract for moonshine is¡­" He paused for just a fraction of a second. "The Zhu Clan''s Alehouse."

    The atmosphere immediately turned dire. Zhu Yuan''s eyes gleamed as he tapped the table, his jubilant smile widening. The murmurs of surprise spread like wildfire among the gathered crowd, while Luo Duyi¡¯s face paled, his throat constricting as he hastily swallowed a large gulp of water, mistaking it for alcohol in his panic.

    "I offered 50 silver wen per container," Duyi sputtered, his voice shaky. "How did I not win? You¡¯ve made a deal with the Zhu Clan already and called us here to humiliate us!"

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes remained unbothered. His expression didn¡¯t shift as he met the man¡¯s gaze. ¡°I have no such intention. I chose the Zhu Alehouse because they gave the best offer.¡±

    Deshun, seated quietly at the back, let out a low sigh and leaned forward. ¡°Can we know what the Zhu Clan offered?¡±

    Chen Ren turned his gaze to Zhu Yuan, who smiled proudly, thoroughly enjoying the attention. He leaned back in his chair with exaggerated ease, before answering in a voice that boomed with authority. ¡°I just gave an offer that can¡¯t be surpassed. Forty silver wen per container.¡±

    Luo Duyi¡¯s jaw dropped, but before he could protest, Zhu Yuan wasn¡¯t done. He raised a hand, signaling for silence, and continued, ¡°And 25 percent profit on every sale of moonshine.¡±

    Gasps rippled through the inn, the man on the table turning to each other, eyes wide in disbelief. Even Gujam, who had clearly seen many deals in his time, couldn¡¯t help but raise an eyebrow. "With such rates," he started, his voice tinged with incredulity, "how are you even going to make a profit?"

    Zhu Yuan waved his hand dismissively, his grin unwavering. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about that, old man. Now that my bar has the contract, I¡¯ll handle the rest.¡± He leaned back in his chair, eyes locking with Chen Ren¡¯s. ¡°I hope we¡¯ll be good business partners, Daoist Chen.¡±

    Chen Ren offered a polite nod, his fingers brushing together in the subtle gesture of respect. ¡°Certainly, Young Master Zhu Yuan.¡±

    The tension in the room seemed to diffuse as the deal was sealed, the murmurs turning into whispers. But Chen Ren didn''t care about any of it. The important part was that he had finally secured a deal for the moonshine.

    ***

    Once the final decision was made, confirming that the Zhu Clan had secured the exclusive contract for moonshine, the atmosphere in the inn shifted dramatically. The men, who had been seated at the table moments ago, quickly gathered their things, eager to leave. They barely cast a glance toward Zhu Yuan or Chen Ren. He could sense the mix of frustration and resignation when they left. It was clear they were desperate to be anywhere else.

    Still, to Chen Ren¡¯s surprise, none of them overtly showed their displeasure. They bid Zhu Yuan and him farewell with polite smiles, maintaining an outward calm. Luo Duyi, on the other hand, had trouble hiding his discontent, his mood souring as he muttered under his breath.

    But Chen Ren couldn¡¯t help but respect the restraint shown by the other bar owners. It spoke volumes about their professionalism. He appreciated their ability to control their emotions and avoid making enemies. In this world, knowing how to handle business and keep one''s pride in check was just as important as any deal. After all, the exclusive contract wasn¡¯t permanent¡ªit only lasted for two years. If a better deal came his way in the future, Chen Ren wouldn¡¯t hesitate to consider it.

    Once the last of them had left, Zhu Yuan looked at Chen Ren with a grin. "I¡¯m glad this is all settled," he said, his voice cheerful. "I¡¯d like to have you as a guest at our estate while you¡¯re in the city."

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t hesitate before accepting. He had no intention of staying in the inn any longer¡ªits comfort was lacking, and he knew it would be more beneficial to stay in the Zhu Clan''s estate, especially considering it would give him a good chance to bolster better relationship between his sect and the Zhu clan.  S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°I¡¯d be happy to,¡± he replied, with a smile that was just as measured as ever.

    Without wasting time, they began to shift everything and moved to the Zhu Clan estate where they decided to store every bit of moonshine they had brought in the carriage.

    As the Zhu Clan workers began moving the moonshine into the warehouse¡ªZi Han, Hong Yi, and Anji made sure nothing was broken in the process¡ªZhu Yuan led Chen Ren to a tour of the estate. The grandness of the place made it clear that he was in a clan that has a history of hundreds of years. Just the architecture looked regal yet sturdy.

    As they walked, Zhu Yuan turned to Chen Ren with a more serious expression. ¡°I know we didn¡¯t start off on the best footing,¡± he said, ¡°but I¡¯m genuinely excited to have good business with the Divine Coin Sect. We¡¯ll make this work.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded. ¡°What happened in the past isn¡¯t important. As long as we¡¯re good business partners and make profits, I believe we¡¯ll both be happy.¡± He glanced at Zhu Yuan, his eyes steady. "That¡¯s the nature of this business."

    Zhu Yuan¡¯s grin widened at the words, a flicker of understanding passing between them. ¡°Exactly,¡± he agreed, pausing before adding, ¡°With the way moonshine¡¯s been gaining fame, I¡¯m confident the business will be booming. Honestly, I was almost scared I wasn¡¯t going to get my hands on it.¡±

    Chen Ren smiled. ¡°I can understand. I myself didn''t expect such interest in my product,¡± he said before adding. ¡°Though, I expected you to get the deal.¡±

    At Chen Ren¡¯s words, Zhu Yuan¡¯s eyebrows shot up in surprise. ¡°You expected me to get it?¡± he asked.

    Chen Ren nodded. ¡°Yes. Out of all the bar owners, you needed it the most.¡± He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in before continuing. ¡°First of all, you¡¯re really young, Young Master Zhu Yuan. From what I¡¯ve gathered, you¡¯ve only recently taken over the alcohol business from your father. It¡¯s obvious you want to prove yourself to him. If you had let the moonshine slip through your fingers, and some other tavern made a success of it, your position within the clan might¡¯ve been in jeopardy.¡±

    Zhu Yuan¡¯s expression shifted as he intently listened to Chen Ren¡¯s analysis. His posture straightened slightly and he flinched, as if he recognized the truth in what Chen Ren was saying. That was enough for Chen Ren to know he had hit the mark.

    ¡°Moreover,¡± Chen Ren added, raising his third finger, ¡°the Zhu Clan has been trying to forge more connections with sects, sending their young members there to explore the wider world and become better cultivators. A brand of alcohol catering primarily to cultivators could help with that. Even if higher realm cultivators might not be interested, it could open doors with the lower realm cultivators in the sects. A connection with even an outer disciple in the sect can be vital after all.¡±

    When he had arrived in the city first, Chen Ren had searched for every bit of information he could find from various sources¡ª other merchants in the inn, servants of the large clans and even by giving away a bit of moonshine to some establishments and then he had pieced it all together. It was almost unbelievable how much could be learned from just keeping an ear open.

    ¡°The larger the clan,¡± Chen Ren continued, ¡°the more likely they are to leak information. There are always weak points.¡±

    Zhu Yuan didn¡¯t respond immediately, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded, his lips curling into a small smile. ¡°I see you¡¯ve done your research,¡± he said, acknowledging Chen Ren¡¯s information. But he didn¡¯t confirm or deny any of the points raised.

    Before Chen Ren could say anything further, his gaze shifted to the side. Something caught his eye¡ªa faint glow of heat rising from a forge. His attention snapped to it, his focus sharpening as he saw a man standing in the center, hammering a piece of armor. The heat from the forge was intense, and the air shimmered around it, but what truly caught Chen Ren¡¯s attention wasn¡¯t the fire or the steel.

    It was the subtle pulse of qi that flowed from the man¡¯s hammer with each strike, rippling through the air like a hidden current. Chen Ren¡¯s eyes widened.

    The man¡¯s movements were smooth, his control over the hammer and the forge seemingly infused with internal energy. Every strike sent a faint but distinct wave of qi into the metal. This wasn¡¯t just someone with an impressive skill for forging, or someone who¡¯s trying their best to be skilled in their craft.

    That man was a cultivator.

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

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 Chapter 76: Dao of Forge

    A wave of heat passed through Chen Ren as he walked towards the forge. Sparks erupted with each strike of the hammer, fire burst into existence before dying just as quickly.

    Regardless, Chen Ren walked closer.

    The man at the forge didn¡¯t look up from the armor he was working on, utterly absorbed in his craft. But this close, it was unmistakable¡ªhe was a cultivator. He could feel the flow of qi radiating from the latter, his realm and star matching Chen Ren¡¯s own.

    Yet something was off. The man was attempting to infuse his qi into the metal, but it wasn¡¯t working. Every pulse of energy bounced off the armor, dissipating into the air rather than sinking into the material. Was the metal simply unfit to conduct qi, or was it a flaw in the craftsman¡¯s technique? Chen Ren didn¡¯t know, but the process intrigued him, his eyes following every movement of the hammer with rapt attention.

    A heavy pat on his shoulder pulled him from his thoughts.

    ¡°You got any weapons you need fixed?¡± Zhu Yuan grinned at him. ¡°This guy¡¯s no good in a fight, but he does well enough with scraps of metal.¡±

    The man at the forge remained focused, hammering away as if he hadn¡¯t heard a word. Zhu Yuan¡¯s grin turned into a scowl.

    ¡°Hey, Feiyu, can¡¯t you see I¡¯m here with an esteemed guest?¡± His voice took on a sharp edge. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you bowing yet?¡±

    At that, the forger¡¯s hammer froze mid-swing. Slowly, he lifted his head, eyes widening as he registered their presence. Now that he was facing him, Chen Ren got a proper look at the man.

    Feiyu was in his mid-twenties, a few years older than Chen Ren, with a face roughened by hard work and exposure to heat. His skin was tanned, his arms corded with lean muscle from years of swinging a hammer. Sweat dripped down his forehead, matting his short, unkempt black hair, and his brows were furrowed, not in anger but in intense focus that had yet to fade completely. His eyes, a deep brown, held the sharpness of someone used to measuring things with precision.

    Chen Ren could say that his robes were once a deep blue. But now, it was all stained with soot, patched in a few places where stray sparks had burned through. The forge behind him was a sprawling workspace, an open-air structure that let out waves of heat with every billow of the flames.

    Iron tools lined the walls, some simple, some not-so simple, their purposes unknown to the untrained eye. A massive anvil stood at the center, its surface dented and scarred from countless strikes. Buckets of water sat nearby, the surface of one still rippling from the latest piece of metal being tempered. The pounding of steel against steel had momentarily stopped, replaced by the crackling of the flames and the faint hissing of cooling metal.

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze flickered back to Feiyu¡¯s qi, faint traces still lingering in the air around the unfinished armor. A craftsman with some cultivation, but not much talent. Someone who struggled to walk the path of a cultivator, yet still held on.

    Though Chen Ren knew that calculating a person¡¯s spirit roots based solely on how fast they reached a certain realm wasn¡¯t entirely accurate, it gave him a rough estimate. But in this case, he could be far off. He had no idea about Feiyu¡¯s dao, and from the way Zhu Yuan spoke about him, it was safe to assume that the blacksmith didn¡¯t follow a martial dao. It would explain why he was in the qi refinement realm even with not being in martial arts.

    Feiyu¡¯s lips pressed together before he finally gave a stiff nod, his voice slightly hoarse from disuse. ¡°My apologies, young master.¡±

    Then, he bowed deeply, his posture rigid and submissive. His eyes glued to the floor.

    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, Young Master Yuan,¡± he said once again, his voice thick with apprehension. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize you were here.¡±

    Zhu Yuan glared at him, arms crossed and stepped towards him.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t realize?¡± he sneered. ¡°It seems like your senses have gotten worse. For a slave, you sure aren¡¯t attentive enough.¡±

    Feiyu stiffened, bowing lower. ¡°I¡ª¡±

    ¡°Just apologizing won¡¯t correct your disrespect,¡± Zhu cut him off. ¡°You¡¯re going to be sleeping with the horses tonight. Maybe getting kicked in your sleep will teach you better manners.¡±

    Feiyu paled, his back breaking out in a cold sweat.

    ¡°Please, no, Young Master Yuan,¡± he pleaded. ¡°Last time, one of the horses nearly crushed my hand in my sleep. There¡¯s no space there¡ª¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not my problem.¡± Zhu Yuan waved him off, uninterested.

    Chen Ren exhaled through his nose, seeing the interaction, questions bubbling in his mind. A punishment like that wasn¡¯t just cruel, it was completely unproductive. The man clearly had talent and was a cultivator and letting him sleep with the horses was clear disrespect. Though, Zhu Yuan didn''t seem to feel that.

    In the back of his mind, Chen Ren somehow felt obliged to help the man. No one deserved a punishment just for not noticing a person due to being focused on work.

    ¡°Wait, Young Master Yuan,¡± Chen Ren interjected. ¡°How about instead of sleeping with the horses, you assign him to repair my carriage and a few weapons I have? That should take him a few hours, and I believe it¡¯ll be a good enough lesson. After all, forcing him to sleep in the stables won¡¯t do anything productive.¡±

    Zhu blinked at him, frowning as he mulled it over. Chen Ren saw how Feiyu raised his eyes to meet him, but soon he looked back at the ground in respect.

    After a long pause, he finally shrugged. ¡°Fine.¡± Then he turned to Feiyu. ¡°You heard him. Serve Daoist Chen well. If I hear any complaints, I¡¯ll throw you into a spar with my older cousins.¡±

    Feiyu hurriedly nodded, bowing once more. ¡°I will make sure you have no complaints, Daoist Chen.¡±

    Satisfied, Zhu Yuan gestured for Chen Ren to move, leading him away from the forge. As they walked, Chen Ren found his gaze drifting back, his mind lingering on the whole interaction.

    Something about it felt strange.

    It wasn¡¯t Zhu Yuan¡¯s attitude¡ªhe had expected that from a young master of a powerful clan. No, it was something else. Something about the way Feiyu reacted.

    After all, Zhu Yuan was a young master. Most of them had no idea how to talk to others, being too arrogant and haughty. Chen Ren didn¡¯t like it, but he wasn¡¯t going to say anything in the man¡¯s own home, especially when they were about to become business partners.

    Still, his thoughts kept circling back to the blacksmith.

    By the qi the man gave off, he was a cultivator¡ªand not a weak one. On the other hand, Zhu Yuan was a mortal. Even if he had the backing of the Zhu Clan and was part of the family, he doubted he could talk like that to a cultivator serving his family. Normally, these were rogue cultivators who formed contracts with clans, trading their strength for resources, protection, and a place to cultivate. They were expected to be subservient, but there was still a limit. No cultivator would tolerate open disrespect, not unless they had no choice.

    But Zhu had spoken to him like the man was a mortal, even calling him a slave.

    Unable to hold back his curiosity, he finally asked, ¡°Young Master Yuan, that man

    we spoke to¡­ who is he?¡±

    ¡°Oh, him?¡± Zhu snorted. ¡°He¡¯s just a slave.¡±

    Chen Ren frowned. ¡°A slave? But he¡¯s a cultivator. And slavery was abolished in the empire.¡±

    He knew it was common knowledge that slavery had been outlawed.

    For a long time, about a hundred years ago, it had been legal. Most clan servants were once slaves, bound not just by circumstance but by powerful contracts and techniques that etched slave marks onto their souls. Even cultivators weren¡¯t exempt from this, forced into servitude through binding techniques that left them with no choice but to obey.

    But the current emperor, after his own experiences with palace slaves, had declared it inhumane and abolished it completely.

    So what Zhu Yuan was admitting to was a grave crime¡ªespecially when the man in question was a cultivator.

    Zhu caught the look on his face and waved a hand dismissively. ¡°You misunderstood, Daoist Chen. The man isn¡¯t an ordinary slave.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Then what is he?¡±

    ¡°He comes from a caste of slaves.¡± Zhu Yuan smirked, as if the explanation was obvious. ¡°His father was a slave, and before him, his grandfather was a slave. Even if our glorious Emperor Xian abolished slavery, there were still¡­ special circumstances.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but inside, his thoughts raced.

    Zhu continued, clearly unbothered by the lack of his enthusiasm to agree. ¡°There are those who were pushed into slavery due to their crimes. That man¡¯s grandfather was one of them. He killed a member of our Zhu Clan, and in exchange, the court sentenced his bloodline to 250 years of servitude.¡±

    Chen Ren exhaled slowly. So that¡¯s how they justify it.

    Even if slavery had been abolished, loopholes still existed.

    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    As Chen Ren heard that, understanding dawned on him. His gaze flickered to Zhu Yuan, sharp and assessing.

    ¡°So, the man is a slave because of his ancestors?¡±

    Zhu nodded without hesitation. ¡°Yes. He still has ninety years left in his servitude. But fate has finally smiled on him.¡± He chuckled. ¡°Since he turned out to be a cultivator, he¡¯ll actually live long enough to see the end of his sentence. Most of his ancestors weren¡¯t so lucky.¡±

    Chen Ren hummed, neither agreeing or disagreeing.

    Zhu then paused, lowering his voice as if sharing a great secret. ¡°Let me tell you, it wasn¡¯t easy creating a slave mark for him, especially since they¡¯re forbidden now.¡± He smirked, puffing up with self-importance. ¡°But my uncle, he¡ª¡±

    Chen Ren barely heard the rest.

    His mind was already elsewhere, turning over what he had just learned. His thoughts lingered on the blacksmith¡ªthe cultivator treated as a slave, bound by the sins of his ancestors. Even if the empire had outlawed slavery, the powerful still found ways to keep people in chains.

    His focus was so distant that he didn¡¯t even notice when Zhu finished his story, laughing to himself as he pushed Chen Ren into his guest quarters.

    The door shut behind him with a dull thud, leaving the room silent.

    And in that silence, only one question remained in his mind¡ªWas that man the one he was looking for his future plans?

    ***

    It took an hour for his three subordinates to return after unloading all the alcohol in the warehouse. Surprisingly, Yalan was with them too.

    Before anyone could settle, Chen Ren cut straight to the point. He told them about Feiyu¡ªabout the man¡¯s cultivation, the slave mark, and the way he was treated. He left nothing out. He explained how good blacksmiths were already rare, but a blacksmith who was also a cultivator? He might never get such an opportunity again. And how he wanted to get the man in the sect to work on some projects.

    Both Anji and Zi Han didn''t seem to mind the extra stay, but Hong Yi wanted to get back to the sect as soon as possible. Apparently, the man wasn''t happy, being away from working on his puppets for so long. Even when they talked about Feiyu, he seemed much more interested in carving away on wood.

    Chen Ren didn''t mind it and assured him that it won''t take more than a few days.

    And so, the decision was made. They would remain for a few more days. Once that was done, he started considering how they were going to even poach Feiyu from the Zhu clan.

    Judging by what he had witnessed, the man¡¯s treatment under Zhu Yuan had been anything but good. That alone suggested he would be eager to leave. However, there was always the possibility that the other clan members treated him better. Still, Chen Ren doubted it. Large clans rarely treated their servants with respect, let alone slaves bound by an unbreakable mark.

    That mark was a major obstacle itself. Chen Ren had no way of breaking it himself. The only one who could even try was Yalan, but when he asked her, she shook her head, claiming that even if she could, it would probably cripple or kill the man outright. Chen Ren didn''t want to take such a risk no matter what.

    That left only one option¡ªgetting the Zhu clan to break the mark themselves.

    And he had no idea how to make that happen.

    Though before that, he knew the first thing he had to do was to make friends with Feiyu. He had to find out if the man was even capable of helping him out in making the weapon. If he wasn¡¯t, then Chen Ren could forget the idea of risking a good relationship with one of the biggest clans in Ashen City.

    So, he took advantage of the punishment that Zhu Yuan had given him. At night, he went to talk to Feiyu.

    Chen Ren crouched beside the carriage, inspecting the damage from their long journey. The hinges on the door were loose, the wheel alignment was slightly off, and there were cracks in the axle that needed reinforcing. Nothing catastrophic, but enough to warrant repairs. And as luck would have it, the punishment meant the blacksmith cultivator was the one fixing it.

    As Feiyu worked beside him, his calloused hands moved, tightening bolts, adjusting wooden joints, and hammering weakened spots back into place. Chen Ren watched closely, taking note of the ease with which the man handled metal and wood alike.

    Yalan¡¯s voice echoed in his mind. She sat nearby, making herself comfortable and looking around the night sky.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t even blink.

    she said dryly. ¡°

    Chen Ren exhaled sharply through his nose. She was right, of course. The logic was solid. But logic and opportunity rarely aligned. He had been given a chance, and if he didn¡¯t at least try, he would regret it.

    he admitted.

    Yalan gave him a long, searching look before shaking her head.

    Chen Ren rubbed his hands together, and let the debris fall to the ground.

    He looked at the blacksmith, who was bent over a few inches away, hammering a metal pin into place.

    ¡°We didn¡¯t get a proper introduction before,¡± Chen Ren said, keeping his tone light.

    Feiyu paused, his grip tightening around the hammer before he turned his face toward Chen Ren. His dark eyes narrowed and looked at Chen Ren from head to toe.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t falter. ¡°My name is Chen Ren. I¡¯m from the Divine Coin Sect, currently in business with the Zhu Clan.¡±

    The man held his gaze for a moment before turning back to the carriage, adjusting a loose bolt. ¡°I¡¯m Feiyu. Though I¡¯m sure you know that already, Daoist Chen.¡± His voice was even, but there was a trace of bitterness beneath it. ¡°I¡¯m a slave.¡±

    ¡°And a cultivator.¡±

    Feiyu scoffed, shaking his head. ¡°Barely. Just because I have spirit roots and know a few martial techniques doesn¡¯t make me a cultivator. I feel like an imposter.¡±

    Chen Ren crossed his arms. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to be called a cultivator, then what else would you rather be called?¡±

    The man didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°A blacksmith. I come from a long line of them. It¡¯s in my blood. I like creating things¡ªfixing things, like your carriage here.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded, watching the way the man spoke with conviction. He hesitated for a brief moment before taking the next step.

    ¡°Are you interested in weapons?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Obviously,¡± Feiyu said. ¡°Weapons are the things that I deal with the most in the clan. I like working on them the most, seeing my weapons in action.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded before asking the question he had been waiting to ask. ¡°So, are you interested in developing a new kind of weapon?¡±

    Feiyu¡¯s hands stilled. Slowly, he turned around and pursed his lips. ¡°What do you mean? I didn¡¯t get it.¡±

    Chen Ren pulled out a parchment from his robes and handed it over. ¡°This is an ancient artifact our sect has information on. Can you understand it?¡±

    Feiyu took the parchment, his thick fingers brushing over the surface as he unfolded it. The moment his eyes landed on the diagrams, his expression shifted. His pupils widened, his breath hitched just slightly¡ªsubtle signs, but enough for Chen Ren to notice. He wasn¡¯t just looking at it. He was it.

    Seconds stretched into silence as Feiyu¡¯s gaze flickered over the details, his lips parting slightly in contemplation. Then, slowly, he lifted his eyes to meet Chen Ren¡¯s.

    There was something different in his gaze now. ¡°What are these called, Daoist Chen?¡±

    Chen Ren allowed himself a small smile. ¡°Guns.¡±

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

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 Chapter 77: How to free a slave

    When Chen Ren first decided to bring mortals into his sect, it wasn¡¯t just to have them handle merchant activities while the cultivators acted as the sect¡¯s muscle. No, he had bigger plans for them¡ªplans that involved making them stronger.

    The problem had been, how?

    In a world where even a one-star body forging realm cultivator could slaughter a dozen mortals without breaking a sweat, how was he supposed to bridge that gap?

    Worse still, most mortals would rather bow or flee the moment they saw a cultivator, not stand and fight. That fear had been ingrained in them for generations, passed down like an unshakable curse.

    So, how was he supposed to make them strong enough to at least stand against a cultivator?

    The solution was simple¡ªgive them a weapon that could kill one. The idea first struck him when he read a story in Qing He¡¯s shop. It was about a mortal boy who found an artifact with a spirit stone embedded in it. Using that artifact, he killed a cultivator who had slaughtered his family over a petty grudge.

    Obviously, that was just a fairy tale. Even if it had been real, the cultivator in question must have been pathetically weak.

    But the story had done its job¡ªit had planted a seed.

    While Chen Ren couldn¡¯t forge artifacts for every mortal in his sect, he could create something else.

    A gun workshop.

    Arm every single one of the mortals.

    That was one of the main reasons he had sought a sect location far from Cloud Mist City, somewhere secluded. If he had started building guns in the city and word had leaked out, some powerful clan would have taken an interest. Or worse, an accident could have exposed his plans before he was ready.

    No, he had to be patient. Careful.

    Though, the hardest part of making a gun still remained¡ªfinding a blacksmith capable of crafting one.

    Chen Ren watched the man in front of him, eyes scanning the parchment with an almost feverish intensity. His fingers traced the diagrams, his brows furrowing and then relaxing as he absorbed every detail.

    This was the moment. Was this man truly skilled enough?

    Finally, Feiyu spoke. ¡°I think this is¡­ very, very interesting.¡± His eyes sparkled when he looked up from the parchment. He tapped a finger on one of the diagrams. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen a design like this before. If this really works¡ªif it can launch this metal casing at such speed¡ªit would be a lethal artifact capable of killing even cu¡ª¡±

    He stopped mid-sentence. His face shifted, his eyes now wary as he looked up at Chen Ren with newfound scrutiny. A long pause stretched between them before the man spoke again.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t say anything, he didn¡¯t rush the man to spit out his words, or even show any sort of emotion at his sudden outburst. He simply stood, waiting for Feiyu to grasp the weight of the diagrams.

    ¡°Can I ask you some questions, Daoist Chen? I¡¯m very curious about this.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded, retrieving the parchment from his hands. ¡°Go ahead.¡±

    Feiyu wasted no time. ¡°To push out this metal thing that you seem to have called a ¡®bullet,¡¯ it would require some kind of explosive force inside the weapon¡¯s body. Is it some sort of alchemical compound?¡±

    Chen Ren shook his head. ¡°No, it¡¯s something different¡ªgunpowder, or black powder. It¡¯s not exactly an alchemical creation, but a chemical mixture. We don¡¯t have it yet, and our sect is missing some parts of the formula, but I know the basics.¡±

    The man nodded, his fingers drumming against his thigh as he processed the information. ¡°I see¡­ Then, how do you prevent the weapon from exploding? I didn¡¯t see any rune inscriptions on this design to reinforce the structure.¡±

    Chen Ren smiled faintly. ¡°That¡¯s because the original design doesn¡¯t use runes.¡±

    Feiyu¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°Then how does it not blow up in the user¡¯s hands?¡±

    ¡°Simple. The design allows some of the explosion to escape, preventing it from building up too much pressure. If we completely sealed it, the weapon would be too dangerous to handle.¡±

    ¡°Uhnn¡­ That means every step of crafting and handling it would need to be precise. One mistake, and the weapon could kill its own user.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded. ¡°That¡¯s true. But then again¡­ isn¡¯t it the same with a sword?¡±

    A slow smile spread across his face. ¡°Heh. I suppose it is.¡±

    ¡°A sword¡¯s sharp edge can cut its wielder too,¡± Chen Ren said, mirroring Feiyu¡¯s smile. ¡°But in the case of a gun? It¡¯ll just blow you to bits.¡± He chuckled before adding, ¡°But don¡¯t worry. Once I get my hands on the weapon, whoever we give it to will have to go through extensive training before they¡¯re allowed to use it.¡±

    Feiyu nodded in agreement. ¡°That would be the right way.¡± He hesitated for a moment before asking, ¡°Though¡­ am I right in assuming even a mortal could use this?¡±

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t answer immediately. His gaze lingered on the man, weighing his trustworthiness. If Feiyu babbled to the Zhu Clan, they might get unnecessarily interested. But then again, as a slave, it was unlikely anyone would take his words seriously. And even if they did, Chen Ren could always deny everything.

    After a moment, he nodded.

    ¡°Yes. Mortals can use it.¡±

    Feiyu¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°I see¡­¡± His fingers twitched as he processed the revelation. ¡°Then¡­ if this could be mass-produced and there were enough of them, like common weapons¡­ it might change everything.¡±

    Chen Ren exhaled sharply. ¡°That¡¯s true. But I have no intention of letting it fall into other people¡¯s hands. This is one of my sect¡¯s most precious artifacts.¡±

    ¡°Then¡­ Why did you show it to me?¡±

    ¡°There are a few reasons.¡±

    Feiyu raised an eyebrow, urging Chen Ren to continue.

    ¡°First of all, I don¡¯t think you can do much with what you¡¯ve seen. Sure, maybe you could forge a metal case that resembles a gun. But you don¡¯t have the powder to make it work. And you already understand how dangerous it is. If you try to build it without the right knowledge, there¡¯s a good chance you¡¯d get yourself killed.¡±

    Feiyu slowly nodded, his fingers gripping his own arms as he listened.

    Chen Ren continued, ¡°Secondly, I showed it to you because¡­ I want your help in making it.¡±

    The man¡¯s head snapped up. His eyes searched Chen Ren¡¯s face, as if trying to determine if he had misheard. ¡°Me?¡± he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, thick with disbelief.

    He met Feiyu¡¯s gaze and nodded. ¡°Yes. You look like a capable blacksmith¡ªand a cultivator too. I¡¯m pretty sure working on this will help your Dao.¡±

    ¡°You know my Dao?¡± His eyes widened at that. Chen Ren even noticed the subtle twitch in his lips.

    Chen Ren smirked. ¡°It wasn¡¯t hard to guess. I¡¯ve heard you¡¯re not good at fighting, and you don¡¯t like to sit and cultivate either. You¡¯re always in the forge, hammering away. And yet, despite that, you¡¯ve reached the qi refinement realm.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true. I¡¯m not good at fighting no matter how hard I tried when I was small. I follow the Dao of the Forge. Every time I create a new piece of equipment¡ªsomething better than anything I¡¯ve made before, or something truly unique¡ªI gain insights. But¡­ it¡¯s not easy to improve while stuck here.¡±

    Chen Ren crossed his arms. ¡°Then you¡¯d be interested in guns?¡±

    The man¡¯s eyes gleamed with intrigue before it dimmed wholly. He shook his head. ¡°I am. But I can¡¯t help you, Daoist Chen.¡±

    Chen Ren raised an eyebrow. ¡°Because you¡¯re a slave.¡±

    Feiyu smiled, but it was a bitter one. ¡°Yes. I¡¯m a slave. Even if I wanted to help, I can¡¯t. Not for the next ninety years.¡± He let out a short laugh, shaking his head. ¡°If you¡¯re still looking for a blacksmith after ninety years, you can always look me up. I¡¯ll help you.¡±

    With that, he turned back to the cart he¡¯d been working on, his hands moving as if the conversation had never happened.

    Chen Ren remained standing there for a while, watching Feiyu work. The man hadn¡¯t even hesitated when he said he was a slave. There was no bitterness in his voice, just a quiet acceptance of his fate, as if it had long since settled into his bones.

    Yet, despite that, his eyes had gleamed with interest when they talked about the gun. That spark, however fleeting, was enough for Chen Ren to know that Feiyu wasn¡¯t completely resigned. He still had ambition¡ªburied, restrained, but there.

    Chen Ren let out a slow breath. The man had grasped the design far better than any other blacksmith he¡¯d spoken to. More than that¡ªhe was interested. But his slave status¡­ That was a problem. A big one.

    Chen Ren let out a slow breath. If he could free him, he wouldn¡¯t just be getting someone to forge him a gun. He¡¯d be gaining a blacksmith who specialized in the Dao of the Forge¡ªsomeone whose entire cultivation path revolved around creating superior weapons.

    But how was he going to do it?

    The more he thought about it, the more he realized¡ªthis might be the most complicated problem he had faced so far.

    ***

    The next three days went by in quiet observation.

    Chen Ren kept his distance at first, watching how Feiyu interacted with others. Just as he had expected, most of the Zhu Clan members weren¡¯t kind to him. While they didn¡¯t outright beat him, they treated him like a tool¡ªan object to be used when needed and discarded when not. They ordered him around with the same casual disregard one might show to a servant, rarely acknowledging his skill beyond what was necessary to get their work done.

    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    The man spent most of his time doing odd jobs¡ªrepairing carts, reinforcing weapons, fixing farming tools¡ªwhatever the Zhu Clan needed. Only in the free time he managed to scrape together did he return to the forge, hammering away at whatever project he had been working on.

    That was when Chen Ren approached him.

    Fortunately, Feiyu wasn¡¯t cold toward him. He would engage in conversation on a large number of topics, from metallurgy to cultivation techniques, from the best way to temper steel to the flaws of certain battle formations. He was knowledgeable, well-spoken, and most importantly¡ªhe was rational.

    The more they talked, the more certain Chen Ren became that he wanted this man in his sect.

    He was skilled, disciplined, and ambitious in his own way. While he didn¡¯t openly declare his desires, Chen Ren could see it in the way he worked¡ªhow he strived to improve his craft, how his eyes sharpened when discussing designs, how his hands moved with certainty even when experimenting with something new.

    But once again, he confirmed that his ambition was chained. And the man knew it.

    More than once, he told Chen Ren outright¡ªthere was no way to break a slave pact before the required servitude time ended.

    Chen Ren had initially dismissed that. There had to be a way.

    But as the days passed, doubt crept in.

    It wasn¡¯t as if he wasn¡¯t trying. He had spent the last few days wracking his brain, trying to think of a loophole, a weakness in the system, something¡ªanything¡ªthat would let him break the pact. But every possibility he came up with led to a dead end.

    And worst of all, Feiyu wasn¡¯t even hoping for it.

    He had accepted his fate.

    Chen Ren clenched his jaw. He refused to do the same.

    He had spent the past few days maneuvering through the Zhu Clan, engaging in casual yet much-needed conversations. Zhu Yuan had been a frequent target, as well as any other influential figures he happened to cross paths with. Each time, he had subtly broached the topic of acquiring the blacksmith. Each time, he had been met with rejection.

    It wasn¡¯t hard to see why. A cultivator bound by servitude was a rare commodity, and the Zhu Clan had no intention of letting Feiyu go without bleeding him dry first. They didn¡¯t understand his dao¡ªprobably didn¡¯t even realize he had one. If Feiyu had kept it hidden, it was with good reason. The Zhu Clan thrived on the martial dao, fists and blades carving their path forward. To them, forging was merely a means to an end.

    Yalan had warned him more than once.

    But Chen Ren couldn¡¯t bring himself to agree. Something in his gut told him otherwise. He didn¡¯t need brute force or wealth to get what he wanted¡ªjust an opening, a single crack in the foundation that he could slip through.

    And on the fourth day, that crack finally appeared.

    The sun hung low in the sky. Chen Ren sat cross-legged on the wooden perch near the forge, eyes half-lidded as he slowly guided the immense surge of qi within him, absorbing what he could from his deal with the Zhu Clan. The quiet hum of the forge filled the air, steady and unbroken¡ªuntil it wasn¡¯t.

    Footsteps sounded out. His eyes flicked open. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    A group approached the forge.

    A young man led them, his confident stride and the smug tilt of his chin making it clear that he was here to enjoy himself. He was Zhu Renjie, someone Chen Ren had a conversation with two days back while trying to get to know more people in the clan. Beside him, a handful of lackeys followed, grinning like they were in on a private joke.

    But it was the girl among them who caught Chen Ren¡¯s attention.

    She walked stiffly, her gaze darting away from the forge as though she was dragged here. Unlike the others, she carried no amusement in her eyes. Her robes, fine with artistic embroidery, marked her as a Zhu¡ªone of Renjie¡¯s cousins, most likely. But, he knew one thing¡ªshe didn¡¯t belong with them, not entirely.

    Her expression was tight, her shoulders stiff. She wasn¡¯t eager like the lackeys, nor was she indifferent like Renjie. Instead, she looked¡­ reluctant. Uncomfortable. Her gaze flitted around, never settling too long on anything, and though she walked with them, there was a hesitation in her steps, as if she would rather be anywhere else.

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. Interesting.

    The group came to a stop before the forge, and Feiyu, who had been hammering away at a piece of metal, slowed his strikes before setting the hammer down. He turned toward them, wiping the sweat from his brow.

    Zhu Renjie smirked. ¡°Still toiling away, I see.¡±

    Feiyu straightened. His hands tightened at his sides before he quickly stepped forward, bowing low.

    ¡°Young Master Renjie.¡± He shifted, lowering his head toward the girl beside him. ¡°Young Miss Lingyan, this slave greets you.¡±

    The young woman hesitated before inclining her head in return, her sleeves shifting as she folded her hands together. Her gaze flickered downward, barely meeting Feiyu before shifting away.

    A hand clamped down on Feiyu¡¯s shoulder, casual in appearance but pressing with weight. ¡°Feiyu,¡± Renjie said. ¡°It¡¯s been far too long. I figured you¡¯d be holed up in this forge, hammering away all day. Thought I¡¯d come check on you.¡±

    Feiyu¡¯s jaw tightened. The fingers on his shoulder curled slightly, a not-so-subtle squeeze.

    He lowered his head again. ¡°Young Master, I am but a servant. It is my duty to work.¡±

    ¡°Nonsense.¡± Renjie¡¯s laugh was light, airy¡ªalmost friendly, if not for the sharp glint in his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re a cultivator, aren¡¯t you? A man like you should be exchanging pointers, testing your strength. It wouldn¡¯t do for your skills to dull, would it?¡±

    The forge crackled behind them, filling the brief silence.

    Feiyu¡¯s shoulders stiffened. Chen Ren, watching from his perch, saw the faintest shift in his stance¡ªthe smallest pullback, the subtle hesitation of a man who wanted to refuse but couldn¡¯t.

    Feiyu bowed again, deeper this time. ¡°It would be an honor.¡±

    A smirk played on Renjie¡¯s lips as he stepped back, his lackeys chuckling behind him.

    Chen Ren exhaled slowly, his fingers tracing the grain of the wooden beam beside him. This wasn¡¯t going to be a simple spar. Everyone knew the outcome of it and were awaiting it.

    Except, perhaps, the girl.

    Her hands clenched at her sides, knuckles pressing against the fabric of her sleeves. Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to speak, but the words never came.

    Renjie, oblivious or uncaring, turned on his heel. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Feiyu followed, his footsteps steady but heavy.

    Chen Ren watched them go, his mind already turning.

    The two cultivators moved to the open ground, stepping into their respective positions, the space between them thick with anticipation. The lackeys whispered among themselves, their grins widening and laughter crackling amidst the blood that was about to spill.

    Chen Ren let his gaze flicker past them, something catching his attention¡ªa small detail others had missed.

    The girl¡¯s hands were cupped together, fingers tightening against the folds of her sleeve. Her eyes, hesitant and fleeting, darted toward Feiyu, lingering for a heartbeat before shifting away.

    Feiyu did the same.

    His bow was precise, his stance composed, but his eyes¡ªjust for an instant¡ªbetrayed something else. They found the girl, searching, before quickly lowering again.

    Chen Ren¡¯s fingers tapped lightly against the wooden railing.

    Yalan¡¯s voice came through his mind. She scoffed, getting comfortable near him.

    He didn¡¯t flinch at her sudden presence¡ªhe was used to it by now¡ªbut he exhaled through his nose, eyes still fixed on the two below.

    she continued.

    He nodded slightly, his mind already turning over the implications. More that Chen Ren hadn¡¯t considered.

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. ¡°Maybe. If things go right, I might have finally found a way to get our hands on him.¡±

    And as those words left his mouth, the spar began.

    ***

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 Chapter 78: Brewing a plan

    As soon as Renjie lunged forward, Chen Ren knew the outcome was already decided. It wasn¡¯t because Renjie was a higher-realm cultivator¡ªfar from it. From what Chen Ren had gathered, Renjie was at most in the ninth star body forging realm, a level Feiyu should have been able to contend with, even surpass easily, despite his lack of formal martial training.

    But when Renjie¡¯s fist shot forward, Feiyu didn¡¯t move.

    The punch slammed into his chest with a dull thud, forcing him back a step. His stance wobbled, but he caught himself before falling. Chen Ren narrowed his eyes. He could understand taking a single hit to gauge an opponent¡ªbut this wasn¡¯t that.

    Renjie smirked and didn¡¯t let up. He twisted, sending a sharp kick toward Feiyu¡¯s ribs. This time, Feiyu reacted. His arm snapped up, blocking the strike just before impact. A faint ripple of qi pulsed over his forearm, reinforcing his body, but the force still made him grimace.

    Chen Ren observed silently. Renjie wasn¡¯t terrible, but he wasn¡¯t particularly skilled either. His attacks were riddled with openings, his footwork sloppy. Even an amateur could exploit them. Yet Feiyu never struck back. He absorbed each blow, muscles tensing, face tight with restrained pain, his arms trembling from the repeated impact.

    The lackeys watching snickered. One of them clapped.

    "Young master, just knock him down already!"

    Renjie scoffed, eyes gleaming with arrogance. "You really are a coward. No guts to do anything but block?" He took a step back, planting his feet. "Fine, try blocking this."

    ¡°[Iron Bull Punch]!¡± He roared the technique¡¯s name and charged.

    Chen Ren watched carefully. The attack wasn¡¯t particularly fast. There was a clear opening, an obvious moment to sidestep or counter¡ªbut Feiyu did neither. He simply raised his arms in a cross-guard.

    The moment the punch landed, a shockwave rippled through the air. Feiyu¡¯s feet lifted off the ground as he was sent flying, crashing hard onto the dirt floor with a sickening thud. Dust billowed around him.

    The lackeys burst into laughter.

    Chen Ren leaned forward slightly, eyes sharpening.

    Feiyu pushed against the ground, trying to rise, but before he could even lift his chest, Renjie was on him.

    With a swift movement, the young master pinned him down, knees digging into his ribs, pressing him into the dirt.

    The lackeys howled with laughter.

    "Don¡¯t let him crawl away, Young Master!"

    "Teach the dog a proper lesson!"

    Chen Ren barely spared them a glance. His focus remained on her, Lingyan.

    The girl stood frozen at the edge of the circle, fists clenched at her sides. Her lips parted as if to protest, but no words came. She wanted to step in¡ªhe could see it in the way her weight shifted forward, in the way her fingers twitched¡ªbut she forced herself still.

    Chen Ren turned his gaze back to the fight¡ªif it could still be called that.

    Dust clung to both men¡¯s robes, streaking their sleeves, darkening the once-pristine fabric. But that was where the similarities ended. Renjie¡¯s face was untouched, still twisted in a cruel grin, while Feiyu¡¯s skin bore the evidence of his silence¡ªbruises blooming across his cheeks, his jaw, his neck. Blood on his lips, and his eyes¡ªthey were bloodshot.

    Chen Ren exhaled sharply and rose to his feet. "Young Master Renjie, I think that¡¯s enough."

    The strikes halted. Renjie¡¯s fist froze mid-air before he lowered it, turning toward Chen Ren with a raised brow.

    Recognition flickered in his eyes the next second. "Daoist Chen. I didn¡¯t know you were watching."

    Chen Ren met his gaze evenly. "I was here from the start," he said. His voice was even, calm, though his fingers twitched at his sides. "It was a good spar. But he lost. Let him go."

    For a moment, Renjie said nothing. Then he smirked.

    "Of course," he said smoothly. He stood and dusted off his robes before looking down at Feiyu, still sprawled on the ground.

    Just when Chen Ren thought he¡¯d let Feiyu go, the man spat¡ªjust shy of Feiyu¡¯s face. The arrogant asshole knew no bounds.

    "It was a good session, Feiyu," Renjie drawled and then chuckled. "I hope you learned something. Do better next time."

    Laughter erupted around them once more. Chen Ren¡¯s eyes went to the lackeys. They clearly enjoyed the bullying.

    Still sprawled in the dirt, Feiyu inhaled sharply, forcing himself upright despite the pain. His voice remained steady, though his ribs trembled beneath the weight of bruises forming.

    "Thank you for the pointers, Young Master." He bowed.

    Renjie grinned, wiping dust from his sleeves. "Anytime you need them, I¡¯ll be happy to oblige." He said lightly, but the mockery laced within it was unmistakable.

    He turned back toward his lackeys, who snickered, whispering amongst themselves about the so-called spar. As he passed the young miss Lingyan, he leaned in, murmuring something just for her ears.

    She didn¡¯t respond at first. Then, slowly, she smiled¡ªwry and forced. Her hand came towards her opposite elbow, rubbing slow circles. Her entire form screamed that she was uncomfortable, but it looked as if she had no other choice.

    Chen Ren watched as they walked off, their laughter fading into the evening air. Only then did he step forward.

    Feiyu groaned, trying to push himself up from the ground, his arms trembling under the effort. Chen Ren extended a hand.

    "Let me help you up."

    A pause¡ªthen rough, calloused fingers gripped his own. Chen Ren pulled him to his feet, steadying him when he staggered.

    "That was a tough one to watch," he said, glancing at the bruises forming along the man¡¯s jaw. "Why didn¡¯t you fight back? You were holding yourself back."

    Feiyu exhaled through his nose, wincing as he rolled his shoulder. "If I so much as scratch him, I¡¯ll have worse problems than a beating. I might get in trouble just for calling him that, but that bastard knows it well. That¡¯s why he does this¡ªevery time he loses a fight to one of his cousins, he comes to me."

    Chen Ren nodded, the picture becoming clearer. "Have you ever hit back?"

    A bitter chuckle. "Once."

    Feiyu¡¯s fingers curled into fists at his sides.

    "They made me sleep on the cold floor in winter¡ªno blankets, no warmth. I was barely a cultivator then, and I shivered all night. The next morning, I took lashes for harming a family member." His voice was quiet now, but the weight of it hung heavy between them. "I don¡¯t want to talk about it, Daoist Chen."

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    Chen Ren studied him for a long moment before nodding. "I get it." Then, with a lighter tone, he added, "For now, let¡¯s get you patched up. I might have some herbs that¡¯ll help."

    Feiyu snorted but didn¡¯t refuse. Chen Ren took that as a yes.

    ***

    After the spar, Feiyu was in no shape to work. His bruises ran deep, and though his cultivation would speed up recovery, Chen Ren guessed it would take him at least two days before he could properly return to his forge.

    And two days was more than enough time for someone to visit him.

    Just as Chen Ren had expected, on the first night after the fight, the young miss Lingyan slipped through the quiet halls, moving towards Feiyu¡¯s quarters.

    From the shadows, Yalan tracked her movements, her presence silent and unseen. Lingyan entered the cabin with ease, and from her hidden vantage point, and Yalan listened to every word spoken between them.

    And Chen Ren had to say, it was everything he had expected.

    First, she apologized¡ªearnestly¡ªfor her cousin¡¯s actions, her voice carrying a rare gentleness. Then, she presented a small pouch, filled with concoctions meant to speed up his healing. Feiyu simply smiled, his eyes soft through the entire exchange. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    At first glance, it was obvious what kind of relationship they had. Unlike the rest of her family, she spoke his name with ease¡ªwithout hesitation, without contempt. And throughout their conversation, they held hands.

    For the young miss of an affluent clan, this was as clear of a sign as any.

    Still, even with this new insight, Chen Ren didn¡¯t act immediately. He waited. Planned. This wasn¡¯t a matter to rush¡ªone wrong move could turn everything into an unsalvageable mess. And he couldn¡¯t afford it¡ªespecially because he needed Feiyu in his sect.

    Even with the knowledge of their relationship, there wasn''t much he could do without Feiyu accidentally losing his head. Doing things himself without involvement was also out of question. Even if Feiyu didn''t agree to join his sect, he wasn''t a person who would throw a man towards his death.

    A scandal with Lingyan was something that would have his head fall in an instant. Not only because she belonged to Zhu Clan, but because she was the current patriarch''s youngest daughter and someone with around seventy nine spirit roots, making the clan put a lot of hope on her. This was common information he had found after searching about her.

    In a way, Feiyu was playing with fire by having a relationship with the clan''s princess and as he had talked to Yalan and others on what they could do here, he felt like other than trying to poach the man in his sect, he was also saving him.

    After all, it was clear that the relationship was going to come out one day and when it happened, Feiyu would be buried with his ancestors.

    So, before that could happen, Chen Ren played his hand.

    Once he had a solid approach in mind, on the evening of the second day of Feiyu¡¯s recovery, he finally stepped into his quarters¡ªintent on having a conversation.

    When Feiyu saw him, the man shifted, trying to sit up despite his injuries.

    "No need for that," Chen Ren said, raising a hand. "Just lay down. How are you feeling now?"

    Feiyu grunted. "Better. I¡¯ll be back at my forge by the evening."

    Chen Ren chuckled. "You really love that forge, don¡¯t you?"

    A sheepish grin spread across Feiyu¡¯s face. "It¡¯s all I have," he admitted. "Technically, it belongs to the Zhu family, but I¡¯ve worked there since my father taught me how to hammer metal. It¡¯s like my home¡ªthe only place I feel safe."

    Chen Ren nodded. He could understand that sentiment. He had felt the same about the room he lived in at the Tang Clan and had been pretty upset about leaving it. Then, after a brief pause, he asked, "Do you ever think about having a forge of your own? One that belongs wholly to you?"

    Feiyu blinked at him. Chen Ren knew what exactly went through his mind. And then he sighed. "Of course. Once my slavery period is over, I plan to save whatever money I can and start a forge in a small village. Spend the rest of my years there in peace."

    His voice was calm like a river but Chen Ren could hear the quiet yearning beneath it.

    "I probably won¡¯t ever reach the foundation establishment realm," Feiyu continued. "So I¡¯ll have maybe forty, fifty years left after my servitude ends. That should be enough."

    Hearing that, Chen Ren nodded before his eyes darkened slightly. The conversation he was going to have played through his mind and for a second, he wondered how Feiyu was going to take it, before he decided to lock away his worries.

    "I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll ever have that forge," he said in a hushed tone.

    Feiyu frowned. Confusion flickered in his bruised eyes. "Why?"

    Chen Ren clutched his hands in front of him and looked directly into his eyes. "Do you really think the Zhu clan will just let you go?" He asked not just as a question, but also a statement.

    Silence filled the room as Feiyu hesitated to answer. Making use of it, he continued.

    "You¡¯re a cultivator. A good blacksmith. And, more than that, you can¡¯t disobey them." Chen Ren¡¯s voice was steady, but his words were hefty. "You have too much value. You¡¯re useful. Do you think they¡¯ll just let you walk away when the time comes?"

    Feiyu¡¯s lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

    "If I had to make a guess," Chen Ren continued, "near the end of your slavery period, they¡¯ll accuse you of something¡ªmaybe theft. Something severe enough to justify extending your servitude. And once they do, that will be it."

    His voice grew colder.

    "You¡¯ll never be free."

    Chen Ren watched as Feiyu¡¯s face fell, the color draining from it. Even though his body was healing, he suddenly looked sick again. The weight of realization settled on his shoulders, his mind racing through the implications of what Chen Ren had just said. The fear, the helplessness¡ªChen Ren could see it all, sinking into him like a stone in deep water.

    But just as the man teetered on the edge of despair, Chen Ren spoke again.

    "There might be a way for you to have your own forge."

    Feiyu¡¯s gaze snapped to him, hope flickering behind his exhaustion. "How?"

    Chen Ren smiled slightly. "Come with me. My sect, the Divine Coin Sect, needs a capable blacksmith. I¡¯ll build you a forge, and we can work on the guns together."

    The man¡¯s lips parted slightly in surprise.

    "You follow the Dao of the Forge, don¡¯t you?" Chen Ren continued. "I¡¯m certain that working on such an artifact will not only strengthen your craft but also push your cultivation toward a breakthrough. And it¡¯s not just one project. You¡¯ll have the chance to work on different types of weapons¡ªnew ones, powerful ones."

    Feiyu didn¡¯t respond immediately, but Chen Ren saw it¡ªthe unmistakable spark in his eyes. Greed. Not for money, not for power, but for creation. For the chance to work on something that truly mattered. It was admirable.

    For a moment, it looked like he might accept.

    But then, just as quickly, the light dimmed, and he shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, Daoist Chen, truly. But I¡¯m a slave. There¡¯s no way I¡¯d be able to leave."

    Chen Ren¡¯s smile widened slightly, having waited for the exact words. "What if there was a way to break your slave contract?"

    Feiyu blinked, then scoffed lightly, as if Chen Ren had just made a joke. But when he looked at him again¡ªreally looked¡ªhe saw that the young cultivator wasn¡¯t laughing.

    His throat bobbed as he swallowed. "How could that possibly be done?"

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze remained steady as he spoke.

    "Anything is possible with a good plan and the conviction to see it through. But it won¡¯t be easy. There''s a risk¡ªespecially for you."

    Feiyu hesitated for only a second before exhaling sharply. "If I can really get out of being a slave, I¡¯m ready to take any risk. And like you said, there¡¯s a good possibility I won¡¯t ever be free if I don¡¯t try. If there¡¯s a way, I¡¯ll take it."

    Chen Ren''s expression didn¡¯t change as he said, "Even if it involves her?"

    ¡°Who?¡±

    ¡°Lingyan.¡±

    Feiyu froze. His body tensed, and his eyes flickered with a storm of emotions¡ªanger, shock, confusion, and something else, something deeper. His throat moved as he swallowed hard before finally asking, "You know?"

    Chen Ren nodded. "I saw how she looked at you during the spar. Then, I saw her moving toward your quarters last night. I¡¯m surprised no one else knows."

    The man lowered his head, exhaling through his nose. "She¡¯s careless. It hasn¡¯t been found out because no one expects her to feel anything for a slave. She¡¯s the patriarch¡¯s daughter¡ªno one would dare accuse her of something like that."

    Chen Ren hummed in understanding. He had already guessed as much. After a moment of silence, he asked, "So, do you love her?"

    There was no hesitation. "Yes. I do. But we both know it¡¯s impossible. Sooner or later, she¡¯s going to be betrothed to someone else. And with my status, I can never even think of something like that."

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes sharpened. "You can if you get rid of the slave mark."

    Feiyu¡¯s head snapped up. "How?" His voice was rough, almost desperate. "You said it involves her, but if anything happens to her, I won¡¯t be able to forgive myself."

    Chen Ren¡¯s expression softened slightly. "Nothing will happen to her. The patriarch loves her too much to punish her, no matter what." He paused for a moment before continuing, "Either way, my plan involves her. And if we succeed, not only will you be free, but you¡¯ll actually have a chance to marry her."

    Feiyu remained silent, staring at him, torn between hope and fear. Even if he had been willing to risk everything for freedom, involving the person he loved in it was different.

    Chen Ren understood that.

    In the end, the man took a deep breath and nodded. "I¡¯ll hear you out."

    ***

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 Chapter 79: How to manipulate a clan patriarch

    The air felt heavy, pressing down on him like an invinsible force of qi suppression. The room around Chen Ren closed around him, making his lungs tighten¡ª

    Of course, it was just an illusion¡ªno one in the room was actively using their cultivation against him. But the sheer tension hanging in the atmosphere made it feel like he was being suffocated.

    The people sitting inside looked like they had just witnessed their ancestors being cleaved apart by a vengeful cultivator. Faces were taut, eyes grim, and not a single person spoke.

    Beside him, Zhu Yuan¡ªhis first companion in the clan¡ªsat in an uncharacteristically stiff posture. The fatty, who would normally be gnawing on something or drinking even in the most serious of situations, had lost all traces of his appetite. His plump fingers were curled into fists on his lap, his gaze darting uneasily around the room before landing on one man in particular.

    At the very center of the gathering sat Zhu Gang, patriarch of the Zhu Clan.

    The old man¡¯s presence alone was enough to silence a room. His long, snow-white beard contrasted against the deep red of his high-collared robes, embroidered with golden flame patterns that curled like dancing fire along the sleeves. His hair, streaked with silver, was tied into a strict topknot, and though he sat motionless, his aura crackled with restrained power.

    He was a peak foundation establishment realm cultivator.

    He wasn¡¯t the strongest cultivator Chen Ren had ever met, but in this room, he was an immovable mountain. The half-lidded eyes that peered out beneath thick, furrowed brows seemed to weigh every person present, stripping them down to their very bones.

    Half of the tension in the room came solely from him.

    The rest was from the subject at hand.

    Seated around the patriarch were other elders of the Zhu Clan¡ªold men draped in muted but luxurious robes, their faces lined with years of experience and scheming. Their presence was nothing more than a formality. Zhu Gang was the only one who mattered.

    And Chen Ren?

    He was the only outsider here.

    The oddity in the room.

    The one who could easily be kicked out if necessary.

    Finally, after a long silence, Zhu Gang moved. He lifted a piece of parchment between his fingers, shaking it slightly before his tiny eyes locked onto Chen Ren.

    ¡°This letter¡­¡± He huffed. ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s true, Daoist Chen? My daughter could not have possibly involved herself with a¡­ with a slave.¡±

    He said as if he couldn¡¯t believe it himself.

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes flicked to the letter¡ªthe one he had handed over himself. One of the latest ones Zhu Lingyan had written for the blacksmith.

    And the very thing that had dragged him into this storm.

    Zhu Gang¡¯s sharp gaze remained fixed on Chen Ren, his fingers tightening around the letter.

    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s true, Patriarch Zhu,¡± Chen Ren said. ¡°I would never do anything to tarnish the relationship between the Divine Coin Sect and the Zhu Clan.¡±

    He gave Zhu Yuan a glance. The fatty visibly flinched but quickly nodded, wiping sweat from his brow.

    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s true, Patriarch,¡± Zhu Yuan confirmed.

    Chen Ren continued, keeping his expression carefully neutral. ¡°I was simply fortunate that one of the sect disciples I brought with me happened to come across it and delivered it to me. I consulted Zhu Yuan the moment I learned of it, knowing how serious the matter could become.¡±

    Zhu Gang exhaled sharply, as if reigning in his emotions. His qi, which had been rippling slightly in agitation, steadied. After a moment, he spoke, his voice colder but more composed.

    ¡°You did the right thing, Daoist Chen. On behalf of the Zhu Clan, I thank you.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded. ¡°I understand, Patriarch Zhu. I originally come from a clan as well. I know how these things work.¡± A beat of silence followed. Then, he carefully added, ¡°May I ask what you intend to do with the slave?¡±

    The moment the words left his lips, the temperature in the room seemed to drop. The patriarch¡¯s already sharp eyes turned frigid, his aura shifting like a storm ready to break.

    The pressure of his qi surged, leaking into the room in droves, heavy and suffocating. Zhu Yuan stiffened beside Chen Ren, his knuckles white as he clenched his hands under the table. The elders, too, remained silent, impassive, but none dared to intervene.

    Finally, when Zhu Gang spoke, his voice sounded like steel.

    ¡°Obviously, his head will fall.¡±

    His words carried absolute finality, no hesitation whatsoever.

    ¡°He has tried to manipulate my daughter. For that, I will ensure he suffers a fate worse than death.¡±

    Chen Ren had expected this.

    From the moment he revealed the letter, he had known that Zhu Gang would demand blood. He had thought and calculated every reaction the patriarch might have, and so far, the man had acted exactly as he predicted.

    But no matter how expected, Chen Ren couldn¡¯t allow Feiyu to die here.

    He took a steady breath and spoke before anyone else could.

    ¡°But, Patriarch Zhu¡­¡± He paused deliberately, letting his words linger. ¡°We have only found a letter from the Young Miss.¡± sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    The patriarch¡¯s qi wavered slightly.

    ¡°Nowhere in the letter does it say that the slave coerced her in any way.¡± Chen Ren met the old man¡¯s gaze evenly, as if he weren¡¯t standing against a peak foundation establishment cultivator who could crush him with a flick of his fingers. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t such a punishment be unbefitting of a righteous cultivator such as yourself?¡±

    A heavy silence gripped the room.

    For the first time, something flickered in the patriarch¡¯s eyes¡ªwhether it was irritation, consideration, or something else, Chen Ren couldn¡¯t yet tell.

    But he knew one thing.

    He had his attention.

    Zhu Gang¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously.

    ¡°Are you suggesting that my daughter was the one who tried to seduce a mere slave?¡±

    Suddenly, he felt the man¡¯s anger reeking through his voice, and immediately, murmurs spread through the room like ripples in a pond. The elders exchanged glances, some frowning, others whispering under their breath.

    Beside Chen Ren, Zhu Yuan went pale, his hands trembling slightly as he wiped sweat from his forehead. But Chen Ren remained calm. He had dealt with powerful figures before¡ªprideful, overbearing, quick to judge. This was no different.

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t mean that, Patriarch Zhu,¡± he said evenly. ¡°As I just stated, we don¡¯t have any evidence that the slave had any involvement at all.¡± He met the patriarch¡¯s glare without flinching. ¡°And a righteous cultivator does not make hasty decisions. A wise man such as yourself would surely know that.¡±

    The tension in the room thickened. Zhu Gang¡¯s expression twisted into clear displeasure, but he didn¡¯t lash out this time. He stared at Chen Ren for several long moments, as if weighing his words.

    Internally, Chen Ren smiled.

    His plan was working.

    By presenting the evidence of an illicit affair directly to the patriarch, he had made himself important¡ªnot just some merchant, but a sect-affiliated individual bringing critical information to the clan. And he knew from his research that Zhu Gang prided himself on his upright nature, always preaching about the righteous path.

    Cornering a self-proclaimed righteous man with his own beliefs was a strategy that rarely failed.

    In the end, Zhu Gang let out a slow breath and gave a curt nod.

    ¡°Let¡¯s hear both sides, then.¡±

    With that, he gestured toward one of the elders. ¡°Bring the slave.¡±

    The elder rose immediately, leaving the room. A tense silence followed as they waited, the pressure lingering thick in the air.

    Chen Ren simply folded his hands together, waiting patiently.

    Before long, footsteps echoed outside the hall, and then¡ª

    Feiyu entered.

    The blacksmith¡¯s face was pale, his steps hesitant. The moment he stepped into the room, his eyes flickered to the gathered elders, to Zhu Gang sitting at the center, and then to Chen Ren. His expression twisted with barely restrained fear, and without a word¡ª

    He fell to his knees.

    Before he could even properly bow, a surge of qi filled the room.

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes sharpened as he watched it happen. Zhu Gang¡¯s energy moved with frightening precision, pressing down on Feiyu like an invisible mountain. The blacksmith barely had time to react before his forehead slammed against the floor, hard enough to make a sharp cracking sound echo through the room.

    He was forced into a deep kowtow, his body trembling under the sheer weight of the patriarch¡¯s qi.

    Chen Ren exhaled through his nose. He had expected something¡ªbut to see it in action was another matter entirely.

    Now, the real game would begin.

    ¡°Feiyu!¡±

    The patriarch¡¯s voice cracked through the room like a whip. ¡°I know your tainted bloodline has been one of criminals, but still, we gave you shelter, work, and even helped in your cultivation! And in return, you dare put your hands on my daughter?¡±

    His qi flared once more, sending a suffocating weight pressing down on Feiyu¡¯s trembling form.

    ¡°What do you have to say for yourself?¡±

    Feiyu¡¯s breath came out ragged as he gulped. His face was ashen, his entire body shaking under the patriarch¡¯s gaze.

    ¡°P-Patriarch Zhu,¡± his voice was barely above a whisper. ¡°I had no hand in this. It was the Young Miss who sent me those letters, but I never reciprocated. Please¡­ spare me.¡±

    Silence filled the hall for a brief, suffocating moment.

    Then¡ª

    Stolen novel; please report.

    ¡°So you mean to tell me it was my daughter who sought out a mere slave like you? That she¡ªshe would lower herself to such filth?!¡±

    Zhu Gang¡¯s fury exploded. His chair screeched against the floor as he shot up, his qi surging violently. Without hesitation, he raised a foot to kick Feiyu straight in the chest¡ª

    But before he could, several elders moved at once, stepping forward to block his advance. Chen Ren followed suit, shifting slightly to stand in the way.

    ¡°Patriarch!¡± one of the elders urged, holding out a hand. ¡°Please, calm yourself!¡±

    It all happened too quickly. Zhu Gang¡¯s eyes blazed with rage, but even he wasn¡¯t so far gone as to ignore the restraining hands of his own clan members.

    Feiyu remained on his knees, his head pressed against the cold stone floor, trembling so hard that it looked like he might collapse at any moment. His lips moved soundlessly, as if searching for words¡ªbut none came.

    It was all too silent; the unspoken tension warming up the room alongside the patriarch¡¯s qi that was heavy in the air.

    Finally, Chen Ren exhaled softly. He had seen enough. ¡°Patriarch Zhu, as I have said, Feiyu has not acted upon any of this. The situation can still be salvaged¡ªwithout anyone dying.¡±

    Zhu Gang slowly turned his gaze toward him. ¡°Daoist Chen, I do not see how this matter can be resolved without this slave losing his life. And why, exactly, are you speaking in his favor?¡±

    His voice held suspicion now, eyes narrowing at Chen Ren as if seeing him in a new light.

    Chen Ren met his gaze evenly.

    ¡°I am not taking any sides. Like you and me, Feiyu is a cultivator. That does not change simply because he is a slave.¡± He let the words sink in before adding, ¡°By his association with the Zhu Clan, he is counted among the righteous path cultivators as well. I merely believe that one should not be condemned without guilt.¡±

    The room fell silent once more.

    Zhu Gang¡¯s qi still crackled faintly in the air, but something shifted in his face. The man was thinking about what Chen Ren had just said. It was good. It was an opening of sorts. Chen Ren hung onto that hope.

    ¡°Then¡­ all of this was done by my daughter?¡±

    Chen Ren shook his head immediately. ¡°I don¡¯t think the Young Miss even realizes what she¡¯s doing.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°In my time here, I have learned that she is kind. She looks out for others¡ªmortal or cultivator alike. Her heart is pure.¡±

    Zhu Gang scoffed. ¡°So what?¡±

    ¡°I have heard tales that she has gone out of her way to help servants in need, feeling bad for them. If I may speak plainly¡ªFeiyu, the slave, is not treated well by anyone. In the few days I have been here, I have seen him shouted at, ridiculed, and even beaten under the guise of ¡®sparring.¡¯ All while the Young Miss Lingyang was in attendance.¡±

    His gaze swept across the gathered cultivators. ¡°I am certain there have been many such instances before my arrival.¡±

    Another long moment of silence passed between them.

    Chen Ren allowed the weight of his words to settle before delivering the final push. ¡°Don¡¯t you think that, seeing such treatment, the Young Miss¡ªbeing as kind as she is¡ªfelt bad and tried to make amends in her own way? To compensate for the behavior of the younger generation of your family?¡±

    The elders glanced at each other, the earlier tension in the room shifting into contemplation. A few muttered among themselves, their voices hushed yet audible.

    ¡°That¡­ that could be true, Patriarch.¡± One elder hesitantly spoke.

    ¡°Young Miss Lingyang is softhearted,¡± another murmured. ¡°Perhaps she saw the way Feiyu was treated and acted out of pity.¡±

    Chen Ren watched them carefully before nodding. ¡°Yes. Oftentimes, emotions become tangled. We mistake one feeling for another. Sympathy can be confused with affection, especially at her age.¡±

    The murmuring grew louder. Some elders exchanged knowing looks, others sighed in realization.

    Zhu Gang remained still. His jaw was clenched, his fists tightly clenched till his knuckles turned white. The fury in his eyes hadn¡¯t vanished, but Chen Ren could say that the man was hesitant. Therefore, he waited. He looked at Feiyu, whose head still remained bowed. Good. He was playing his part well.

    Meanwhile, the patriarch took time to consider his words. If Chen Ren had judged him correctly, then Zhu Gang¡¯s love for his daughter would make him find excuses for her behavior rather than outright punish her. And if that happened, then the entire incident would be reframed as a simple misunderstanding¡ªone where his daughter had only mistaken sympathy for affection.

    That meant she would escape punishment. Fortunately.

    From what Chen Ren had heard, Lingyan was a talented cultivator. Even if the Zhu Clan attempted to marry her off to save face, she had a few years to resist. Cultivation always took priority, and most cultivators delayed marriage until their progress slowed. If he could, he would have simply asked her to join his sect, taking Feiyu with her, but the relationship between his sect and Zhu Clan wasn''t so great yet. And they already had connections with other sects, so that plan had died in infancy.

    Zhu Gang¡¯s nose twitched.

    ¡°Even if Lingyan is not at fault, it does not change the fact that a scandal was about to erupt. Punishment must be dealt. And what if she does not let go of her sympathy? Her infatuation? There is a bright future ahead of her, and yet she would risk destroying the reputation of our clan over a mere slave.¡± His eyes turned cold as he glared down at Feiyu. ¡°This slave still needs to die.¡±

    Feiyu shuddered. His hands formed into fists by the ground. A few elders nodded in agreement, their expressions solemn.

    Just as the tension reached a peak, Chen Ren spoke again.

    ¡°I believe killing him would be detrimental in the long term, Patriarch.¡±

    ¡°What did you just say?¡±

    The patriarch¡¯s gaze snapped toward him, along with the elders¡¯. Chen Ren remained calm. He had to. If he let himself feel at least a small ounce of fear, everyone would know.

    ¡°I do not mind Feiyu being killed here. He is a slave of the Zhu Clan. You all have the right to do with him as you wish. But consider this¡ªwill killing him truly make the Young Miss forget her infatuation?¡±

    That made a few elders frown.

    One of them finally spoke. ¡°And why would it not?¡±

    Chen Ren exhaled slightly, as if exasperated. ¡°Think about it. Feiyu never leaves the clan grounds. He is a blacksmith, dedicated to his craft. As a cultivator, his body is sturdy¡ªhe won¡¯t simply drop dead.¡± He swept his gaze over them before delivering the key point. ¡°If he suddenly dies, will she not find it suspicious? I mean, Feiyu is already mistreated. If Lingyan discovers that the clan killed him, what do you think will happen?¡± He let the question hang in the air before answering it himself.

    ¡°Her infatuation will turn to anger. Resentment.¡±

    He looked directly at Zhu Gang. ¡°And that anger will not be directed at Feiyu. It will be at the clan.¡±

    Zhu Gang propped down in his chair, and let his fingers dig into the armrest. Chen Ren could see the hesitation beginning to form in his expression.

    ¡°If she begins to resent you,¡± Chen Ren continued, ¡°she will be harder to control. And if she rebels against the clan, then all of this would have been for nothing.¡±

    Chen Ren turned back to the patriarch. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I¡¯m way over my boundaries but in my sect, I have seen many younger disciples lose their way like this. I don¡¯t want the Young Miss to go through the same. That is why I¡¯m telling you all this.¡±

    Zhu Gang narrowed his eyes. ¡°Then we won¡¯t let anyone know of his death.¡±

    Chen Ren shook his head. ¡°Secrets always find their way out. She can always make a guess and confront someone. And when that happens, it¡¯ll be difficult to maintain the lie.¡±

    One of the elders scoffed. ¡°Then is there any better way? Tell me if so. If not, this man is surely losing his life tonight by the patriarch¡¯s hands.¡±

    Chen Ren frowned, as if deep in thought. He let a few moments pass before exhaling. ¡°I have a way.¡±

    The room¡¯s atmosphere shifted. Every eye turned to him, waiting.

    Zhu Gang¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°What is it?¡±

    Chen Ren glanced at Feiyu, still kneeling with his head down, before speaking. ¡°Banish him.¡±

    Murmurs erupted in the hall.

    Chen Ren continued, ignoring all the raising voices. He couldn¡¯t even tell if they were opposing his idea or raising concerns, but he ignored it. ¡°If you send him away, the Young Miss will be unable to hold onto her infatuation. You can tell her that he was caught stealing and was cast out of the clan.¡±

    An elder frowned. ¡°Why would we sully our own reputation by saying a slave stole from us?¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips curled into a slight smirk. ¡°Why would it sully your reputation? He already has the blood of a criminal in him, doesn¡¯t he? A slave with a tainted lineage¡ªno one would doubt the story.¡±

    The patriarch¡¯s fingers tapped against his chair. The logic was sound.

    Chen Ren pressed on. ¡°Even if the Young Miss grieves for a while, she will eventually recover. And if you¡¯re still worried about him ever returning, make him swear a qi oath to stay away from the clan forever.¡±

    The room fell into silence once more.

    Chen Ren took a step back. ¡°Of course, the final decision rests with you, Patriarch. I¡¯m just an outsider offering my opinion.¡±

    Zhu Gang¡¯s expression remained unreadable. His fingers stilled. Slowly, he leaned back, exhaling. ¡°We respect your opinion, Doaist Chen. A decision will be made after careful thought.¡±

    With that, he went silent, lost in contemplation.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t let his expression shift, but his heartbeat quickened. Would the patriarch take his advice, or would Feiyu lose his life right here? It was a matter of word; word from the patriarch.

    The uncertainty gnawed at him. He kept his breathing steady, waiting. It felt like forever. But he knew at any second, the patriarch would¡ª

    Zhu Gang finally opened his mouth.

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

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 Chapter 80: Return to Cloud Mist City

    Soot fell on Chen Ren¡¯s face. He reached up to wipe it away, pausing as he leaned against their still carriage. Above, the sky was vast and cloudless, a pale blue that felt too serene for what had just transpired.

    They were finally out of the Zhu Clan¡¯s domain.

    The road ahead twisted through the mountain pass, leading away from Ashen City and toward Cloud Mist City. From there, they would make their way back to Meadow Village.

    As he stood there, the carriage window creaked open. Anji¡¯s head poked out. She paused for a moment, as if checking Chen Ren¡¯s mood. But since he didn¡¯t say anything right away, she opened her mouth. ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate what happened with Feiyu,¡± she murmured. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t wish something like that on anyone.¡±

    Chen Ren exhaled, a wry, sad smile tugging at his lips. ¡°He chose it for himself. He knew the consequences. There¡¯s nothing we can do about it. I believe he had it long coming.¡± His voice was steady, but his fingers curled against the rough wood of the carriage. ¡°In life, there are choices we make. Right or wrong, they¡¯re often final.¡±

    Anji was silent for a long moment before speaking again, her voice softer. ¡°I understand choices. But we can still regret them, right?¡±

    Chen Ren nodded. ¡°Yeah. There are plenty like that.¡± His gaze drifted toward the distant peaks. ¡°I have my own regrets.¡±

    Anji tilted her head. ¡°Like what?¡±

    Chen Ren scratched his head, a bitter chuckle escaping his lips. ¡°For one? The tournament at Cloud Mist City. I should have been more careful. I was lucky, saved by circumstances. But if not for the golden dragon¡­¡± His fingers twitched. ¡°I¡¯d be dead right now.¡±

    Suddenly, everything fell silent. The mountain wind swept past them, rustling the trees.

    Anji studied him for a moment before nodding. ¡°About that golden dragon, I had questions. Are you comfortable talking about it?¡±

    Chen Ren opened his mouth to respond¡ªbut then, he felt it. Footsteps.

    His head snapped to the side.

    A figure approached from the path leading out of Ashen City.

    His eyes were red, as if he hadn¡¯t slept, but his face was resolute. A worn pack was slung over his shoulders, the fabric stretched thin and patched in places. He moved with the stiff, uncertain gait of someone stepping into a world that had never before been his to walk.

    As he neared the carriage, his eyes found Chen Ren.

    A small smile glazed across his lips. Then, without hesitation, he strode forward and bowed deeply.

    ¡°Thank you for everything.¡± His voice was raw, hoarse with emotion. ¡°I never thought a day would come when I would be without a slave mark.¡±

    He pulled back his sleeve.

    The skin of his forearm was burnt, the flesh marred by angry red scars where the brand had once been. His hand shook when he showed it from his pointy finger.

    Freedom had come at a price.

    Chen Ren kept staring at it for a solid minute. The faint lines of the slave mark were still visible, but the symbol had been usurped¡ªits power erased. Feiyu was a free man now.

    ¡°Fortunately, the patriarch listened to me and made the right decision,¡± Chen Ren said. Then, after a pause, ¡°Did you get her letter?¡±

    Feiyu nodded, gripping the strap of his pack tighter. ¡°Yes, I did.¡± He cleared his throat. ¡°She said she understood my decision¡­ and that she¡¯ll wait for me to come back for her as a strong cultivator. Her father¡¯s already planning to get some proposals for her, but she¡¯s going to push it off for as long as she can.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good. If you said the oath the way I told you, you¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    ¡°I did. And they didn¡¯t seem to suspect anything.¡±

    Chen Ren smirked slightly. ¡°People like to think qi oaths are unbreakable, not realizing they¡¯re just contracts with stricter rules.¡±

    He had found that qi oaths were one of the most interesting things in this world. Since using the qi oath on Tang Yuqiu back then, Chen Ren had been curious about its mechanics. He had spent time experimenting with them, testing whether they were truly foolproof or if there were ways to manipulate their wording for loopholes.

    As expected, the wording played a crucial role. Back in the city, he had tested it on Lihua by making her take a qi oath not to eat noodles for a week. Yet because the restriction only applied to his noodles, she had no issue eating those made by Xiulan or anyone else. That small distinction proved that a carefully crafted oath could be circumvented.

    He had used the same trick with Feiyu, structuring the oath so that he would stay away from the Zhu Clan¡¯s Lingyan¡ªbut the oath would only apply while she remained part of the Zhu Clan. According to their plan, the girl would join the Divine Coin Sect in a year or two, once his relationship with the Zhu Clan improved. When that happened, she would abandon the Zhu family name, effectively nullifying the restriction.

    It wasn¡¯t an uncommon practice for sects to sever their disciples from mortal ties, and while convincing the Zhu Clan would take time, Chen Ren was confident in his ability to handle it.

    Thinking of the trick, Chen Ren was glad that qi oaths weren¡¯t taken lightly in this world. Their absolute nature made them a rare tool, used only in special circumstances. That was precisely why the art of exploiting them wasn¡¯t widely spread. If qi oaths had been used for everyday contracts, someone in the Zhu Clan might have caught on to his loophole.

    But in this case, they would never suspect that their own daughter might one day be willing to give up her family name.

    And of course, all of this had been planned with her. Lingyan knew what was going to happen. Now, all he could do was trust that she would play her role right.

    Brushing aside his thoughts, Chen Ren turned his attention back to Feiyu. ¡°So, are you ready to join the sect? I have a lot of work for you, and I¡¯m pretty sure you¡¯re going to love it.¡±

    Feiyu nodded, but there was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.

    Chen Ren caught it immediately. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Feiyu shook his head before exhaling. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ you¡¯ve done me a great favor. And before you decide whether to keep me in the sect or not, I want you to know everything about me.¡±

    Chen Ren paused, thinking about his words for a second. ¡°What do you want to tell me?¡±

    Feiyu hesitated, then squared his shoulders. ¡°About my history. Why is my bloodline that of a slave.¡±

    Chen Ren studied him, wondering if whatever Feiyu was about to reveal would truly change his decision. He already knew that Feiyu¡¯s grandfather had been accused of murder, but what had really happened? Had he been framed? He had no idea about the specifics and even if he had tried to ask Zhu Yuan, the fatty didn''t have the information for him.

    Now that Feiyu was ready to reveal it, he wasn''t going to say no. Getting to know his past might just give him more knowledge on how to handle him.

    ¡°Go ahead,¡± he said.

    Feiyu glanced at the others in the carriage, hesitating for a bit, but in the end, he didn''t seem to care about them as he spoke. ¡°I¡¯m sure you already know my grandfather was accused of murder.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded. ¡°I do.¡± Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°That¡¯s true. But it wasn¡¯t as simple as it sounds.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Chen Ren asked almost immediately.

    A look of conflict crossed Feiyu¡¯s face. He clenched his fists but didn¡¯t back away from his words. ¡°My grandfather didn¡¯t just kill one person. He killed three members of the Zhu Clan.¡±

    Chen Ren stiffened slightly.

    ¡°Three teenagers. Mortals.¡± Feiyu said further. ¡°My grandfather used to have a shop in Ashen City. One of the bigger forges there. But those three¡­ those three kids would use the Zhu Clan¡¯s authority to get wares for free, insulting him as a lowly smith. For a while, my grandfather couldn¡¯t do anything. No matter how many times he tried to directly talk to the Zhu clan patriarch, he did nothing and even the local guards weren''t willing to do anything against members of a clan.¡±

    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    Feiyu clenched his fists, the story coming out in pieces. ¡°So one day, after those three took swords and bows from him to go hunt rabbits, my grandfather¡­ he snapped. I don¡¯t know what exactly happened that day. I¡¯ve heard different versions of it, but the story I heard said something broke in him. He got too angry, too rageful. Maybe it was because the forge had stopped working as well, or maybe he was going through something mentally. But in the end, he killed them. Mercilessly.¡±

    A chill ran through the air, and Chen Ren felt the weight of Feiyu¡¯s words settle around them.

    ¡°Immediately, he was seized by guards. They put him on trial, but even then, he injured some of the guards. From that moment on, my bloodline was branded as demonic, tainted.¡± He paused.

    Chen Ren noticed that Feiyu avoided his gaze. Probably ashamed of his grandfather''s actions, but he still continued the tale.

    ¡°I still don¡¯t know why he did it. I understand they were thieves, but they were teens. They were just drunk on the power of their clan. My grandfather never spoke about it. After that day, he never even said a word, just worked as a slave for the rest of his life. My father¡­ he was the same. Beaten down by the sins of his father, and he passed away early because of it.¡±

    Feiyu¡¯s voice faltered before steadying again. ¡°But thanks to you, I¡¯m free. I¡¯m no longer a slave. I can finally live the life I wish to live. But it doesn¡¯t change the fact of what my grandfather did.¡±

    His eyes dropped for a moment, but then he lifted them to meet Chen Ren¡¯s. ¡°I never knew him. But I feel like I carry the blood of a man with no self-control, a short-tempered, mortal demon. I¡¯m not proud of his actions or to carry his blood.¡±

    Chen Ren listened intently, his expression unreadable as Feiyu''s family''s history ended. And he had to say that it was something that did give him stuff to think about. If he was honest with himself, the Zhu Clan hadn¡¯t struck him as righteous, at least not in the way they carried themselves.

    There had always been something about them that seemed more driven by power and name than any true sense of justice. A part of him had suspected that Feiyu¡¯s grandfather had been framed for the murder, that there were forces behind the scenes using the incident to their advantage. But the reality was different.

    Though, in the end, Feiyu¡¯s family had suffered not just from the crimes of their ancestor, but from a system that used them as pawns.

    And yet, despite the gruesome past, it didn¡¯t change anything in Chen Ren¡¯s decision. Did this story make him hesitate to take Feiyu into his sect? No, not at all. If anything, it strengthened his desire. Feiyu had come to him, ready to lay bare his truth, despite the shame and the weight of it all and knowing there could be consequences to his confession. That kind of honesty was rare, and Chen Ren valued it deeply.

    Judging a person based on ancestry, religion, or who they served had never sat right with him, and it never would. He wasn¡¯t the kind to carry the sins of another. So, he reached out, patting Feiyu¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think you should have gone through all those years of slavery because of your grandfather. Even your father shouldn''t have. You just suffered for the crime of someone else, and I¡¯m not going to hold that against you. You¡¯re an honest man and a capable blacksmith. I don¡¯t expect anything more from you.¡±

    There was a pause, the air feeling lighter now as Feiyu¡¯s shoulders relaxed, the tension in his posture slowly easing.

    ¡°Welcome to the sect.¡± Chen Ren said.

    Feiyu¡¯s eyes widened, numerous flickering in them as he took a deep breath, bowing deeply in gratitude. ¡°Thank you, Daoist Chen.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips twitched, and he quickly corrected him. ¡°Sect Leader Chen.¡±

    Feiyu blinked, caught off guard.

    ¡°Our sect is new,¡± Chen Ren continued, his voice calm yet with a quiet authority that seemed to come naturally now, ¡°and I¡¯m its sect leader. I don¡¯t reveal it to others, though. I just act as a representative of it. But trust me, you¡¯ll get plenty of time to learn about Divine Coin Sect on the road.¡±

    Feiyu processed the words, a mix of astonishment and acceptance crossing his face. After a moment of silence, he asked, ¡°And where are we going, Sect Leader Chen?¡±

    Chen Ren smiled faintly, his eyes turning distant for a moment. ¡°Cloud Mist City. The place where it all started.¡±

    ***

    The road to Cloud Mist City was smooth, with the group traveling comfortably and having a good time. Along the way, they were joined by other carriages headed in the same direction, their convoy expanding as they traveled.

    The journey from Ashen City took two days, following the winding mountain path that led to a wider road, easier and faster to travel. And throughout the trip, Chen Ren kept himself busy, engaging in constant discussions with Feiyu about forging techniques, even throwing in a few pointers about firearms and the uses of guns.

    He also spent time with Zi Han and Anji, discussing their plans for Cloud Mist City, how he would check in on his former businesses there, and what actions they¡¯d need to take moving forward.

    To his surprise, Hong Yi, who had been quietly drawing new designs for his puppets on parchment the entire journey, seemed interested in trying out the noodles Chen Ren had briefly mentioned about. He hadn¡¯t pegged him as a foodie, but he supposed everyone had their hidden interests.

    As the days passed and the distant city grew nearer, the group¡¯s pace remained steady, and soon enough, Cloud Mist City came into view. It wasn¡¯t as bustling as it had been during the tournament, but there were still plenty of carriages waiting to go out. Like any other cultivator, Chen Ren was given easy preference once Zi Han showed the sect crest, allowing them to pass through without much delay.

    ¡°We are almost there,¡± Chen Ren said.

    He wasn¡¯t eager to go into the city himself¡ªhe needed to let his disciples handle the smaller tasks, and he had a strong suspicion the city hadn¡¯t fully recovered from the Dragonheart fever yet.

    So, while the others discussed the task he had given them, Chen Ren observed the familiar streets, noticing the ebb and flow of people. He even caught sight of a few women carrying perfumes from the Heavenly Fragrances store. That was a good sign¡ªthose perfumes were still selling well, just like before.

    However, as they reached Market Street, something caught his eye that made him freeze.

    Just at the entrance of the street, two noodle stalls were set up, and though there were a few people loitering around them, they were unfamiliar to him. The stalls didn¡¯t carry the sect crest, which meant they were knock-offs¡ªcopycats who¡¯d decided to jump on the noodle craze he¡¯d started. Chen Ren narrowed his eyes, watching them carefully, until Hong Yi, who had been quiet until now, finally broke the silence.

    ¡°Are these the noodle stalls you own?¡± he asked.

    Chen Ren shook his head, his lips curling into a small smile. ¡°No, they¡¯re copycats. Probably people who saw the success and decided there was good money to be made. It¡¯s not hard to replicate the setup¡ªthey¡¯re simple to make.¡±

    He paused, continuing to observe the stalls with mild amusement. ¡°Honestly, I expected them to pop up a while ago, but it seems people didn¡¯t want to offend a cultivator. They waited until I was out of the city. To be honest, though, I couldn¡¯t care less.¡±

    The copycats were just that¡ªimitators with no creativity, trying to capitalize on something that had already gained a reputation. Chen Ren wasn¡¯t concerned. If they wanted to make a few coins off noodles, let them. He had bigger plans than petty competition with these amateurs.

    As they moved on, Chen Ren remained thoughtful, but his focus shifted as they neared the Tang Clan estate. There was still much to do, but for now, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder just how far his little noodle venture would spread.

    It had been a good starting business, and he was proud of it, but it wasn¡¯t making as much money¡ªor qi¡ªas he¡¯d hoped. Not yet, anyway. There were still bigger plans ahead, particularly for once his mortal sect members could stand on their own and help expand it. But for now, his mind had other things to focus on.

    Lost in thought, he barely noticed when they crossed the street toward the Tang Clan estate. The carriage came to a stop, and he quickly exited, stepping onto the familiar grounds. The guards at the gate saw him and immediately bowed respectfully.

    Without missing a beat, he asked, ¡°Is Young Miss Tang Yuqiu home?¡±

    They nodded, and as he made his way through the estate, his entourage followed, eyes scanning the surroundings with quiet curiosity. The courtyard was peaceful as always, but the soft shuffle of footsteps echoed as suddenly Tang Yuqiu appeared at the door. She was accompanied by her maid and another servant, clearly informed of his arrival.

    As soon as she saw him, a smile tugged at her lips, but it quickly faded, replaced by a more serious expression. ¡°Chen Ren,¡± she greeted, her voice carrying a hint of something urgent. ¡°It¡¯s good to see you again. You¡¯ve come at the right time. We¡¯re facing a big problem.¡±

    ***

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 Chapter 81: Expansion troubles

    After Tang Yuqiu ordered her maid to get lodging for his disciples, Chen Ren moved with her through the hallway alone. He could see that her steps were hurried and she kept looking back at him to ensure that he was following her.

    "What''s wrong?" Chen Ren asked, but Yuqiu only shook her head.

    "I''ll explain once we''re inside the room," she replied tensely. He nodded, silently following her.

    Once they entered her room and the door closed behind them, Chen Ren took a seat across from her, his eyes scanning the room, then moved back to her. It hadn''t been long since they''d parted ways, but the change in Yuqiu was palpable.

    The familiar, soft elegance was still there, but the atmosphere around her had shifted. She wasn¡¯t the same person he had left behind. The once carefree yet determined woman had clearly grown into someone who carried more responsibilities on her shoulders.

    She had been running the perfume business alone, managing the details Chen Ren had left her. It was clear it had taken a toll, both physically and mentally.

    Tang Yuqiu spoke first, breaking the silence that hung between them. ¡°It seems like things are going well for you,¡± she said, her eyes shining. ¡°There are quite a few new faces. Cultivators?¡±

    Chen Ren gave a small smile. ¡°Two among them, and more back in the sect. I got lucky with them.¡± He paused for a moment. ¡°Though, there are far more mortals. I¡¯m hoping they¡¯re setting up the alcohol production right now.¡±

    ¡°Alcohol?¡± Yuqiu raised an eyebrow. ¡°You got into that now?¡±

    ¡°Yes," he answered with a half-smile. "It¡¯s a different type than the ones out in the market. Stronger. I sold everything I had or I would have brought some for you.¡±

    Yuqiu waved her hand dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I don¡¯t drink much, and you know my father¡ªit''s better if he doesn¡¯t drink.¡±

    After that, a brief silence fell over them. Chen Ren could feel that small talk was over and the topic she wanted to talk about was going to come now. He waited patiently, eyes steady on her face.

    She sighed, noticing the urge in his eyes and leaned back in her seat. ¡°Anyway, the problem I talked about¡­ It started once I looked into your expansion plan and tried to build up this mall you mentioned.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s brow furrowed slightly as he leaned forward, sensing the concern in her voice. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you would find problems in Cloud Mist City,¡± he said, his tone betraying his confusion.

    Before leaving Cloud Mist City, Chen Ren had given Yuqiu the expansion plan for Heavenly Fragrances since he knew he was going to be busy with his sect. It was to ensure his income would keep increasing while also boosting his cultivation at the same time.  S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Building the sect had always been a priority for Chen Ren, but this didn''t mean he was going to leave his current businesses behind. So, he had given her the idea of a mall to house multiple shops in one location, although it wasn¡¯t as grand as the ones back on Earth. They had planned to start small, with only three to four businesses in the mall, a manageable beginning before they expanded further.

    ¡°Actually, the problem didn¡¯t come from Cloud Mist City,¡± Tang Yuqiu said, shaking her head slightly and bringing him back from his thoughts. ¡°It went smoothly here. I was able to increase the floors in Heavenly Fragrances and created a structure like you told me. It¡¯s small right now, and we aren¡¯t renting out the space to other businesses yet. I want to see how it works before increasing its size. Thankfully, there¡¯s enough space around it.¡±

    She paused, gathering her thoughts. ¡°But the problem came when I inquired about expanding to other cities, and let me tell you¡ªit isn¡¯t going to be easy. We¡¯ve already received threats.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes widened, his surprise visible. ¡°What kind of threats?¡± He leaned forward, a the protective instinct rising within him. ¡°I¡¯m surprised anyone would dare give threats to the Tang Clan.¡±

    Yuqiu looked at him as if he was not understanding the situation. ¡°They can¡¯t do that in Cloud Mist City, but the world is wide, and there are places even my father wasn¡¯t able to expand into. One of those places is Jingxi, and I¡¯ve chosen it as the main place where we could set up our next mall.¡±

    ¡°As you know, our products are mainly catered to women right now, and that city is perfect for it. It¡¯s a major trade route for merchants, with a solid middle class population that can afford our products without hesitation. There are sects nearby, but nothing major enough to worry about. It seemed like the perfect place.¡±

    Chen Ren was about to speak when she raised her hand, indicating that there was more to the story.

    ¡°But the major problem in the city isn¡¯t the sects¡ªit¡¯s the clans and trade associations,¡± she continued. ¡°They are powerful enough to be a real problem. And they¡¯ve already gotten wind of our intentions. And they love to show off their power.¡± she rolled her eyes as she spoke. ¡°They¡¯re already trying to prevent us from acquiring property there. They seem to have figured out just how big our products have gotten in Cloud Mist City. I was even offered a supply contract, but the terms were so bad, I couldn¡¯t even consider it.¡±

    Chen Ren slowly absorbed the weight of Yuqiu¡¯s words, and he couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of inevitability. He had expected something like this¡ªestablished clans rarely took kindly to upstarts trying to break into their markets, and the perfume business was no exception. Anyone would act accordingly if they felt threatened, at least in this world.

    He nodded, letting the silence linger for a moment as he processed the situation. His thoughts spilled to different possibilities. But none would be set in stone until he knew the exact depth of the situation. ¡°So, are we unable to acquire property there?¡± he asked.

    Yuqiu shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s not that. I did get one building, but... looking at the place, considering all the pressure, we won¡¯t be able to set up a full perfume factory there. If we do, it would mean transporting raw materials from far away, and that¡¯s not feasible since it''s harder to find the herbs we need in the city.¡±

    ¡°We can manage transportation, but not for everything.¡± He paused for a beat, then shifted the conversation, wanting to focus on the more positive developments. ¡°And how¡¯s the cloth project going?¡±

    At the mention of it, Yuqiu¡¯s face lit up, the worry temporarily vanishing from her eyes. A soft smile tugged at her lips as she rose to her feet. ¡°I¡¯ve been meaning to ask you about that! The designs were tucked so far back in those parchments you gave me so I missed asking you about them when you were leaving, but... how did you even come up with something like that?¡±

    Chen Ren watched as she moved toward a nearby chest, retrieving a box. She carefully pulled out a selection of women¡¯s dresses. She handed them over to him, and he ran his fingers over the material, the texture telling him that Yuqiu hadn¡¯t skimped on anything to get them made.

    They were¡­ exquisite. Chen Ren ran his fingers over the smooth fabric once again, appreciating the attention to detail.

    The dresses were undeniably beautiful, but there was something subtly different about them. Unlike the tightly fitted garments that most women wore¡ªthose that clung to the body, leaving little room for comfort¡ªthe dresses Yuqiu had created were much more fluid and free. Where most dresses focused on accentuating curves and restricting movement, these seemed to offer a new sense of freedom, as though the wearer could move without feeling constricted. The cuts were soft, flowing, designed to drape elegantly around the body rather than cling tightly.

    Yuqiu had taken care to ensure the design was modest without being plain. The folds gathered at strategic points¡ªaround the waist, over the hips¡ªcreating a sense of structure, but also allowing for comfort. The way the dresses were designed to hang just off the shoulders or around the neck made them feel more¡­ comfortable. And the pattern of the dress? He picked a dress from the pile and looked over it, seeing the bold lines and flower designs that accentuated the beige colour.

    Chen Ren could imagine how dresses like these would complement a woman''s body, not by drawing attention to a single feature but by making the whole form appear graceful and dignified. He could already picture a woman walking in one of these dresses, every movement highlighting the elegant folds of the fabric, making her feel as though she were wearing something truly unique, something that made a statement without saying a word.

    He turned to her with a small smile, gently placing the dress back on the table and answering her earlier question. ¡°I asked Xiulan and the others for input, and then I realized how restrictive and unthinking most women¡¯s clothing is. I wanted to create something comfortable, something that would be both practical and fashionable.¡± He tilted his head slightly, eyeing her. ¡°Did you like it?¡±

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    Tang Yuqiu¡¯s smile broadened. ¡°I love them. I wore one of these to a gathering two weeks ago, and I could feel everyone¡¯s eyes on me. I think they¡¯ll be a huge hit. They might even be the next big thing.¡±

    Chen Ren felt a spark of hope ignite within him. , he thought.

    He had created the designs thinking about how clothing has evolved over time, blending chinese fashion sense with modern-day designs, hoping to craft something that would appeal to the masses. He had spent time during the tournament, waiting for his turn in the fighting arena, brainstorming the designs. He¡¯d never expected that something born from idle thoughts would end up becoming a potential game-changer. And he realized these designs would complement the perfume line perfectly.

    Unlike perfume, which required a complex network of raw materials and precise measurements, clothing could be mass-produced by simply gathering women who were looking for work and teaching them how to weave. It was a simpler process once they got the supply for the material. Chen Ren thought about how easy it was to set up a small-scale factory for the clothes, and a small, almost absurd idea crossed his mind.

    Because after all, this world didn¡¯t have any automation. Which meant that everything was crafted.

    The thought lingered for a moment, but before he could dive deeper into it, Yuqiu¡¯s voice brought him back to the present. "I¡¯ve been working on getting a group of weavers together to start building more of these dresses," she said. "We should have a good amount ready soon."

    Chen Ren nodded, his mind already thinking ahead. "That¡¯s good. I might be able to get one more product for the mall opening in Jingxi. but I¡¯m still trying to come up with it." He paused, rubbing his chin. "How long do you think it will take?"

    Yuqiu smiled, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. "We¡¯re still constructing in Jingxi, so it¡¯ll be about a month. But you can check out the progress at the Heavenly Fragrances shop right now. It¡¯s coming together well."

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes brightened at that. "I¡¯ll take a look," he said, his mind already working on the possibilities. Then, as if something else had occurred to her, Yuqiu hesitated for a moment before asking, "How many days will you be in the city?"

    "Two days," he answered. "I mostly came to see your progress and the accounts. And also to meet with Qing He. I had wanted to consult her on some things."

    Yuqiu nodded. "That¡¯s alright. I think I have the account books here. Let me bring them to you. But I have to say... our sales have been really good. I think you¡¯re going to like what you see."

    Chen Ren smiled, feeling a surge of relief. "I¡¯m looking forward to it."

    ***

    As Yuqiu had said, the money coming in from the perfumes and even the food stalls had increased significantly. For the perfumes, Yuqiu had been handling everything with her usual efficiency, and it was clear that her efforts had paid off. More and more women were returning to purchase more of the fragrances once their previous bottles ran out, a trend that only seemed to grow with time. But it wasn¡¯t just about the steady sales; Yuqiu had also started researching ways to expand their perfume line, working tirelessly to develop new scents and recruit more people to help with production. Chen Ren couldn¡¯t have asked for a better outcome. Everything seemed to be progressing faster than he had even hoped.

    He¡¯d felt the surge of qi entering him over the last month, and he couldn¡¯t help but think it was no coincidence. The success of the perfume line, combined with his growing cultivation, made him certain that the next time he broke through, he might just cross a few stars in his advancement.

    As for the noodle stall, well, it had grown into something even more profitable. They had expanded the offerings to include crispy chips alongside the noodles, and even with some copycats emerging, their stall remained just as popular, generating steady profits. Unfortunately, summer had come to an end, which meant that sales of the ice cream had dropped off more than he would¡¯ve liked. But Chen Ren wasn¡¯t worried. He already had plans for the next summer, and he was confident that he could turn things around when the season came back.

    After checking the accounts and taking a tour of his businesses, Chen Ren decided it was time to leave Yuqiu to handle the rest of her work. He made his way to the tea shop to meet Qing He¡ªthe old woman who had become, in many ways, his second master after Yalan.

    He brought Feiyu along, knowing that the conversation would be important for him, and the two of them entered the tea house. The scent of tea leaves filled his nostrils and there, seated where she usually was Qing He, sipping tea. Her face was neutral, as she slowly placed the cup in front of her.

    As soon as Chen Ren entered the tea house, Qing He''s eyes snapped up, locking onto him with an intensity that almost felt like a physical force. But there was no warm welcome in her gaze. Instead, a scowl quickly replaced the usual calmness that Chen Ren had grown used to.

    "I was thinking the wind is a bit different now," she said, her voice edged with sarcasm. "But I can see that you¡¯re back in the city after a failed attempt at starting the sect."

    Chen Ren walked towards her without responding immediately and pulled a stool out, sitting down casually. "Failed?" he echoed with a raised eyebrow. "I already have some new disciples, and things are going better than expected."

    He gestured toward Feiyu, who stood by his side, ready to back him up. Qing He¡¯s gaze shifted to the young man standing there. She gave him a quick once-over, her sharp eyes evaluating him in a way that seemed to peel away layers, and then she spoke. "You look like a good cultivator. Not that talented, but not bad. Why are you following this fool?" Her words were blunt, and she didn¡¯t even attempt to mask the judgment.

    Feiyu didn¡¯t hesitate. Standing tall, he looked directly at Qing He. "I will follow Sect Leader Chen all my life," he said with sincerity. "He has given me a new lease leash on life, and there¡¯s nothing that would change my decision."

    Qing He raised an eyebrow at the conviction in Feiyu¡¯s voice, her scowl fading into a hint of surprise. Her gaze flicked back to Chen Ren, who had a faint, amused smile on his face.

    "You¡¯ve learned some manipulation techniques, kid," she remarked dryly.

    Chen Ren chuckled, the sound light but with an edge of confidence. "Why don¡¯t you believe he¡¯s being genuine?" he asked, leaning back slightly. "I have a lot that could help him out."

    Qing He¡¯s lips twisted into a brief, almost imperceptible smirk, but it was gone just as quickly. "I hope so," she said, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Or I would feel bad seeing that man get the wrong end of the stick. So why are you here, really?" she asked, clearly knowing Chen Ren¡¯s ways by now, then seemed to hesitate and stand up from her seat. "Actually, I was hoping you would stop by. I have something to show you that might help you out," she added.

    Chen Ren¡¯s interest was piqued. "What is it?" he asked, already trying to read the situation.

    Qing He glanced at the few customers still present in the tea house, then back at him with a hint of mischief in her eyes. "You¡¯re lucky. It¡¯s not the peak hour," she said. "Walk with me."

    She stood and motioned for him and Feiyu to follow her. Chen Ren exchanged a quick glance with Feiyu before they both rose and trailed after her, heading towards the staircase.They walked up the stairs in silence. Chen Ren couldn¡¯t help but wonder what kind of revelation she was about to reveal, but he knew better than to press her for answers too soon.

    When they reached the room that Chen Ren had often frequented, the space that had once been filled with books and scrolls, he noticed something strange. The floor, usually organized, was now scattered with books. Some were open, others simply discarded, but in the center of the chaos, there was one book that immediately caught his attention.

    It had a cover that depicted the Four Heavenly Beasts, with a golden dragon at its center. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of it. He had never seen this particular book before, and something about it made his heart skip a beat.

    Qing He, noticing his reaction, gave him a small smile. "After you left," she began, "I decided I needed to do some reading of my own. I wanted to find out more about that dragon inside of you." She bent down, her eyes now focused on the book. "What I found... I don¡¯t know if you¡¯re going to like it or not."

    ***

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 Chapter 82: Devourers

    Chen Ren knew that he was somehow tied up in a conspiracy far above his pay grade. It wasn¡¯t something he liked to dwell on¡ªknowing he was missing crucial pieces of the puzzle only frustrated him¡ªbut the truth had been clear for a long time. A dragon lived in his star space.

    No one in history had ever carried a dragon in their star space and lived a simple merchant¡¯s life. That just wasn¡¯t how the world worked.

    Despite that knowledge, he had stubbornly clung to his chosen path. He built his businesses, trained when he could, and tried to carve out a future where, if trouble ever came knocking, he¡¯d be strong enough to handle it. he thought grimly,

    The book lay spawled on the floor in front of him, standing out among the others Qing He had gathered. Just looking at it sent a shiver of unease down his spine. The cover was unlike anything he had ever seen¡ªold, yet pristine, as if untouched by time. The dark leather was embossed with different designs, and at the center, surrounded by the four sacred beasts¡ªthe white tiger, the black turtle, the crimson phoenix, and, of course, in the middle was the golden dragon coiled in a spiral, its head raised as if it were staring straight into his soul. It reminded him of the actual dragon he¡¯d seen in his star space.

    His fingers hovered over the cover before he slowly picked it up. It was heavier than expected, the kind of weight that made him feel like he was holding more than just a book.

    Taking a steadying breath, he opened it.

    His eyes scanned the first few lines, expecting something that would shake his world. Instead, his brows furrowed in confusion. He blinked, rereading the words, but he knew he couldn¡¯t.

    "I can¡¯t read this," he said finally, glancing at Qing He.

    She scoffed. "Obviously, you can¡¯t."

    Before he could react, she plucked the book from his hands, flipping through the pages with a sharp snap of her fingers. "If it were that easy to decipher, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to get my hands on it in the first place. Do you know how many dusty old coots in my sect would sell their souls to study this?" She tapped a page. "The only reason they let me keep it is because no one understands Ancient Immortal script, the language it¡¯s written in. Even I could only make sense of parts of it, and that was after hours of painstakingly translating every single word."

    Chen Ren mulled over Qing He¡¯s word, his mind catching on one detail in particular¡ªher . She had never once let anything slip about her background before. Not even a hint. Yet now, she had practically confirmed it. She belong to a sect.

    But which one?

    That, he would have to find out in time.

    For now, he kept his attention on the book still in her grasp. His eyes shifted to the cover again before he asked, ¡°Ancient Immortal script? What¡¯s that?¡±

    Qing He¡¯s gaze lingered on him for a second before she spoke. ¡°It¡¯s ancient like its name. We call it the Language of the Old. From the Era of the Ancients. Even among top cultivators, it¡¯s not something widely known¡ªunless they¡¯re deeply invested in history.¡±

    She flipped through the pages idly, then added, ¡°I found this book in an old tomb, buried near the lair of a Tier 5 beast.¡±

    Chen Ren arched a brow. ¡°And you can read it?¡±

    Qing He smirked. ¡°Parts of it.¡±

    Then, as if realizing how much she¡¯d revealed, she snapped, ¡°Do you even want to know what¡¯s inside the book or not?¡±

    Chen Ren met her gaze steadily. ¡°Yeah. I do.¡±

    She studied him for a moment before nodding. ¡°Alright.¡±

    Flipping back to the first page, she ran a finger over the faded ink. ¡°This book is an account from the Era of the Ancients, a time when the world was ruled by four primary sects. There were no empires, no kingdoms¡ªjust those four, each one tied to one of the Heavenly Beasts.¡±

    She began listing them out.

    ¡°The Sect of the Crimson Phoenix¡ªthe heart of alchemists and blacksmiths. They harnessed the flames of the beast they worshipped, refining artifacts and pills unlike anything seen in our time.

    ¡°The Sect of the White Tiger¡ªa brotherhood of warriors. Martial cultivators of the highest order, acting as the protectors of the world.

    ¡°The Sect of the Black Tortoise¡ªmasters of restoration and healing, wielding techniques that could mend not only the body, but the very land itself.¡±

    Then she paused.

    Chen Ren caught the hesitation immediately. ¡°What about the golden dragon?¡±

    Qing He exhaled, glancing back down at the book. ¡°That¡­ is harder to say.¡±

    She tapped a passage thoughtfully. ¡°The book describes it as the sect that ruled over all the others. It didn¡¯t just govern¡ªit oversaw prosperity itself.¡±

    At that, Chen Ren tilted his head. Prosperity

    Was that a metaphor, or something else entirely?

    Did it mean the Golden Dragon Sect was simply a prosperous governing body for the other three sects? Or was there a deeper meaning behind it?

    A thought crossed his mind, and he asked, ¡°Is there any mention of it being focused on wealth? Money?¡±

    Qing He immediately shook her head. ¡°No. The character for prosperity in Ancient Immortal script is entirely different from the one used for wealth or trade. There¡¯s no connection.¡±

    She sighed, flipping a page. ¡°Let me continue.¡±

    Both Chen Ren and Feiyu, who had been quietly listening this whole time, nodded.

    ¡°The four sects were rivals, yet they functioned within the same system, supporting one another,¡± Qing He explained. ¡°It was an era of opportunity and peace. Back then, spirit manifestations were as common as rice. Nearly every cultivator had one, and the Heavenly Beasts themselves frequently revealed their presence in the world.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s brows furrowed.

    Qing He continued, ¡°And from the way this book describes it, the average cultivator back then was much stronger than the ones today. But in the end, all of it¡­ changed.¡±

    Chen Ren caught onto the shift in her tone. His mind immediately jumped to something Yalan had once mentioned¡ª

    His throat felt dry as he asked, ¡°Changed? Did something happen that ended the Era of the Ancients?¡±

    Qing He¡¯s eyes flickered to something Chen Ren couldn¡¯t point exactly. ¡°The book doesn¡¯t go into details, but something forced the sects to come together. Every cultivator in the world was called upon to deal with it.¡±

    She took a breath, her fingers tightening around the book¡¯s cover. ¡°And with that¡­ a war erupted.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes narrowed.

    ¡°It says that during this war, tens of thousands died single day. And it lasted for months.¡±

    That sentence alone brought a grave silence that stretched between them.

    Then, Feiyu, who had remained quiet until now, spoke up. ¡°What were they fighting against?¡±

    Qing He let out a slow exhale. ¡°The book calls them Devourers¡±

    Chen Ren felt an uneasy chill crawl up his spine at the name. ¡°Devourers?¡±

    Qing He nodded. ¡°There¡¯s no information on where they came from or whatexactly happened. Not even a description of what they looked like.¡± She hesitated, then added, ¡°For all we know¡­ they could have been giant bugs.¡±

    Chen Ren shuddered.

    No amount of coin would help him with that.

    Seeing the look on his face, Qing He chuckled. ¡°Relax. I wasn¡¯t being serious. Like I said, we don¡¯t know what they looked like.¡± She tapped a finger against the book. ¡°All we know is that they destroyed everything¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°Everything?¡±

    ¡°The war left no clear victors.¡± Qing He¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°There¡¯s no mention of who won or how it ended. Just that civilization collapsed, and the Heavenly Beasts disappeared¡ªleaving their sects buried in the ground.¡±

    She sighed. ¡°I¡¯d assume the Devourers were either defeated or driven away, or we wouldn¡¯t be ignorant of them today. But even though humanity survived, the structure of the world was completely crushed.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s mind raced.

    The Era of the Ancients¡ªgone. Their sects, once the ruling force of the world¡ªburied. The Heavenly Beasts¡ªvanished. All of it felt more like a story than what had actually happened, but a part of him knew it was true. Maybe there were parts the book was missing, but it helped give him a general sense of what had transpired.

    Qing He turned another page. ¡°The book briefly details the rise of a few small civilizations after the war¡­ but none of them lasted. Most cultivators had died. Without them, society crumbled.¡± She frowned. ¡°There¡¯s no mention of the Kalian Empire, which I¡¯m guessing came much later. In fact, this book might have been written during that transitional period.¡± She tapped the page agains. ¡°But one thing it does say is that the Heavenly Beasts were so injured, they had to hide¡ªto heal themselves in case another threat ever came to the world.¡± S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    At that, Qing He finally stopped speaking, letting the weight of the words settle between them.

    Chen Ren exhaled slowly, his fingers tightening slightly.

    A lost civilization wasn¡¯t surprising. Even on Earth, there had been ancient societies that disappeared¡ª History was filled with collapse and rebirth.

    But an entire world built around worshiping the Heavenly Beasts?

    That was different.

    His mind spun as he pieced things together. If Qing He¡¯s information was correct, the Heavenly Beasts had been damaged in the war, needing thousands of years to recover.

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    But the dragon he met¡­

    It didn¡¯t look injured in any way.

    So¡­ had it already recovered?

    And if so¡ªwhat was its purpose now?

    Had it chosen him to rebuild the civilization that had once been lost? Or was it something else entirely?

    As Chen Ren pieced everything together, an extremely terrifying possibility formed in his mind. His heart thumped harder as he glanced at Qing He.

    ¡°Do you think¡­ the golden dragon is back because it believes the devourers will return soon?¡±

    Qing He¡¯s fingers stilled against the ancient pages.

    For a moment, silence stretched between them. Her face seemed more serious under the lanterns that casted heavy shadows, but he could see it¡ªthe same thought had already crossed her mind.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she finally admitted. ¡°It could be. But it could also be that it¡¯s just¡­ healed.¡±

    Chen Ren scoffed. ¡°I doubt it.¡± His arms crossed, brows furrowed. ¡°That goes against cultivation logic.¡±

    Qing He raised an eyebrow. ¡°I don¡¯t know your ¡®logic.¡¯ All we have are possibilities right now.¡±

    That was true.

    He exhaled sharply, nodding. He understood her point, but the frown on his face remained.

    Learning about an ancient civilization connected to the Heavenly Beasts and their destruction gave him context¡ªbut in the end, it wasn¡¯t something he could act on.

    Not yet.

    Not until he spoke to the dragon again.

    But that was another problem. He hadn¡¯t seen it since that encounter in the tournament. He could only hope it would appear again¡ªperhaps once he broke through further in qi refinement and became stronger.

    His fingers tapped against the table, mind whirling, but eventually, he turned his gaze back to Qing He and inclined his head.

    ¡°¡­Thank you,¡± he said. ¡°For finding more information about the golden dragon for me.¡±

    Qing He waved a hand dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±

    He smirked slightly, then leaned back against the wall. ¡°That said, I think the best thing I can do is just¡ªget stronger. Prepare for what¡¯s coming.¡±

    At that, Qing He nodded. ¡°That¡¯s a good way to go.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s lips curled into a small grin. ¡°Glad we agree. Speaking of that I wanted to ask for your help with a weapon.¡±

    Qing He blinked. ¡°A weapon?¡±

    Chen Ren nodded. He glanced toward Feiyu, who silently pulled out a tightly rolled parchment and placed it before Qing He.

    She picked it up, unrolling it carefully.

    She went through everything in a single swoop of her glance¡ªdetailed schematics, exact measurements, notes written in a mixture of his own script and symbols meant for easier understanding.

    For the next five minutes, Qing He said nothing.

    She simply studied it.

    Her eyes flickered over every detail, scanning the blueprint with intense focus.

    And for the first time, Chen Ren saw it¡ª

    A spark of genuine surprise on her face.

    Finally, she placed the parchment down and met his gaze.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen a weapon like this.¡± Her fingers tapped lightly against the paper. ¡°Making the body might be simple enough¡­ but I¡¯m guessing what you really need my help with is this¡ª¡± She pointed at the description of a powder ¡°The explosive compound that gives it the strength to fire off this shell called a bullet¡±

    Chen Ren grinned. ¡°You¡¯re smart.¡± His hand came up, rubbing his temple with a sigh. "The problem is," he admitted, "I know the components of the gun and exactly how to make it. But the powder... that''s where things get tricky." His brow furrowed. "I barely remember the formula. I need someone experienced in alchemy¡ªlike you¡ªto create a replacement."

    Qing He tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Alchemists aren¡¯t usually known for making explosive pills. Their focus is more on enhancing the body, healing, or refining qi."

    "Yeah, I figured that much after going through the books you gave me." He exhaled, drumming his fingers on the table. "But I was hoping there was an exception to that rule. Is there no alchemist you know who could help us?"

    As he hoped, Qing He¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up, a ghost of a smile played on her lips.

    ¡°Well," she said, "I can think of one alchemist who was very interested in making explosions out of pills."

    Chen Ren straightened. "Who?"

    Instead of answering immediately, Qing He stood and walked over to a shelf, rummaging through a small pile of old, leather-bound books. She pulled one free, dusting it off before setting it on the table in front of him.

    "This one."

    Chen Ren glanced down at the cover.

    by Yandi.

    A long pause ensued between them. Chen Ren blinked, unable to hide his surprise, shock and confusion at the title of the book.

    "...What?"

    Qing He smirked. ¡°You should read it first.¡±

    Chen Ren gingerly picked up the book, turning it over in his hands. "Who wrote this? And why does the title sound so¡ª" He struggled for the right word. "¡ªunhinged?"

    Qing He crossed her arms. "A short-lived cultivator who only reached the peak of qi refinement realm before dying while testing what he called the All-Consuming Explosion Pill." She shook her head. "Ironically, it consumed him."

    Chen Ren let out a low whistle. "I guess he knew what he was getting into."

    "He lived around two hundred years ago," Qing He continued. "Got kicked out of his sect for blowing up too many buildings while experimenting with explosions. But he became famous for his series on explosive pills, which are now considered treasures."

    Chen Ren exhaled through his nose, a dry smirk curling on his lips. "Yeah, I can definitely imagine some lunatic cultivator with an anarchist streak running around, throwing bombs like a madman. That¡¯s... honestly terrifying."

    Qing He nodded in agreement.

    He flipped through a few pages of the book, scanning the chaotic notes and diagrams. "How many of these books did he write?"

    Qing He shrugged. "I don¡¯t know. The first volume has a few copies floating around, but the second and third are much harder to find. There are rumors of a fourth, but nothing confirmed. I only managed to get my hands on the first volume thanks to some contacts I have."

    "Figures," Chen Ren muttered. "Explosive pills aren''t exactly standard market fare."

    "Right," Qing He agreed. "But this guy was known for using pills exclusively for battle and destruction. If we¡¯re looking for a substitute for your black powder, I¡¯m pretty sure his work will help us."

    Chen Ren grinned. "That would be great. We can go over his work, and I¡¯ll try to piece together what I remember about different types of guns and gunpowder."

    For the first time since the discussion started, Feiyu, who had been completely silent, suddenly spoke up.

    "...There¡¯s more than one type?"

    Both Qing He and Chen Ren turned to look at him.

    Chen Ren smirked. "Oh, Feiyu, you have no idea. You can make a lot of different types," he said, glancing at him. "Simpler guns, deadlier ones like rifles, and even long-range weapons like snipers."

    Feiyu nodded in curiosity before a frown covered his face. Chen Ren couldn¡¯t tell if the man was happy that there were so many other types or was unhappy that it could only get complicated from here. But it didn¡¯t matter.

    "Then if you do start this, I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s going to be a long project." Qing He asked, bringing him back into the conversation.

    Chen Ren nodded without hesitation. "Yeah. I plan to arm everyone in my sect with these things. Even mortals can use them."

    "That¡¯s a dangerous undertaking." She crossed her arms. "If these weapons are really strong, then even the guardian sects might take interest. And trust me¡ªthe current order of the empire might collapse if mortals get that kind of power."

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze was steady. "I do understand that," he admitted. "And I don¡¯t plan to sell them." He exhaled. "But right now, with so even with a few cultivators, my sect is grossly weak. I need to do something about it. If sects come for it, then I¡¯ll deal with that when it happens." His fingers clenched into a fist. "If we actually pull this off and get more mortals into the sect, I¡¯m pretty sure we¡¯d be strong enough to not get crushed¡ªeven by a guardian sect."

    Qing He shook her head. Chen Ren caught the smile that played in her face. "You and your ambitions." She sighed. "Just make sure you don¡¯t slip up. You¡¯d fall headfirst if you do."

    Chen Ren smirked. "I¡¯ll try not to." His gaze softened slightly as he looked at her. "So... are you willing to help me with it?"

    Qing He didn¡¯t answer immediately. She drummed her fingers on her robs, staring at the book in thought. "...That would mean leaving my shop here." Her lips quirked into a half-smile. "I think I said the same thing last time when you asked me to come to that little village where your sect is. The answer is the same."

    Chen Ren shrugged. "It¡¯s temporary this time. Once we figure out the gunpowder, I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll be needed much after that." He leaned forward. "Besides, I have something I can trade you for your help."

    Qing He narrowed her eyes. "Oh? And what would that be?"

    "How would you like recipes for different types of tea?"

    ***

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 Chapter 83: Progression finally

    It took a while, but Qing He was finally on board with moving to the sect temporarily to work on the gunpowder and assist with the casing of the gun itself. By the end of their discussion, she had even provided ideas for the weapon¡¯s construction, suggesting the use of runes to reinforce the structure and improve durability.

    Chen Ren hadn''t given much thought to that aspect¡ªhis knowledge of runes was basic, limited to the ones he used for talismans¡ªbut Qing He¡¯s insights were detailed enough that even Feiyu found himself agreeing. By the time their conversation ended, he got the distinct impression that she wasn''t just coming along because he asked her to; she was genuinely interested in the project itself.

    With that settled, they didn¡¯t linger in Cloud Mist City for much longer. He made his rounds, visiting the noodle stall, making rounds of Heavenly Fragrances, and checking in on the staff. He went over the accounts and spoke with Yuqiu about their next steps, making sure that they had a plan in place for expansion. While he wouldn¡¯t be around personally, he reassured her that he¡¯d assist with any problems that arose. And that was all she needed.

    Once that was done, he set out for the village with the rest of his party behind him.

    Fortunately, the roads weren¡¯t in bad shape, and they made good time on the journey; with occasional conversations and resting. Before long, they were met with the sight of the village.

    They soon made their way toward the sect¡¯s buildings.

    Even in the short time he had been away, he could tell a lot had changed. He could tell. Construction was still ongoing, but there was a clear sense of order now.

    The scattered chaos of early development had dissipated, giving way to something more structured¡ªorganized. And as they got closer, Chen Ren noticed a few mortal sect members lingering outside. It wasn¡¯t long before one of them moved inside, likely to call Tang Xiulan as they stepped out of the carriage.

    Soon, she walked outside with Zi Wen behind her, but Chen Ren''s eyes didn''t move to them. They locked onto the massive wolf, who was towering over both of them and momentarily, he was stunned.

    Of course, Little Yuze had been large before he had left, but now the beast looked nothing short of a behemoth. He had grown a foot or two, his fur darker, darker than the obsidian than was before and more imposing, and as he opened his mouth, Chen Ren caught sight of far more pointed teeth than he recalled.

    ¡°Good to see you both again.¡± He looked back at Zi Wen and Xiulan but his eyes went back to the wolf for a while, assessing the changes closely, before turning his head back to Zi Wen. "It seems like you were successful."

    Zi Wen nodded with a proud smile. "Yes. I hadn''t expected it, but once I found that link to my new path that I was searching for, things happened quickly. Even Little Yuze changed once I formed a strong connection with him. I don''t know why."

    Chen Ren hummed thoughtfully and tilted his head towards the wolf. "Yalan told me that Beastmasters naturally accelerate the development of their beasts once they form a link. So it''s probably that, but I''d love to experiment more to see what else has changed. Though..." He glanced back toward the carriage. "I think we should wait until Yalan wakes up from her nap before bothering her."

    Zi Wen chuckled. "That¡¯s fair.¡± He scratched the back of his neck and spoke again. ¡°But Sect Leader Chen, it wasn¡¯t just me who connected to the Dao while you were gone."

    Chen Ren couldn¡¯t help but raise his eyebrows. "Then... Luo Feng?"

    Xiulan, who had been quiet so far, nodded. "He''s not here because he''s tending to his fields. Apparently, he connected to the Dao of Farming and has been there since then, only coming back for food."

    Chen Ren was genuinely surprised. He had always thought Zi Wen¡¯s path would be of a Beastmaster , so that wasn¡¯t shocking. But Luo Feng? The man had been so eager about martial techniques before. That he had suddenly connected with a Dao so seemingly mundane was unexpected¡ªbut also a pleasant surprise.

    He crossed his arms, thinking. He had heard bits and pieces from Yalan about the Dao of Farming. Despite its name, it was one of the strongest Daos. Not only wouldwill Luo Feng have a deeper connection with the earth and his crops, but he''dhe¡¯ll also be able to bypass the lack of qi in the surroundings to grow spirit plants by infusing them with his own qi. He knew that eventually, his farm would become like a domain, where he would be the master of everything that grows and comes there.

    And as Chen Ren continued to think over it for a moment, realization struck. If Luo Feng¡¯s connection to the Dao of Farming developed further, he might be able to help solve the sect¡¯s resource issues. That alone was a huge relief.

    ¡°That¡¯s good news,¡± he finally said. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to come back to such progress.¡±

    Xiulan gave a genuine smile. Her eyes lingered on his for a moment and looked behind. ¡°Seems like you¡¯ve made decent progress yourself, Sect Leader Chen.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded, following her glancetrance toat the two men who awkwardly stood with their hands clutched to the front. Qing He stood behind them, just looking over his sect buildings with an appraising eye. ¡°Hong Yi is going to be in the sect now. Try to make sure he doesn¡¯t venture out too much. His sect has been dealt with, but you never know who might still be looking for him.¡± He shifted his gaze to the other figure. ¡°As for this guy, he¡¯s Feiyu, a blacksmith cultivator I found while negotiating the alcohol contract.¡± He finally looked at the last person. A smile breaking into his own face. ¡°I brought Qing He back with me so she and Feiyu could work on a project for me, but we¡¯ll talk about that later.¡±

    Zi Wen let out a low chuckle. ¡°Seems like there¡¯s still a lot of work to do.¡±

    ¡°Certainly,¡± Chen Ren agreed. ¡°First of all, we need to get the alcohol production going. Are the mortals making good progress?¡±

    Xiulan nodded. ¡°Yeah, a few of them are doing better than I expected. Even the ones who are just average are making slow progress. It''s not fast, but at least they are moving.¡±

    ¡°Good. Pick out some of the bright ones to head the alcohol production. We¡¯ve managed to strike a solid deal with the Zhu Clan, but I want to set up at least two breweries. We¡¯ll also be making contact in the west and south to see if any clans there are interested in buying moonshine. The Zhu Clan has good reach, but it doesn¡¯t cover the whole empire.¡±

    He paused, then added, ¡°I also need to check out Luo Feng and see his Dao for myself. But before that, I¡¯ll be heading to my room for the day.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Already? Is there anything I could help¡ª¡±

    ¡°No, nothing like that,¡± Chen Ren exhaled, feeling the faintly glowing strands of qi swirling within him. ¡°I made a lot of progress during the journey, but most of it was in my business. Even in Cloud Mist City, things are going well. And now¡­ I keep feeling these small strands of qi circling in my core. I think it¡¯s finally time to see how much I¡¯ve grown. And for that, I need some quiet space.¡±

    Xiulan immediately understood and gave a brief nod.

    But as he said it, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder¡ªwas he about to leap through a few stars? The qi refinement realm usually took far longer to progress through than the body forging realm, but his businesses had been steadily minting him good money, and his qi had been accumulating. If he was right, this could be his biggest gain yet.

    Without wasting another moment, Chen Ren made his way to his room and immediately plunged into his star space.

    ***

    Feeling the air in his star space was always a one-of-a-kind phenomenon. Even though he knew it wasn¡¯t truly the case, Chen Ren always felt the most secure there. The qi filled the space around him, steadying his breath, making him feel weightless yet grounded at the same time.

    As he floated within his star space, his gaze instinctively searched for the being that had eluded him for so long. But as always, no matter where he looked, there were no signs of it. Not even a trance of its magnetic eyes.

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    With a sigh, he shifted his focus to the sky above.

    The stars twinkled, filling the sky. Slowly, as usual, their light dimmed¡ªyet this time, something was different. Instead of leaving behind just two stars, a third one remained, a bit farther away from the first two but present. It shimmered with the same energy as the others, and he could already sense the qi contained within it.

    He exhaled, steadying himself before beginning the process of absorption. He started with the noodle shop. Compared to the others, it didn¡¯t hold much qi, but he noticed something else¡ªit had grown. Not in terms of qi, but in size. The star itself was slightly larger now. He guessed it was because of the recent additions to the business¡ªthe chips and ice cream. Even the qi surrounding it felt more potent.

    Slowly, he started absorbing the energy, letting it flow into him. He wondered how the star would look once he fully expanded the stall business. The thought made his lips curl slightly, but he refocused on the task. He continued his absorption.  Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    By the time he was done, he felt like he had eaten a hearty breakfast¡ªsatisfied, but still capable of taking in more. Without hesitation, he turned his gaze to the second star, the one representing his perfume business.

    Unlike the noodle stall, the perfume business hadn''t grown much in size, but its steady success meant it was still wrapped in a significant amount of qi. He felt it in his core. Targeting middle-class women with affordable perfumes had proven to be a solid strategy, and as Chen Ren absorbed the energy, he could tell that this star would expand soon enough. When it did, the amount of qi he was receiving now would be only a fraction of what he''d gain in the future.

    He sighed in contentment as he felt filled once again.

    With both of his primary stars drained of qi, he turned his gaze toward the third one. A frown appeared on his forehead as he stared at it for a while without doing a thing. He wanted¡ªno, needed to take it all in.

    This star was different¡ªit almost bubbled with energy, pulsing as if barely containing the qi within. The alcohol business had brought in a large sum already, and with the profit-sharing model in place, he would continue receiving a steady flow of income every month. That meant this star would only grow brighter and more potent in the coming months.

    Chen Ren stared at it, his mind drifting back to everything it had taken to get here. He had been constantly downplayed by the big players, forced to fight tooth and nail to carve out his own space. The only way he had succeeded was by creating demand¡ªby making people want his product so badly that they couldn¡¯t ignore him. Contrary to what it had looked like from the outside, it hadn''t been easy.

    The fact that Ashen City was filled with alcoholics had played a huge role in his success, but even that advantage hadn¡¯t been enough on its own. Getting his product into the right hands had taken a serious amount set of effort, and even after that, trying to get Feiyu in his sect had nearly ruined his partnership with the Zhu Clan. It could¡¯ve been worse¡ªhe could¡¯ve ruined everything he tried to build in a heat of a second. But fortunately, he didn¡¯t.

    And all of it had been a lesson.

    In business, there were always dangerous waters to tread. One misstep could cost everything, and balance was key¡ªknowing when to push forward, when to step back, and most importantly, when not to step on a business partner¡¯s toes.

    Because businesses were fickle, partners even more so, and keeping everything in balance was a lesson worth its weight in gold. The alcohol deal had drilled that into him. As he reflected on it, the star above him twinkled, and suddenly, a surge of qi rushed toward him.

    Unlike the first two stars, this one felt overwhelming¡ªdense and heavy, pressing down on him like an invisible weight. He hadn''t expected such a massive influx of qi, and as it flooded his dantian, his body screamed in protest.

    Every muscle felt like it was being stretched and torn apart, but he gritted his teeth and bore through it. This was his moment¡ªif he gave in now, he''d regret it forever.

    He mentally screamed in agony, but didn¡¯t let out a single whimper that tried to break past his lips. He knew he was strong enough to endure the change that was about to happen. He had to be.

    The qi raged within him, swirling through his meridians, breaking past bottlenecks he hadn¡¯t even realized existed. His entire being felt like it was being reforged, the pressure almost unbearable. But then, finally, the qi began to settle. It permeated every inch of his body, strengthening him in ways he couldn''t yet fully grasp. And then¡ª

    Something shifted.

    A powerful sensation flooded his muscles, the unmistakable feeling of multiple breakthroughs hitting him all at once. And in that instant, his star space began to crumble.

    But just before everything collapsed, he saw it.

    Golden eyes.

    A massive dragon loomed above him, its gaze piercing straight through his soul. It had always eluded him before, appearing only in glimpses or sensations¡ªbut this time, he saw it clearly. He tried to speak, to call out, but before he could, the vision shattered¡ª

    And he was back in his room.

    Chen Ren gasped for breath, his body drenched in sweat. He hadn¡¯t realised when he had moved, but he was on his knees, his hands on the ground. His heart pounded against his ribs as he struggled to steady himself.

    Unlike his previous breakthroughs, there were no visible changes to his body¡ªno sudden transformations¡ªbecause the qi refinement realm was all about internal strengthening, purifying his qi and preparing his foundation.

    Curious, he raised his hand and summoned a strand of qi. It crackled to life in his palm, far denser and stronger than before.

    Before he could fully process the change, a voice cut through the silence.

    ¡°It seems like you made a bit of a gain.¡±

    Chen Ren snapped his head toward the window.

    Yalan stood there, watching him with an amused look. The cat¡¯s timing was always immaculate¡ªor was it that she was watching over him? He didn¡¯t care at the moment, instead, he wiped the sweat from his brow.

    "Fourth star," he muttered to himself rather than Yalan. "Made quite a big leap." He could still feel his heart throb in his ears at what had happened.

    Yalan, oblivious to his inner thoughts change, purred, a sign of approval. "Good. So, what about the dragon?" she asked, her tone shifting to something a little more curious.

    He looked at her, his expression turning serious for a moment. "Still hiding. But it¡¯ll come out soon, I think."

    "Hmm. Hopefully," Yalan said while licking her feet in a very cat-like manner. "Anyway, things are going well. What¡¯s next for you?"

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze shifted, his mind already buzzing with tasks.

    "There''s a lot to get done. Setting up the brewery is the first priority¡ªgotta make sure the base ingredients are flowing properly. Then, I¡¯ll check on Luo Feng and Zi Wen, test their powers, see where they¡¯re at. After that, I¡¯ll give Hong Yi something to work on, keep him occupied. Finally..." His eyes sparkled with anticipation. "I¡¯ll start making guns. It¡¯s time to see how they¡¯ll work out in this world."

    ***

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 Chapter 84: Demonstration

    Chen Ren looked over at the farm that scattered before him.

    When he had gotten rid of the locust problem, the village farms had been in a miserable state¡ªworn-out soil, trampled crops, and a thick air of defeat clinging to the land like a curse. He had assumed it would take seasons before anything would grow again. Yet now, as he gazed at the fields stretching beneath him, he could feel a difference in his bones; the current of the air changed.

    The land no longer looked exhausted. The soil appeared richer, darker, as if it had drunk its fill of nourishment. Fresh sprouts pushed up through the earth, small yet resilient. Winter crops, the ones Luo Feng had planted weeks ago, had already begun to bud.

    As he observed the quiet miracle of nature, Luo Feng stepped beside him. His eyes were bright, and a grin broke into his face. "Soon, they¡¯ll grow big," he said with confidence. He exhaled, his breath visible in the crisp morning air. "I can already feel it. After that, I''ll plant wheat, sorghum, and flax. And there¡ª" He gestured to the left. "That¡¯s where I¡¯ll start your spirit herb growth plsn, Sect Leader Chen."

    Chen Ren turned to him and nodded. "And what of the spirit rice?"

    Luo Feng¡¯s smile broadened. "Already planning a paddy for it," he said. "But that¡¯ll have to wait until I reach the qi refinement realm. Right now, I can feel qi flowing into me as my connection with the land strengthens. But according to Master Yalan, I won¡¯t be able to truly infuse my qi into the soil until I step into that realm."

    Chen Ren nodded again, taking in Luo Feng¡¯s words.

    It had been two weeks since his return to the sect. In that time, he had kept a close eye on Luo Feng, recognizing the potential hidden beneath the young farmer¡¯s dedication. There was something different about him now¡ªan awareness, a growing strength that came not just from effort, but from understanding.

    And in cultivation, understanding was everything.

    Chen Ren had introduced Luo Feng to Yalan, revealing her presence to him for the first time. She had once given a lecture on the Dao of Farming, and what she revealed that day had opened Chen Ren¡¯s eyes¡ªLuo Feng might just be the greatest hidden treasure of his sect.

    According to Yalan, cultivators who walked the Dao of Farming had a rare and invaluable ability: they could infuse their land with qi, slowly transforming ordinary soil into a place rich with spiritual energy, much like the ancestral grounds of great sects. Moreover, they could enhance the growth of crops, making them far superior in both quality and potency.

    That single revelation had changed everything for Chen Ren.

    First, his sect had not been established on a natural qi vein¡ªit was merely a patch of land with decent terrain, chosen more for its location than its spiritual properties. But with Luo Feng¡¯s talent, they could slowly create an artificial qi-rich environment.

    Second, and perhaps just as crucial, Luo Feng would be able to cultivate a generous supply of spiritual ingredients. That meant alchemical materials for Chen Ren¡¯s pill-making, but also rare herbs and grains that could enhance the food he sold. If everything went well, his stalls, and in the future, restaurants, wouldn¡¯t just serve good food¡ªit would serve food infused with true spiritual energy, capable of strengthening even mortal bodies.

    Of course, all of this would take time.

    The process was similar to photosynthesis¡ªspiritual plants absorbed ambient qi, but some special varieties also released more qi than they consumed. Yalan had explained that by carefully cultivating such plants, Luo Feng could gradually shift the land into a place that nurtured qi instead of merely depleting it. It would be at least a year or two before they saw any real results, but even that timeframe was enough to make Chen Ren excited.

    Still, there were problems.

    He turned toward Luo Feng with a slight frown. "Sorry," he said, exhaling. "Getting the earth aspected cultivation manual for you is taking longer than I expected. Without it, you can''t progress in your realms."

    Luo Feng shook his head, the corner of his lips lifting in an easygoing smile. "It¡¯s fine, Sect Leader. I¡¯m already learning plenty just by working with the land. But once I get it¡­ I¡¯ll make sure this place becomes something even the guardian sects will envy. Right now, I''m just happy being able to farm like this."

    Chen Ren chuckled, but deep down, he knew Luo Feng wasn¡¯t just talking big. Given enough time, this man might just make that dream a reality coupled with everything he himself had been doing for the sect.

    He rubbed his chin. "I understand, but the sooner you get the manual, the faster you''ll be able to grow. Right now, we don¡¯t even have an earth aspected technique for you. And while finding a spiritual farming technique might be difficult, at the very least, I want to get you some earth-aspected martial techniques. It''s always good to know a few."

    He had already spoken to Qing He about it, but even she didn¡¯t have much for Luo Feng. There were books on earth-aspected cultivators, detailing their abilities and theories, but no actual cultivation manuals. And that was the real problem¡ªtechnique manuals weren¡¯t things that could simply be found in bookstores. They were treasures hoarded by clans and sects, rarely making their way to the open market.

    It was a frustrating situation, despite Luo Feng¡¯s reassurances.

    Chen Ren had a fw ideas on how to get his hands on one, but it would take a significant amount of money¡ªpossibly draining most of the low-grade spirit stones he had.

    As he thought over his options, he suddenly felt movement to his left. His senses sharpened, instincts kicking in¡ªonly to relax a moment later when he recognized the massive figure approaching.

    A large wolf padded toward them, its fur dark as the evening shadows, and its teal eyes locked ahead. On its back, sprawled in a completely unbothered manner, was Zi Wen. Rather than sitting properly, the man had made himself comfortable, stretching his large limbs out lazily across Little Yuze¡¯s body as though he had just woken from a nap.

    As the wolf came to a stop, Zi Wen cracked one eye open and glanced at Chen Ren before smoothly rolling off. He landed lightly on his feet and gave a small bow in greeting.

    Chen Ren nodded at it. "Were you in the forest all day again?"

    Zi Wen grinned, brushing dirt off his sleeves. "Of course. And just now, I reached the third star of the body forging realm."

    Chen Ren raised a brow. "Oh?"

    Zi Wen stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Training with Little Yuze these past few weeks made me realize I was walking the wrong path all along. If I hadn¡¯t corrected my methods, I¡¯d have been stuck at the first star for who knows how long."

    Like Luo Feng, Zi Wen had changed a lot. And it wasn¡¯t just his cultivation¡ªhis entire¡­ mood had shifted. He remembered how the man had been when they first met. Hollow-eyed, drowning in self-doubt and looking like he had given up on the world¡ªbut now, he looked far more energetic.

    He stood straighter, his eyes had regained their sharpness, and for the first time since joining the sect, he had even spoken about regaining his ambition.

    Watching him, Chen Ren couldn¡¯t help but reflect on how important it was to have a path in life. When someone found a road they could walk¡ªone where their efforts bore fruit¡ªlife seemed just a little bit better. A little bit brighter.

    He nodded at Zi Wen and turned his gaze to the wolf standing beside him. "Little Yuze looks even bigger now."

    The massive beast who seemed to be growing every week, now sat with his tongue lolling out, looking more like an oversized dog than a scary spirit beast.

    Zi Wen chuckled. "He is, a bit. With my connection, I believe he¡¯s going to keep growing with me. Right now, he¡¯s at Tier 1, but in the future, I¡¯m pretty sure he¡¯ll be able to reach the higher tiers once I do."

    Chen Ren nodded in approval. "And how¡¯s the task I gave you going?"

    At that, Zi Wen straightened slightly and sighed. "Harder than I expected." He tugged the ends of his hair in the back. "Like you told me, I¡¯m trying to form bonds with more beasts, but it¡¯s been tough. Little Yuze might¡¯ve been special¡­ or maybe it was just easier because he was a pup.

    "I tried bonding with a nest of uyah hawks and even found a ione ironhide boar, but no luck. The boar got aggressive, so I had to put it down¡ªbut at least Little Yuze had a good meal."

    "And Whiskey?]

    Zi Wen let out a short laugh. "Oh, he acts friendly enough, but he¡¯s got no interest in forming a bond with me."

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    Chen Ren shrugged. "Well, Yalan did say lunaris are solitary creatures. Maybe that¡¯s why." Then, shaking his head, he added, "That little beast is more interested in alcohol than anything else anyway."

    Zi Wen huffed. "You¡¯re not wrong. I swear, the only time he looks truly happy is when he gets his paws on a jar of moonshine. I''ll still try. Defending the sect with tamed beasts is an interesting idea, and I''d love to help out."

    ¡°That¡¯d be great." Then, narrowing his eyes slightly, he asked, "You came here just to report your gains?"

    Zi Wen suddenly froze, his expression shifting. "No¡­ I had more to talk about. I almost forgot." He sucked in a breath before hurriedly continuing, "Feiyu¡¯s looking for you. Apparently, Elder Qing He and he managed to make a breakthrough with that artifact you called a ¡®gun.¡¯ They were trying to find you to give you a demonstration."

    Chen Ren¡¯s face changed completely. "You should have told me that first!"

    Without waiting for another word, he surged lightning through his legs, and in the next instant, he was gone. The ground beneath him crackled as he blurred past the farmlands, buildings, and villagers, moving at record speed toward the heart of the village.

    His destination: the third building he had claimed¡ªone that he had converted into a forge and alchemical workshop.

    As soon as he stepped inside, a pungent, acrid scent hit him, a mix of burnt metal, sulfur, and something distinctly chemical. He barely noticed it as he strode deeper inside, reaching the hallway that had essentially become a makeshift testing room/

    Qing He and Feiyu were both there, deep in discussion, their voices animated. The room, however, was an absolute mess. Failed prototypes of guns, cartridges, and bullet casings were scattered everywhere, some neatly stacked, others tossed aside haphazardly. On the far side of the room, protective containers housed failed samples of the gunpowder¡ªor rather, "explosive powder," as Qing He was now calling it.

    Thanks to all the experimentation, there had been more than a dozen explosions in just the past week. Thankfully, they had been testing things out in the open, behind the building¡ªotherwise, the entire workshop might have gone up in flames by now.

    Chen Ren took in the chaotic scene, his pulse quickening in anticipation. "Alright," he said, stepping forward. "Show me what you''ve got."

    As he strode toward them, both Qing He and Feiyu turned to look at him. Qing He was the first to speak, clicking her tongue. "You''re late, kid. My old bones don¡¯t like waiting."

    Chen Ren scoffed. "I came as soon as I was informed. And you¡¯re not an old lsdy¡ªyou can run faster than me."

    Qing He snorted but said nothing, only crossing her arms as Feiyu shifted the gun in his hands. Chen Ren''s eyes twinkled as he caught sight of it, curiosity overtaking him.

    "I heard you wanted to give me a demonstration," he said. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Feiyu nodded. "I¡¯ve been making good progress, and I believe this gun will work well now."

    As he spoke, he adjusted his grip, spinning the gun slightly in his hands before passing it over. Chen Ren took it, feeling the weight immediately¡ªheavier than he would have liked, a bit bulky and large, but otherwise exactly what he had envisioned.

    The design reminded him of a Colt M1911, though slightly larger, with an elongated barrel and a more reinforced grip. The cartridge was of similar size, making it clear that Feiyu had successfully replicated the chambering system. But what caught Chen Ren¡¯s attention most were the runes inscribed all over the weapon. Qing He had etched them into both the outer shell and the inner workings, enhancing durability, self-cleaning, and stabilization.

    The bullets on the nearby table were just as detailed, each one bearing inscriptions for piercing power, explosive impact, or other enhancements. Chen Ren almost shuddered as he realized the sheer potential of firearms in a world where magic could amplify their destructive power.

    After thoroughly inspecting the gun, he turned back to Feiyu and Qing He. "You sure this won¡¯t blow up in my hand like last time?"

    Feiyu, looking slightly offended, straightened. "No. We¡¯ve made sure the inscriptions will protect the one firing the bullet."

    Qing He smirked. "We¡¯ll know for sure when we take it outside for a demonstration. And even if it explodes, it¡¯s not like you¡¯d die."

    "I¡¯d still get injured."

    Qing He waved a hand dismissively. "I¡¯ll protect you. Just like last time."

    Chen Ren glanced at her, remembering the last time a gun had exploded in his hands. It was four days back and his memory was vivid¡ªthe moment he pulled the trigger something had gone wrong, and the entire thing ruptured in a blast of flames and shrapnel. Qing He¡¯s ridiculous speed, possibly a movement technique, pulled him back just in time and if not, he¡¯d have lost more than some burnt fabric. Even the thought sent a shudder through his body.

    Shaking off the thought, he exhaled and said, "Let¡¯s go outside then. I can¡¯t wait."

    Moving carefully through the mess of blueprints, shattered metal parts, and leftover powder stains, the trio moved toward the backdoor. As they stepped out, they entered a small training area¡ªa cleared-out space with training dummies positioned at different distances.

    Chen Ren had bigger plans for this spot. Eventually, it would become a designated gun training area, but for now, it was just a place for testing prototypes and making sure nobody lost their limbs in the process.

    Qing He crossed her arms, smirking. "So, what are you waiting for?"

    Chen Ren stretched his neck and moved his wrists in circles. "I¡¯m starting."

    Walking forward, he stopped at a red line drawn into the dirt, marking the shooting position. He took a deep breath, gripping the gun firmly as he raised it toward the central dummy and froze.

    It wasn¡¯t hesitation due to inexperience¡ªhe had fired guns before, on Earth, during hunting trips and even during earlier experiments. No, this was different. This wasn¡¯t just a normal firearm; it was something altered, enhanced and made deadlier.

    Qing He had been refining the explosive powder relentlessly, pushing its limits with the knowledge he had provided her from Earth, as well as what she had gleaned from ancient alchemical texts. He had no doubt that the weapon would work. The real question was: would it work well?

    With one last deep breath, he steadied his stance, aligning his shot. He trusted Qing He. He trusted Feiyu.

    The trigger squeezed.

    And in an instant, the gun roared to life. A violent explosion of force surged through his arm as the bullet tore through the air. The force almost pushed him back, but he gritted his teeth and stood firm. The bullet shot through the air like a streak of light, slicing through the wind with a sharp whistle.

    Then¡ª

    The impact struck dead center on the dummy, sending a deep, resounding sound through the courtyard. Dust and splinters exploded outward from the sheer force of the shot, and for a moment, it was silent.

    Chen Ren tensed, waiting for something to go wrong¡ªthe bullet to shatter uselessly, the gun to explode in his grip, or even some unexpected backlash from the inscriptions. But nothing happened. No fiery explosions, no misfires. The weapon had

    His eyes flicked to the dummy, the bullet lodged cleanly in its center. Then, a grin split his face.

    He turned to Qing He and Feiyu, excitement bubbling in his chest. "We did it." His voice came out breathless, then stronger. "The demonstration is successful!"

    Feiyu let out an exhilarated laugh. "It actually worked! No misfire, no explosion¡ªnothing! Whoa!"

    Qing He smirked, crossing her arms. "Hah, of course it worked. What, you think I¡¯d let you lose a limb over this?"

    Chen Ren huffed a laugh, still staring at the gun in his hand.

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 Chapter 85: Li Xuans quest

    The prototype gun model firing a bullet was a big win, even if it didn¡¯t seem like much. For Chen Ren, however, it was just the start. He knew there were countless improvements to make, both in the design of the gun and the powder itself. He shot the bullets a few more times, and while the weapon didn¡¯t explode in his hands, it did jam after a while. It seemed the residual from the explosive powder was blocking the mechanism.

    After a thorough discussion with Qing He and Feiyu, they determined the issue stemmed from the powder not burning as efficiently as it should. The gun¡¯s design needed refinement to prevent the powder from sticking and clogging the system. What followed was hours of debate and idea-sharing as they brainstormed solutions and ways to enhance the current model.

    Chen Ren contributed his knowledge of modern firearms, outlining key design details, while leaving the more technical aspects to the experts. The primary goal was to make the gun lighter and prevent future jamming, but the discussion quickly expanded to other concerns. One of the most pressing issues was the smoke that billowed from the barrel every time the gun fired. Chen Ren knew that older weapons produced this issue, but modern weapons had long since transitioned to smokeless powder. He wanted that same advancement, not just for efficiency, but because the smoke would give away the shooter¡¯s position.

    Another issue was the noise. In a real fight, being able to conceal your location was crucial, and the gun¡¯s current sound was anything but discreet.

    Qing He seemed to understand, and with that understanding came the reality: more experiments. Unfortunately, had nothing to offer on creating a smokeless powder formula. It was a task that would require her own ingenuity. Even she admitted it would be a tough challenge, and Chen Ren could only hope she¡¯d manage to make some progress.

    After wrapping up his discussion with both Feiyu and Qing He on the guns, Chen Ren headed back to his bedroom to focus on a task that had occupied his thoughts for the past few weeks.

    As soon as he stepped into the room, he saw Yalan already lounging on his bed. For some reason, the cat had taken a liking to that spot. Closing the door behind him, Chen Ren barely had a chance to settle in when she asked, ¡°How did it go?¡±

    He raised an eyebrow. ¡°You already know I was trying out the gun?¡±

    Yalan lazily drew biscuits in his bed. ¡°I heard the noise. I believe a lot of mortals know you¡¯re up to something with Qing He and Feiyu, thanks to all the explosions and noise.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded. ¡°Yeah, it was successful. We¡¯re closer to a working prototype. I think once we have the basic models ready, we can start training the mortals.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m interested to know how the guns perform against beasts.¡±

    He sat on the chair and leaned back. ¡°We¡¯ll test it all out soon enough.¡± He paused for a moment, then pulled something from his robe. "Anyways, right now, I need to see if I can decipher this." He set the medallion on the table in front of him, his gaze fixed on it.

    Since receiving it back from Feng Ming, and especially after the tournament, Chen Ren had found himself increasingly drawn to the heirloom. He knew Gu Tian wanted it, and that only fueled his curiosity. He had a feeling that this medallion held secrets he was yet to uncover.

    He couldn''t quite pinpoint why he was so interested in the medallion, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized it was tied to something bigger. He had heard the spectre mention something about a "Gate of Immortals," and it was easy to say that the medallion had a connection with this place or item. But how? What was this Gate of Immortals?

    He had yet to find out. If the gate was truly important, then others might be coming after him, too. That made this even more critical to understand. But when he asked Yalan about the gate, even she had no answers. Qing He hadn¡¯t been much help either, until, by chance, she mentioned Ancient Immortal script.

    The mention of the script triggered something in Chen Ren¡¯s mind. It reminded him of the strange characters at the back of the medallion, the ones that had haunted his thoughts ever since he had gotten it back. Curious, he had asked Qing He for a book on the script, hoping to decipher the ancient words.

    But despite all his efforts, he hadn¡¯t made any real progress. The script was elusive¡ªtoo intricate, too foreign.

    Still, giving up wasn¡¯t an option.

    He sat in his chair, poring over the ancient texts, comparing them to the letters on the back of the medallion. Every time he would feel like he had made some progress and a letter felt similar to the one in the medallion, he would realise that it was a bit different, making him start from the beginning again.

    The hours slipped by unnoticed, with only Yalan¡¯s occasional stretch on the bed to remind him of the passage of time.

    He muttered to himself, frustration creeping in, ¡°This script has thousands of letters, and although they seem identical to the ones on the medallion, I can¡¯t find the exact meaning.¡±

    Yalan stretched again and yawned before replying lazily, ¡°I did tell you that the words on the medallion could just be written in a different dialect, or someone might have intentionally altered them, creating a secret code that only those they trust can understand. Higher realm cultivators often do that.¡±

    Chen Ren looked at Yalan. ¡°I understand that, but if the script is really a secret code, then it might make it impossible for me to decipher what''s written here. And if it¡¯s truly the Ancient Immortal script, then this medallion could be the oldest thing in the world." He paused, looking at the medallion more closely. "I originally thought it was made of some kind of copper, but now I think I could be wrong.¡±

    Yalan, intrigued by his words, squinted her eyes, as if zooming in to see the medallion. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s true. But we won¡¯t be able to find out what material it is, nor will we be able to experiment to see how sturdy it is.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded. The medallion was too precious and important for him to risk breaking it just to see its durability and the material it was made from. In a way, breaking it would free him from the responsibility of owning it, but if the people after it were demonic cultivators, then it could be the key to something valuable. And there was always the chance of them trying to kill him for the medallion.

    But there were also questions that arose. Why had Gu Tian come after the medallion just now? The medallion had been in the Chen Clan for generations. So why now? Maybe he was missing something, maybe there was more context that he was not seeing, and those were always a thing.

    Maybe he should contact the Chen Clan and ask them about it. But again, he didn¡¯t have any connections with them. Even in his memories, Chen Ren hadn¡¯t been close to anyone in the clan. Especially after his parents had died.

    The thought of reaching out to the Chen Clan felt like a daunting task, and Chen Ren couldn''t shake the sense of unease that clung to the idea. Despite everything, he knew that getting more information about the medallion could be the key to understanding what Gu Tian¡ªand others¡ªwere truly after. And perhaps, in the process, he would learn more about himself than he cared to.

    His mind briefly wandered back to the past of Chen Ren. He had been the typical young master¡ªa figure who had once been expected to live up to the prestige of his lineage, but who had never been treated with the reverence such a role usually commanded. It wasn¡¯t simply because of his behavior, though he had been rebellious and distant. There were deeper issues at play within the Chen Clan, things that festered beneath the surface, things even his memories struggled to clarify.

    As he closed his eyes, a wave of thoughts and half-formed memories began to flood his mind, but before he could focus on them further, a knock on the door startled him out of his reverie.

    He stood and walked over to the door, opening it to reveal one of the mortal members of the sect, a young man named Huang Hai.

    ¡°Sect Leader Chen,¡± he greeted with a deep bow. ¡°There¡¯s someone from the Tang Clan here to see you. They said it¡¯s urgent.¡±

    The mention of the Tang Clan instantly piqued Chen Ren¡¯s interest.

    ¡°Urgent?¡± Chen Ren repeated, his brow furrowing. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he said.

    ***

    Li Xuan walked down the mountain path. It was rugged. The sword strapped to his side made him remember the journey he was on. His eyes were filled with a fierce determination as he scanned the distance. So very often, he found himself looking back at the path he had already travelled. The soot that fell on his face from the distant smoke only seemed to deepen his pensive mood. Was there truly a point to this journey? Was it the right path?

    For a moment, he considered the comfort of staying in the sect. He could have continued his training there, surrounded by familiar faces and challenges. But then he shook his head, dispelling the thought. Staying in the sect had grown unbearable.

    After his humiliating defeat at the Cloud Mist City tournament, the relentless challenges from both outer and inner sect disciples had only escalated. Every day, he found himself sparring for hours, sometimes with multiple opponents at once. They saw him as an easy target, thinking his defeat to the rogue demonic cultivator had weakened him. But he had crushed each one of them, one by one, his frustration simmering beneath the surface as he wiped the floor with their arrogance.

    But it wasn¡¯t the constant sparring that had pushed him to this breaking point. It was his master. After the loss to the demonic cultivator, his master had been¡­ tireless. The man¡¯s pride had been wounded, and in an effort to punish Li Xuan for his perceived failure, he had relegated him to menial tasks. Sweeping the sect¡¯s steps, cleaning his master¡¯s old clothes¡ªtasks meant for the outer sect disciples. These were things Li Xuan had never imagined he would be subjected to. The tasks had been demeaning, and as the days dragged on, they only served to humiliate him further.

    The real blow had come when his master had begun giving him personal sparring lessons, not to help him grow stronger, but as a punishment. Each session felt more like an exercise in breaking his spirit than in refining his skills.

    Li Xuan clenched his fists, the memory of those painful lessons searing his thoughts. In the end, he had been unable to take it any longer. He had requested this journey, the one so many cultivators embarked upon to clear their minds, learn new things, and progress in their cultivation. He had hoped that this would be the escape he needed to regain his focus and find more success in his path.

    But now, as he walked alone down the mountain, the weight of the sword seemed to grow heavier with each step, and the doubts crept in. Was this really the right choice? Would he find the answers he sought out here? Or had he simply run away from the one place where he might have truly grown? But these questions will be answered soon, he knew it.

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    Days had bled into one another since he left the city. The hours spent in cultivation felt like a blur¡ªwild beasts slain, rogue cultivators dispatched, yet none of them had truly tested him. Their strength paled in comparison to his, their movements too predictable, too weak.

    A small, nagging thought kept tugging at him: What if he wasn¡¯t ready? What if his past defeat still lingered in his blood, in his mind? Should he call for a spar with Chen Ren again? The idea of facing Chen Ren again, of tasting another loss, sent a cold shiver down his spine. No, he wasn¡¯t ready. Not yet. He needed more time. More strength.

    So, he walked. The winding mountain road leading up to Ashen City became his path, his sanctuary from the noise in his mind. The few carriages that passed by were nothing more than fleeting distractions. The heat from the volcanoes made the air thick, oppressive, but Li Xuan breathed it in, as if trying to fill himself with something more than doubt.

    His lips moved quietly, reciting lines from [Heavenly Soaring Manual], the familiar rhythm offering some semblance of peace. His thoughts drifted to his techniques¡ªhow to refine them, how to make them flawless. Each step was a thought in motion, each breath a subtle reminder that he wasn¡¯t where he needed to be yet, but he was getting closer. At least, he hoped so.

    Then, a sound¡ªsharp, thunderous¡ªsplit the air, snapping him out of his thoughts.

    His feet slowed, his heart pounding in his chest. The cliff ahead loomed high, jagged rocks forming a natural barrier, and from behind it came the unmistakable sounds of struggle. The clash of weapons, the roar of the beast, and human shouts blended together into a cacophony of desperation.

    He moved quickly, his boots crunching over gravel and debris, sliding between boulders and weaving through the sparse trees that dotted the rocky terrain. The scent of burning herbs and sweat mixed in the air as he crouched behind a large rock to take in the scene before him.

    A massive creature that looked over seven feet hovered below the cliff. He was covered in rough, scaled armor. And the texture¡ªsimilar to a serpent but far thicker and more¡­ menacing. The long tail seemed to be its weapon as it whipped through the air, knocking one of the cultivators aside, sending him to the ground with a loud force. Its mouth opened in a horrific snarl, revealing rows and rows of bloodied teeth. It hissed at the group of cultivators trapped against the cliff face.

    The men were skilled, he could tell by the way they moved, using techniques that seemed honed by years of practice. But even their combined efforts weren¡¯t enough. The beast¡¯s movements were swift, and its attacks relentless. It wanted blood. Each strike of its claws sent shockwaves through the air, rattling the cultivators¡¯ stances, their swords barely able to penetrate its tough scales.

    From their clothes, Li Xuan could tell they were not normal cultivators. Their robes were fine, decorated with patterns that marked them as affluent individuals from prestigious clans. They should have been able to handle such a beast, yet here they were, struggling for survival. It almost made him laugh, but he refused to, understanding the sheer magnitude of the situation they were in.

    These men weren¡¯t prepared for a fight this dangerous, nor for the overwhelming power of the creature before them. The mountain path was their only escape, but climbing the cliff in their condition seemed impossible.

    Li Xuan¡¯s mind raced. The beast was clearly Tier 2, far beyond their abilities, and if they couldn¡¯t subdue it, they¡¯d be doomed. The thought of turning back and leaving them to their fate flickered in his mind, but something inside him stirred. He couldn¡¯t just walk away¡ªnot when they needed help, not when there was something he could do.

    It was in these moments that the true nature of a cultivator was revealed, wasn¡¯t it? The righteous path was not just about personal growth or victory in battles¡ªit was about using one¡¯s power to protect others, to stand against the darkness when others couldn¡¯t. The thought of what his master would say to him if he walked away from this only hardened his resolve.

    Without a second thought, he unleashed his sword and gripped it. His breath steady, he took a step forward and jumped down, revealing himself from behind the rock. The cultivators seemed momentarily startled by his sudden appearance.

    The beast¡¯s reptilian eyes locked onto him, a low growl rumbling from deep within its chest as it shifted its stance, clearly sensing a new threat. Li Xuan stood tall, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword.

    He took a deep breath, his mind clearing as he called upon his cultivation, feeling the surge of energy within him.

    He was already in motion as he leapt into the air, his body a blur of motion. He charged toward it with a ferocity that shook the very ground beneath his feet. The beast¡¯s elongated body rippled with muscles as it crouched low, preparing to strike with its sharp claws, its massive tail whipping through the air like a deadly whip.

    He didn¡¯t have time to think.

    Not when its eyes locked onto his. A low growl came from its throat, echoing against the cliffside. The claws¡ª they were much scarier to upfront; long as swords, capable of rendering through steel with a single swipe.

    Without hesitation, his sword cut through the air, the blade shimmering with a surge of lightning as he moved to meet the beast¡¯s charge. It met the beast¡¯s stomach, a burst of electric light erupted, sending jolts of lightning coursing through its body. The beast recoiled with a shriek, its sharp claws tearing through the air in an attempt to strike Li Xuan down. He rolled on the ground, missing one of its sharp claws by an inch.

    The cultivators behind him gasped in awe, witnessing the display of power, but Li Xuan wasn¡¯t interested in their reactions. His focus was entirely on the battle. "Stay back!" he ordered coldly. He didn¡¯t have time to explain, and he didn¡¯t want them interfering.

    ¡°ROOOOAAARRR!¡±

    His escape angered it as it swiped at him with claws again, and again. Li Xuan was already in motion. He moved around its attacks, and felt the power of his recent training coursing through his veins. Now at the third star of qi refinement realm, his confidence had been sharpened with the knowledge that he was more than a match for this creature.

    Yet, he tried to avoid attacks until he found a good, weak spot to retaliate.

    From the corner of his eyes, he saw its tail lash out suddenly, aiming to crush him, but he was quicker. He jumped over the swinging tail, his sword flashing with lightning as he sent a rush of electricity coursing through the air, trapping the beast in place for just a moment. It let out a growl of frustration, its body twitching, momentarily stunned by the electric trap.

    Seizing the opportunity, Li Xuan closed the distance in a flash, his sword slashing downward. The blade struck the beast¡¯s underbelly with precision, cutting through its tough scales as easily as slicing through cloth. The creature¡¯s cry of agony filled the air, but it was too late. Before it could react, Li Xuan twisted the blade, driving it deep into the beast¡¯s vulnerable underside. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    The beast convulsed once, then collapsed, its body spasming as its life force drained away.

    Blood oozed out of its body as it let out one final roar that sounded like a moan of pain before its body went limp. Li Xuan stood over the fallen creature, panting lightly as he withdrew his sword from its body, the blade still crackling with residual lightning.

    Li Xuan huffed loudly and looked behind.

    The cultivators stood stunned, staring at him in awe. They had watched a creature they had thought unbeatable be taken down in a matter of moments. Li Xuan¡¯s gaze swept over them.

    One of the cultivators, a tall man with sharp features and a well-maintained robe, stepped forward cautiously, bowing deeply. "Honoured Cultivator, thank you for saving mine and my friends'' lives," he said respectfully. "I, Zhu Renjie, am deeply grateful for your assistance and would like to know your name."

    Li Xuan gave a small nod, sheathing his sword as the crackling of lightning in the air died down. ¡°Li Xuan,¡± he replied simply, the name flowing easily from his lips. He then raised an eyebrow, curiosity piquing. ¡°But tell me, how did you come across such a beast? None of you seem to be in the qi refinement realm.¡±

    Zhu Renjie hesitated for a moment, then looked toward his companions, before turning back to Li Xuan. "We were hunting a few young backbreakers like the one you just fought near their nest," he began, his voice tinged with regret. "We didn¡¯t realize the full-grown one was nearby, and it attacked us, chasing us all the way here. We were fortunate you came when you did. Had you not intervened, I fear we would not have made it."

    Li Xuan nodded, his face impassive. "You were lucky," he said flatly. "Next time, try to think things through before challenging a nest. It might save your lives."

    Zhu Renjie bowed again, looking both humbled and impressed. "We will remember that, Daoist Li Xuan," he promised. Then, as if considering something, he added, "For your help, I would be honoured to host you at my Zhu Clan in Ashen City. You can partake in a feast there and we even have a batch of moonshine from the Divine Coin Sect. Every cultivator in the city loves it. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll enjoy it."

    Li Xuan¡¯s expression shifted at the mention of the Divine Coin Sect, his eyes narrowing slightly. He had heard of them before, in passing. But he wasn''t able to put where he had heard it until the face of the man who had defeated the opponent he hadn''t been able to pop in his head. Hasn''t his master mentioned that Chen Ren had rejected the Soaring Sword Sect to create his own sect? And the name of that sect was also similar.

    Slowly, the connection became clear. Without hesitation, he fixed Zhu Renjie with a sharp gaze.

    ¡°Wait,¡± Li Xuan said, his voice steady but with an edge of interest. "Is this moonshine from the Divine Coin Sect connected to a cultivator named Chen Ren?"

    Zhu Renjie¡¯s eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Yes, it is," he confirmed, his brow furrowing slightly as he processed the question. "Do you know him?"

    Li Xuan¡¯s pulse quickened at the mention of Chen Ren¡¯s name. His gaze hardened, and he took a step closer to Zhu Renjie, his voice low but firm.

    ¡°I do," Li Xuan replied, the weight of his words settling between them. "Tell me everything you know about him."

    ***

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 Chapter 86: Union

    Chen Ren moved through the corridors of the building with steady steps and entered the one in the middle.

    Inside, a man from the Tang Clan was already waiting for him. As he stepped inside the room, the man, who¡¯d been leisurely sipping tea, raised his head to look at him. Almost immediately, he set the cup down and bowed.

    ¡°You are Young Master Chen Ren?¡± he asked, his voice surprisingly stern despite him looking like a young man around his age.

    He nodded. ¡°Yes. And you are?¡±

    The man straightened and presented a small crest bearing the insignia of the Tang Clan. ¡°I¡¯m Tang Boming.¡±

    Chen Ren took the crest, examining it to make sure it wasn''t fake while keeping his eye out on the man. There was something about him that stood out from the ordinary subordinates he had dealt with till now. His eyes held a certain feeling of authority.

    After spending so much time in this world, Chen Ren had learned to distinguish between an ordinary person and a cultivator. Tang Boming was undoubtedly the latter. His conjecture wasn''t just based on his atmosphere, but also the fact that the man had come here alone. Normally, mortals would always travel in groups along the road due to the threat of beasts.

    Though he had never seen the man before, he wasn¡¯t surprised. Tang Yuqiu has been gathering capable people over the past few months. This one must be one of them and by the way he shared her surname, he might just be a distant relative of sorts.

    Chen Ren moved to the seat across from him after making sure the crest was real, settling in. ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting anyone so soon.¡±

    Tang Boming poured another cup of tea but didn¡¯t take a sip this time. ¡°Miss Yuqiu sent me at the first sign of trouble since things played out exactly as you predicted.¡±

    Chen Ren raised an eyebrow. ¡°So the carriages were attacked?¡± S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Tang Boming handed him a parchment. ¡°Everything you need is in there.¡±

    Chen Ren took the paper.

    Before leaving Cloud Mist City, he had spoken to Tang Yuqiu about the possible obstacles they would face in Jingxi City. Both of them had known that the local powers would not welcome them with open arms and it was for them to guess how they would attack.

    According to Yuqiu, they had already attracted a considerable amount of attention. However, Jingxi City was an open market¡ªlaws prevented any direct suppression of new businesses. The city thrived on trade, even encouraging fresh merchants to set up shop. But that didn¡¯t mean the established factions would sit idly by.

    Only a handful of clans and trade associations truly controlled the city¡¯s commerce. And when something¡ªor someone¡ªthreatened their position, they wouldn¡¯t hesitate to act.

    He unfolded the parchment, his eyes scanning the contents. As he read, a wry smile tugged at the corner of his lips. One of the scenarios he had predicted had played out exactly as expected.

    While their new building was under construction in Jingxi City, Tang Yuqiu had arranged for materials and perfume bottles to be transported from Cloud Mist City. But, as anticipated, the carriages never made it to their destination intact. Bandits had attacked the convoy, destroying everything in their path and making off with whatever remained.

    The drivers had barely escaped with their lives, but the carriages were left in ruins.

    Chen Ren exhaled sharply and shook his head. "They¡¯re using really really using clich¨¦ tactics."

    He looked up from the parchment, meeting Tang Boming¡¯s gaze. "So, I¡¯m assuming the only real loss we took was the perfume containers and the carriages?"

    Tang Boming nodded. "Just as you instructed, the carriages we used were old and worn, and were only carrying water in those bottles. The bandits smashed them to pieces. Aside from that, they destroyed some fabric¡ªcheap enough that it won¡¯t make a dent in our budget¡ªand took a few common herbs."

    Chen Ren sighed. "We were lucky we ran this trial first to see how they¡¯d react."

    Tang Boming inclined his head. "Indeed."

    "But this just confirms our concerns. The so-called ''bandits'' are clearly working for one of the local clans, and they¡¯re bound to come after us again. The real issue is, we still have a significant shipment to transport for our grand opening in a month."

    Tang Boming set his cup down. "I will personally escort the carriages along with a few other body forging realm cultivators."

    Chen Ren narrowed his eyes slightly, having not expected the man to reveal his identity so easily. "There''s a whole group of them Tang Yuqiu hired?"

    The man nodded. "Yes. We were originally a mercenary team. The young miss gave us a good offer, and we agreed to serve for the next three years. I lead them and I have some relationship with the Tang Clan, so it was an easy decision."

    "A few body forging realm cultivators would certainly be helpful, but are you sure that¡¯s enough? From what we know, they might send cultivators after us. Plenty of rogue cultivators would be happy to take the job and disappear afterward. Our real goal is protecting the materials, and that¡¯ll be difficult since they won¡¯t just steal them¡ªthey¡¯ll try to destroy them."

    Tang Boming frowned. "That is a concern. We could try to fortify the carriages, but I doubt that will do much against cultivators."

    "It won¡¯t," Chen Ren said simply.

    Silence stretched between them as he leaned back, deep in thought. Though this was just about safely transporting materials on the surface, he knew it ran deeper than that. There were layers of complications that could spiral out of control. He needed a foolproof plan.

    First, he needed to understand exactly who they were up against.

    Chen Ren turned his gaze. "Let¡¯s start with the basics. Who, exactly, are the clans and trade associations opposing us in Jingxi City? I heard a bit from Yuqiu, but do you have any more information on them?"

    The latter nodded. "I do. We are trying to gather intel and we have found that rather than a collection of separate clans and associations, it¡¯s more like a union."

    Chen Ren¡¯s brow furrowed. "A union?"

    "Every major clan and trade association with influence is involved," he explained. "They compete with each other in business, but when it comes to outside threats, they work together. That¡¯s why new businesses rarely succeed there unless they align with the right people.¡±

    Chen Ren exhaled sharply. "And out of all of them, who are our biggest problems?"

    "The Xueying Clan, the Jinshi Trade Guild, and Lotus Mist Fragrances," Tang Boming answered without hesitation. ¡°All of them either have perfume businesses or clothing shops aimed at women. They¡¯re definitely the most purchased in the city. At the same time, they¡¯re the most shaken by our foray into the city. Miss Yuqiu believes that out of all of them, Xueying Clan are the most likely to send bandits since they have a mercenary business on the side. It¡¯s easy to put two and two together; it¡¯s not that hard for some mercenaries to act as bandits.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded, taking in the information about their competition. Previously, he¡¯d faced a nuisance named Bai Hu Trade Association, and then there was the bun shop owner¡¯s petty schemes that had been nothing more than a flickering candle in the wind.

    But this¡ªthis was different. Three opponents. A united front. And the merchant union lurking in the shadows, ready to tip the scales against him with a mere nod.

    A slow breath escaped his lips. Difficult? Yes. Unexpected? Hardly. Any growing business was bound to stir the hornet¡¯s nest.

    Rather than diving headfirst into chaos, he broke the problem down. One step at a time.

    His thoughts turned to transportation. Too many unknowns. The roads would be their battlefield¡ªambushes, sabotage, hidden fees, and sudden "inspections." His rivals would exploit every trick in the book. But so could he.

    The corner of his lips lifted up as he looked at Boming. A plan was already forming in his mind.

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    ¡°I believe,¡± he said, ¡°I have a way to deal with this.¡±

    ***

    A group of people sat in a wide room, the chairs arranged at equal distances, creating an atmosphere of order and restraint. Servants moved between them, their footsteps light and practiced as they poured steaming tea into fine porcelain cups. The rich scent of brewed leaves filled the air, yet most of the attendees barely acknowledged it. Their attention was drawn instead to the two figures seated at the far edge of the room¡ªlocked in yet another bickering match.

    "Yexuan, you really showed your fangs this time," The woman snapped, her eyes throwing daggers at him¡ªso sharp and intense that any outsider would have flinched. "Poaching my spirit rice supply from White Bear Sect? And now, you''re even sitting there with that smug little smile on your face?"

    The man across from her, Yexuan of the Jinshi Trade Association, merely sneered, his fingers drawing patterns against the lacquered armrest of his chair. "It''s an open market, Wenqing. You can''t do anything about it. They simply thought your offer was cheap¡ªjust like you." His smirk widened. "Would you like to file a complaint to the head? I¡¯m sure he¡¯d scoff just like I am now."

    Wenqing, the owner of a well-known chain of high-end restaurants, let out a laugh, though there was no humor in it. "Oh no, I¡¯m not like you, scumbag, sending lavish gifts to the head just to curry favor. Must be nice, having your hands in so many pockets. I could never!"

    "Those sound like the words of someone who wishes they had the White Bear Sect¡¯s rice supply. Wouldn¡¯t you all agree?" Yexuan glanced around, an amused smile playing on his lips.

    The tension between them crackled, their rivalry long known among the union members. While the Jinshi Trade Association boasted a vast reach across multiple industries¡ªincluding the perfume business¡ªWenqing had built her empire on her own. Without a powerful backer, she fought tooth and nail for every resource, and she wasn¡¯t about to let Yexuan walk over her without a fight.

    The rest of the room merely sipped their tea in amusement. Their bickering was nothing new, and until the meeting officially began, there was no harm in enjoying the entertainment.

    Then, the doors to the chamber swung open.

    A hush fell over the room as an old man strode in, flanked by two guards. His presence commanded immediate respect, and without hesitation, everyone rose to their feet in acknowledgment of custom.

    The old man gave a single nod before lowering himself into his chair at the head of the room.

    He spoke. "I, Xueying Shenmu of the Xueying Clan, call this meeting to order."

    And just like that, all distractions were set aside.

    As the last of the servants filtered out of the room, the heavy wooden door creaked shut behind them, leaving only the select few in attendance. Even the guards, who usually stood watch outside, were dismissed for this meeting. The lanterns cast shadows across the table where the heads of the various businesses in Jingxi city gathered. The old man, a sharp-eyed figure with a long, silvery-streaked beard, was the first to break the silence.

    "Let''s go over today''s agenda. I trust everyone knows why we¡¯re here," he said, his gaze sweeping across the room.

    Wenqing snorted loudly, earning a few confused glances from her left. ¡°Do we really need a meeting for a new clan trying to enter Jingxi city? Happens all the time, doesn¡¯t it?¡± She asked, stroking her slender chin.

    Yexuan, the burly merchant cut through with a scowl on his face. "This one''s different," he said, his thick fingers steepling before him. "They¡¯ve taken over half the market in Cloud Mist City, and their backing comes directly from a sect. That¡¯s not just some merchant group we can ignore."

    She, in return, scoffed, her eyes narrowing in disdain. "You''re only saying that because it¡¯s a threat to your precious perfume business," she teased.

    Xueying Shenmu raised a hand to silence the fight. His gaze shifted to each person at the table before she spoke in a calm but firm voice. "I believe it''s a threat to a lot of businesses.¡± That silenced everyone, including Wenqing. ¡°Like Wenqing said, shops, merchant groups and clans entering our city isn''t anything new. But we created the union for a reason. To maintain the balance and protect our interests. We can''t afford another clan moving in.

    "From what we know, the Tang Clan and the Divine Coin Sect have big plans, and their actions up to now suggest they¡¯re not here for just a piece of the pie. They won¡¯t be happy with the bread crumbs we feed to other merchants who came here for business. They want it all. If we don''t act, they¡¯ll turn this place upside down."

    A heavy silence fell over the room as everyone considered Xueying Shenmu¡¯s words. Most knew that the old man¡¯s fervor had much to do with his own business interests, but no one dared to speak against him. The union had a structure, and words from the head carried weight. They had all seen what happened when someone disregarded that.

    Slowly, heads began to nod in agreement. The market was delicate¡ªtoo many new variables could send it spiraling out of control. They couldn''t afford to let another faction in, especially one with the backing of the Tang Clan. No one spoke up to challenge the old man, but the tension in the air was rough.

    The thoughtful silence was broken by the sharp voice of one of the men, a merchant who mostly dabbled in seafood. "So what are we going to do?" he asked and looked in between the head, Yuxuan and Wenqing. "Are they still trying to get into the city after their carriages were destroyed?"

    Xueying Shenmu''s brows furrowed. "That was a trap," he said, the words tinged with frustration. "They wanted to see how we would react."

    A murmur of confusion spread through the room, and one of the younger merchants leaned forward. "How did you figure that?"

    Yexuan, his arms crossed and his eyes scanning the table, grunted before speaking. "The perfumes and herbs we found¡ª" he paused, allowing the others to catch his meaning. "They were either fake or too common. Not the kind of materials you¡¯d expect from a clan with such high aspirations. And even the driver, when we went to investigate, he ran at the first sight of the men we hired. He didn''t even try to look at the carriage or material once."

    A few heads nodded in understanding. "It was all a test. A way for them to gauge what we would do, and they played right into our hands."

    Wenqing let out a low chuckle, a smile tugging at her lips. "Ah, so they¡¯re smart and paranoid. The worst kind of people to deal with.¡±

    "It doesn¡¯t matter. What matters is that now they know we¡¯re aware of our little game. This just means they¡¯re going to be more cautious. They¡¯ll probably send a retinue of guards, maybe even cultivators. We¡¯ll need to prepare,¡± Xueying Shenmu said.

    Wenqing scoffed, shaking her head. "Do we really need to? Although the Tang Clan can be formidable, they won''t put all their manpower into getting a foothold here and this Divine Coin Sect doesn¡¯t seem like much to me. It¡¯s not even a real sect, just a fledgling group with no real weight behind it. I have looked into it and it''s just an Emerging Sect."

    "It doesn¡¯t matter," the head of the table cut her off. "They¡¯ll still have cultivators at their disposal, and there are rumors¡ªmysterious ones¡ªabout their leader. People in Cloud Mist City call him Dragonheart."

    The room fell silent for a moment as everyone digested the name. One of the men scoffed, breaking the silence with a dismissive sneer. "Dragonheart? That¡¯s a stupid title. I bet he paid to spread those rumors to make himself feel important. I know enough cultivators who do that."

    "It doesn¡¯t matter what you think of the title, Kian. What matters is that he won the Cloud Mist City tournament, and he defeated a demonic cultivator in the process. He¡¯s dangerous. And they¡¯re alert now, more so than before,¡± Shenmu said pointedly. ¡°We can send more men to take care of their carriages, but there¡¯s still a good chance they¡¯ll manage to get into the city. They¡¯re determined, and the girl from the Tang Clan is shrewd enough to have already taken care of the legalities. She¡¯ll find a way in, regardless of what we do. We can only harm them with¡­ tricks. Subtly. Not directly at all.¡±

    Yexuan cleared his throat. ¡°Uh¡­ Well, have you prepared any?¡±

    The old man sat up straighter, his eyes gleaming with resolve. "A few things," he said. "I called this meeting to discuss just that.¡±

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

    PS - Changed the gun designs to be muskets so there can be proper progression after looking into the comments. Thank you for advice.

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 Chapter 87: Bandits

    Yushu yawned. His long, bulky hands stretched behind his neck as he sat on top of a small hill, overlooking a road. His back was against a tree as he felt himself almost falling asleep.

    When he had first become a cultivator and realized that, rather than soaring over cities and practicing techniques that could shatter entire buildings with a single strike, ¡®Cultivation¡¯ was more about sitting in a room, absorbing the world''s energy while popping pills like a drug addict, he had felt utterly betrayed. All those grand expectations¡ªreduced to hours of motionless meditation, chasing after some vague, unseen progress. And worse, while some people barely cultivated for an hour a day and still saw results, he could sit for entire nights and feel nothing.

    So he fought tooth and nail for pills to speed up his growth, only to realize that even that was a struggle. Between the politics of his sect, the resource hoarding, and the endless cycle of training on lifeless dummies, he had enough. If cultivation was going to be a slow death of boredom, he would rather risk dying on his own terms.

    And so, he left.

    Many called him foolish, said things like, nothing good will happen. That he was walking down the wrong path. That the heavens would not look kindly upon a rogue cultivator. But in just his first year of being one, he had proven them wrong. Even as a mere first star qi refinement cultivator, he received offers from various clans, each eager to recruit him.

    In the cities, women threw themselves at him, hoping to catch his eye and secure a better life. After all, even the lowest cultivator was far wealthier than ordinary mortals.

    In the end, he joined the clan that had given him the best offer¡ªthe Xueying Clan of Jingxi City.

    They had given him pills every week, accelerating his cultivation from first star to third star in just two years. It was something that he felt was impossible before, but it It became possible. Not only that, if he desired women, they were brought to him without hesitation. The clan leader had even attempted to betroth him to one of his daughters, eager for a grandson with cultivation talent.

    All in all, his life had suddenly become colorful¡ªa complete one-eighty to the dull days of meditation and endless training dummies.

    But just a week ago, that had changed.

    His latest task had been simple¡ªtoo simple for his liking, which was to stop a carriage from some Tang Clan trying to build a business in Jingxi City. He had done it easily. After all, it was just a carriage, not a cultivator. But apparently, it had been a trap. A false alarm that was well-played by the Tang Clan to gauge their reaction. Now, with the Xueying Clan¡¯s true intentions exposed, the Tang Clan was sending another batch of goods into the city, or at least that was what he was let on.

    This time, Clan Head Xueying Shenmu had warned him that cultivators might be among the escorts and that he might actually have to fight.

    And if he was honest?

    He didn¡¯t mind.

    He was confident in his skills. Unless the Tang Clan had somehow scraped together a peak qi refinement cultivator or, worse, a foundation establishment expert, he had nothing to worry about. And honestly, someone that strong wouldn¡¯t waste their time on merchant escort duty. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    But the problem wasn¡¯t the fight.

    It was the waiting.

    He had been sitting on this hill for seven hours now. The sun had set, the road remained empty, and the only thing accompanying him was the occasional night breeze.

    He almost felt like he was back in his sect, doing nothing but sitting around. And that pricked his scalp, not in a good way. He folded his arms in front of his chest, and let his eyes partially close in boredom.

    "Daoist Yushu, I see a carriage coming!"

    The sound of wooden wheels rolling forward reached his ears. he scoffed without even bothering to open his eyes. "Not every carriage belongs to the Tang Clan. We need to be sure before acting."

    "But, Daoist Yushu¡ªthe carriage is tinted red, and it has the Tang Clan¡¯s crest on it."

    Yushu¡¯s eyes snapped open.

    This time, he took a proper look.

    A large carriage strolled through the road. The wooden frame was reinforced with dark iron. And the front held a driver¡¯s seat where there was a lone man, controlling the veins. Behind that, a middle compartment was made, probably for the guards or anyone travelling with them. And at the very back, an extra portion extended outward, possibly for storage.

    It was just like the last one.

    Yushu turned his gaze to the group behind him¡ªfive mortal men and three body forging realm cultivators standing at attention.

    He smirked.

    "Get ready."

    Their spines straightened instantly.

    "Our goal is simple," he continued. "Kill any ordinary people, capture anyone important, and confiscate or destroy whatever they¡¯re carrying."

    A wave of grim nods passed through the group. ¡°You, aim properly!¡±

    Yushu motioned to one of the mortals, a bowman, who stepped forward and drew his weapon.

    The mortal narrowed his eyes, taking the aim. Yushu saw how he didn¡¯t even breathe for a second. They all waited for the perfect moment, locking their gazes on the rolling carriage¡ªthen, with a twang, the arrow was in motion, slicing through the air, finding its mark right at the carriage wheel dead center.

    A splintering crack rang out. The wheel snapped, sending the entire carriage lurching to the side. The force of the impact made it tilt uncontrollably, the wooden frame groaning as it tumbled forward and slammed into a tree with a heavy crash.

    ¡°Arrrrh!¡± The driver¡¯s high-pitched voice pierced through the air as he flung from his seat, his body hitting the ground hard. He let out a grunt, and another.

    Yushu grinned. "Great shot, mortal." He was on his feet the next second, drawing his weapon.

    "Now¡ªlet¡¯s go!"

    He heard his men acknowledge with battle cries, and together, they rushed down the hill.

    One by one, they moved towards the wrecked carriage. The road was mostly deserted at this hour¡ªfortunate for them, as there would be no interruptions.

    ¡°There,¡± Yushu signalled his men. They veered off to deal with the driver who was groaning on the ground while clutching his sides. Yushu strode toward the carriage doors, fully expecting resistance from whoever was inside.

    He grasped the handle and yanked the door open.

    ¡°Hello there,¡± Yushu said playfully, but his eyebrows shot upwards.

    Empty.

    But just as doubt began creeping into his mind, his eyes moved to the Tang Clan crest carved into the wooden door.

    No. This was definitely the one.

    Something was off.

    Something was off, he sensed it in his bones.

    He turned towards the rear compartment, where he knew that goods were typically stored.

    Taking a steadying breath, he reached for the doors.

    His fingers curled around the handle.

    Click.

    The latch lifted, and as the doors swung open, his eyes widened.

    There were no crates of herbs. No bottles of perfume.

    There were only people inside.

    Or at least¡ªat first glance, they seemed like people.

    In the dim gloom of the compartment, their figures were shrouded in darkness, but before Yushu could make sense of the situation, the one in the middle suddenly flashed him a grin¡ª

    ¡ªAnd lightning crackled to life in his fist.

    Instinct kicked in, and Yushu leaped backward.

    But he wasn¡¯t fast enough.

    The lightning strike arced through the air, slamming into his leg before he could fully escape.

    Pain exploded through his limb as a sharp zap surged through his body, and he hit the ground with a cry.

    "Daoist Yushu!" one of his men called out.

    The others snapped to attention, their weapons raised, watching their leader fall.

    But Yushu wasn¡¯t someone who would go down that easily. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself up, his injured leg trembling under his weight.

    "Get ready for battle! We¡¯ve been fooled!" he bellowed.

    As his words rang out, the lightning-wielding cultivator stepped out of the carriage.

    The first thing Yushu noticed was his short dark hair. Then, his smug smile.

    He tilted his head and sized the man up and down. He didn¡¯t even have a big build of a body to threaten Yushu, but his lightning packed a sharp jolt. His blood boiled at the audacity of the man. ¡°Who the f¡ª¡±

    His words died. And his breath hitched in his throat as he saw the other people step out of the carriage besides the cultivator.

    Though, it wouldn''t be right to call them people.

    Rather than flesh and blood, the figures that emerged were humanoid constructs, their limbs carved from wood, their joints held together by intricate mechanisms. He had mistaken them for humans in the darkness of the carriage, but now, he could tell what they were.

    Puppets.

    Yushu felt a chill crawl up his spine. And judging by the energy rolling off of them, these weren¡¯t just for show. They could fight better than any mortal he had brought.

    His gaze flicked back to the lightning-wielding Cultivator.

    "A Puppet Master?" Yushu muttered under his breath.

    Not just that¡ªone proficient in lightning arts that was in the qi refinement realm?

    His mind raced.

    The Xueying Clan Head had mentioned that the Tang Clan was working with some small-time sect. Yushu had assumed that meant a few low-level cultivators in the body forging realm.

    But this?

    A lightning user and combat-ready puppets were way beyond his pay grade. And he knew he couldn''t just retreat.

    Grinding his teeth, he charged forward, calling upon his qi as his fists became encased in solid stone, a martial technique he had painstakingly practiced known as [Earthshroud Gauntlet.]

    The lightning-wielding cultivator met him head-on.

    A crackling fist, wreathed in arcs of electricity, slammed against his own.

    For a split second, Yushu felt a tremor run through his stone armor¡ªthen a sharp fracture spread across its surface.

    The force behind the lightning cultivator¡¯s blows was no joke.

    Still, he refused to back down. Circulating his qi, he stepped forward and launched into another attack¡ª

    His fist came down like a hammer, aiming for his opponent¡¯s ribs.

    But the man moved like a phantom, electricity surging through his legs as he dodged, barely a flicker in Yushu¡¯s vision before he appeared just out of reach.

    And the few times Yushu did manage to land a hit?

    His opponent simply took the blow head-on, his body absorbing the impact without hesitation.

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    Realization hit him harder than a physical blow. The lightning user wasn¡¯t just some useless cultivator with no battle experience. He had the technique and endurance to fight on even footing.

    Summoning all his strength, Yushu activated his core technique¡ª[Titan''s Embrace.]

    A surge of qi hardened his skin, wrapping his entire body in a dense layer of stone, turning him into a walking juggernaut.

    With a roar, he lunged forward, too swift for a dodge, and as he expected, the lightning cultivator didn¡¯t getgot any time to jump back.

    Instead, his entire body shimmered, bathed in a brilliant sheen of blue light¡ªa defensive technique Yushu had never seen before.

    And when they collided, a shockwave rippled through. The ground cracked beneath them.

    For a moment, the two of them stood locked in place, neither giving an inch.

    Then¡ªlightning surged from the dark haired man¡¯s fingertips.

    Before Yushu could react, a blazing fist shot forward, striking him square in the face.

    His stone armor shattered¡ªand Yushu was sent flying.

    His body crashed against the hard ground, bouncing once before skidding to a stop.

    For a second, everything spun. His vision blurred, his ears rang, he couldn¡¯t even feel his limbs. The momentary defeat dissolved.

    Shaking his head, he forced himself to focus.

    His gaze swept across the battlefield¡ª

    One of his fellow cultivators was already down.

    The other two were locked in a desperate struggle¡ªsurrounded by four wooden puppets, their movements relentless and precise.

    As for the rest of his mortal men?

    They lay scattered, groaning in pain, completely overwhelmed by the puppets.

    Yushu counted seven of them in total¡ªeach one radiating the strength of a body forging realm fighter.

    The sheer quantity of them was absurd.

    He had assumed that the sect backing the Tang Clan was insignificant.

    Now?

    It was clear that he''d made a grave mistake.

    A sharp crackle made his heart lurch¡ª

    He turned just in time to see the lightning cultivator charging toward him again, eyes locked onto him like a predator moving in for the kill.

    Desperately, Yushu punched the ground.

    A jagged crack split open the road, forcing the lightning cultivator to leap into the air.

    But that brief moment¡ªthat single heartbeat¡ªwas all Yushu needed to push himself back to his feet.

    His mind raced as he wondered what to do. Even if he somehow held his ground against this lightning bastard, how the hell was he supposed to deal with the puppets?

    And more importantly¡ª

    Yushu barely had a moment to think.

    A surge of lightning arced toward him, crackling like an unchained storm. Reacting on instinct, he forced qi into his skin¡ª

    Stone encased his body, forming a protective shell¡ªBut it wasn¡¯t enough. The lightning tore through, searing his flesh beneath the cracks. His knees buckled. His muscles spasmed.

    He bit down on his tongue, the sharp pain grounding him just enough to keep his stance from collapsing completely.

    His opponent was already closing in.

    Yushu poured qi into the ring on his finger.

    A silver spear materialized in his grasp, shocking the lightning cultivator whose eyes widened in shock.

    Yushu thrust forward.

    The tip of the spear pierced through his opponent¡¯s arm, slipping past the thin sheen of his defensive technique.

    The lightning Cultivator gritted his teeth and staggered back.

    But within moments, the starlight barrier flickered back to life, repairing itself.

    Yushu refused to give him time to recover.

    He lunged forward, spear cutting through the air in rapid succession, aiming to break through the defense completely.

    But the lightning cultivator was too fast.

    With lightning coiling around his legs, he blurred out of reach again and again.

    Yushu growled in frustration.

    He had heard of lightning cultivators being nimble, but this was ridiculous.

    ¡°Enough with the tricks. It¡¯s time to end this.¡±

    The words sent a chill down Yushu¡¯s spine.

    For the first time, the lightning cultivator stopped moving. Looking at Yushu as if¡ªas if he was just a dead man standing. His stance held firm. Yushu didn¡¯t hesitate. He drove his spear straight toward his chest.

    It landed.

    For a fraction of a second, Yushu thought he had won.

    Then he saw it¡ª

    The defensive energy converging.

    It wrapped around his spear, locking it in place.

    His eyes widened.

    ¡°NO!¡±

    He tried to pull back, but it was already too late.

    Lightning surged from his opponent¡¯s body, a storm condensed into a single devastating blast. Electricity ripped through him, burning, tearing, forcing his body into violent spasms. Yushu tried to form a final rock armor¡ªbut the moment it took shape, it shattered.

    His vision blurred. His body collapsed.

    The last thing he saw¡ª

    Was the lightning cultivator¡¯s impassive gaze and his stupid smirk. He wished he could wipe that clean off of his face. But¡ª but, his eyelids grew heavy.

    Darkness overtook him.

    ***

    Chen Ren exhaled, wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. His body still thrummed with the lingering aftershocks of battle, muscles taut from the strain.

    He glanced down at his side¡ªa clean puncture wound, courtesy of the spear that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

    The injury wasn''t deep, and the bleeding had already stopped.

    Still¡­ he hadn¡¯t seen that attack coming.

    It was a mistake. One that had cost him blood.

    His expression darkened for a brief moment, then he let out a quiet breath, dismissing the thought. His body would recover. Instead, his gaze drifted downward, settling on the unconscious figure sprawled across the ground.

    The man¡¯s breathing was ragged, his body still twitching slightly from the aftermath of lightning coursing through his meridians.

    But Chen Ren¡¯s attention wasn¡¯t on his injuries.

    It was on the ring¡ªa simple, unadorned band of dull silver wrapped around the cultivator¡¯s index finger.

    There were no gems, no engravings, nothing that would make it stand out to the untrained eye. But Chen Ren knew better. Even without touching it, he could feel the faint pulse of qi emanating from within and the spear appearing out of nowhere already confirmed what the ring was.

    A spatial artifact.

    A coveted treasure.

    He knelt down, slipping the ring from the man¡¯s finger, rolling it between his own.

    Up close, the material was smooth, cool against his fingertips.

    There were faint etchings along the inner rim, almost invisible, but undoubtedly part of the formation that allowed it to store objects beyond normal space.

    He pressed a thread of his qi into the ring, testing its reaction.

    Would it recognize him? Or was it bound by the previous owner¡¯s will?

    Chen Ren furrowed his brows as his qi failed to make anything happen. The ring was apparently qi bound.

    He clicked his tongue, eyes narrowing slightly. That complicated things.

    Before he could think further, footsteps echoed behind him, deliberate and unhurried.

    He turned his head, his guard still raised, but when the figure approached and reached up to remove his mask, a familiar face was revealed.

    Hong Yi.

    His silver eyes glinted with amusement as he glanced around at the unconscious bodies littering the battlefield, then let out a low chuckle.

    "That was a great fight," Hong Yi said, stepping closer. "I can¡¯t believe things went this easy."

    Chen Ren smirked. "That¡¯s because we planned for it. Expected everything."

    His gaze shifted to the fallen cultivators around them.

    "And we got our prize."

    He lifted the ring between his fingers before gesturing at the defeated men.

    Hong Yi¡¯s eyes immediately locked onto the ring, a flicker of greed flashing through them before he let out a thoughtful hum.

    "A spatial ring?"

    Chen Ren nodded. "Yeah. And big enough to house a spear."

    Hong Yi¡¯s expression changed slightly at that. "A ring that size¡­" he muttered, rubbing his chin. "It¡¯d be worth at least a dozen spirit stones. Maybe more, depending on its size and functions. But they¡¯re really rare." He gave Chen Ren a sidelong glance. "Are you planning to use it for yourself?"

    Chen Ren twirled the ring once before sighing. "I can¡¯t seem to open it. Looks like it¡¯s qi-bound." His eyes flickered with consideration. "I¡¯ll need someone like Qing He or Yalan to go over it before I can use it. But yeah, it¡¯s a nice reward for all the trouble." He smirked, tucking the ring into his robes. "I¡¯m sure the Xueying Clan gave it to this guy." His gaze drifted over the unconscious man before him. "Wonder how they¡¯ll react when they realize they lost both him and the ring."

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

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 Chapter 88: Machine and machinations

    Xueying Shenmu, clan head of the prestigious Xueying clan, swung his sword, feeling the ripple of his biceps. His muscles strained as each blow landed. A sharp crack formed against the wooden dummy in front of him.

    ¡°Argh!¡± He swung it again, this time aiming at the dummy¡¯s neck. It once again caused wood to splinter. Beads of sweat ran down his face as he brought his sword back, just to hit the dummy again, and again.

    His grunts filled the air, as he kept on swinging.

    The movement became one of practice rather than conscious as his eyes grew distant, lost in memories.

    Every strike reminded him of his childhood.

    Born to a branch family of cultivators, Shenmu had once dreamed of rising above his humble beginnings, wielding a sword with enough strength to topple mountains and make the heavens tremble. His days back then had been spent just like this¡ªrelentlessly swinging his weapon, sharpening his skills, and preparing for the moment he could step onto the path of cultivation and bring glory to his family.

    But fate had been cruel. Extremely cruel that he almost felt bad for himself.

    When his spirit roots had finally been tested, the results were devastating. None. While his two younger brothers were found to have excellent cultivation potential and had been chosen as the future scions of their branch family, Shenmu had been left behind, crushed beneath his shattered dreams.

    For years, he only tasted one thing; bitterness.

    Until, one day, he didn¡¯t.

    The realisation hit him; there was more to life than just chasing unreachable heights. There were other ways to bring pride to his clan¡ªother ways that he could stand tall. And so, he had set down his sword and chosen a different path. The path of money.

    His lips twitched upward slightly as he thought about how far he¡¯d been able to come. Through grit, ambition, and relentless effort, he had built a fortune so vast that no one dared to look down on him now. He was still mortal, but he commanded the respect of both cultivators and commoners. His family, once just a branch, had become one of the most powerful clans in Jingxi. And countless cultivators now bowed their heads to his family¡ªbecause of his wealth. He hired more than half of them to work for him.

    Still, even after all those years of training, he had never let go of the discipline he¡¯d forged in his youth.

    Every morning, he trained, swinging his sword as if he could carve those dummies with it.

    Another strike, and he pushed another painful memory aside.

    Maybe this was his way of coping, but it¡¯d helped him for years.

    He pushed past another memory of his siblings this time. He raised his sword again¡ª

    Shenmu frowned, lowering his weapon as he turned toward the door that slowly opened. Standing in the doorway was the chief steward, Dexin, an elderly man with a thin frame and a perpetually serious expression. He bowed deeply.

    ¡°Master.¡±

    Shenmu¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°You know I don¡¯t like to be disturbed during this time.¡±

    Dexin straightened. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have, Master, unless it was important. I know better.¡±

    A moment passed before Shenmu gave a curt nod. ¡°Very well. Speak.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve just received word, Master. A new delivery of Heavenly Fragrance bottles and materials was made to their shop about an hour ago.¡±

    At those words, Xueying Shenmu''s eyes widened, shock flashing across his face. ¡°What happened? We sent Yushu and the others, right?¡±

    ¡°We did, Master. But none of them have reported back. We¡¯re assuming they¡¯ve been captured by the forces of the Tang Clan and the Divine Coin Sect.¡±

    Shenmu¡¯s expression darkened, his jaw tightening until he heard his teeth grind. He shook his head after a few seconds of contemplation. ¡°That can¡¯t be. No, check once again. Yushu is a qi refinement realm cultivator. According to what we know, this so-called sect is a newly established one, no different from any other Emerging sect.¡±

    Dexin cleared his throat. ¡°Master, we assume that Chen Ren himself might have protected the carriage. And as far as things have been confirmed, he is in the qi refinement realm too.¡±

    ¡°Even then, we sent more cultivators with Yushu. There¡¯s no way he could have done this alone. This Chen Ren must have brought in more cultivators to support his sect, or it wouldn¡¯t have been possible.¡± He paused, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully, before asking, ¡°Did they at least manage to damage some of the supplies? There were orders to harm and retreat if they weren¡¯t confident in winning.¡±

    Dexin shifted uncomfortably, a trace of hesitation in his voice as he responded, ¡°No, Master¡­ There wasn¡¯t anything like that. All the materials were delivered safely, and the scouts specifically reported that the Heavenly Fragrance bottles were in pristine condition.¡±

    Shenmu¡¯s teeth clenched audibly, a flash of anger rippling through him. ¡°How can that be?¡±

    ¡°Because we were tricked, Master.¡±

    Shenmu¡¯s head snapped up. ¡°Tricked? How?¡±

    ¡°When we observed the delivery, we noticed that the supplies didn¡¯t come from the Tang Clan¡¯s carriage as expected. Instead, there were six carriages owned by ordinary merchants, carrying mixed supplies. We later identified them as traveling merchants whose business route runs between Cloud Mist City and Jingxi City. It seems the Tang Clan paid them to hide their supplies among their other goods.¡± sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Shenmu¡¯s eyes glinted with cold fury as he considered the implications. He certainly hadn''t expected such a move.

    ¡°Do you want us to take action against those merchants?¡±

    He fell silent, lowering the sword slowly as he sank into deep thought. Did he want to go against those merchants who had crossed his their clan? Did they even know what they were doing or were they simply after some easy coins? His mind spinned with different scenarios.

    After a long moment, he sighed and spoke.

    ¡°No¡­ leave them be.¡±

    Dexin blinked in surprise but remained quiet as Shenmu continued.

    ¡°Even if we warn those merchants, the Tang Clan will just find someone else next time. And they might even employ more clever tactics to avoid detection.¡± His lips curled into a smile. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since we¡¯ve had outsiders bold enough to stand against us. Bold¡­ and cunning.¡±

    He took a slow breath. ¡°But they¡¯re forgetting one thing. We have roots in this city, deep roots that have grown strong over generations. They¡¯re just a sapling. And there¡¯s no way this ends well for them.¡±

    ¡°What are your orders, Master?¡±

    ¡°For now, do nothing. Watch them carefully, but don¡¯t interfere. They¡¯ll be expecting retaliation, waiting for us to make a move. Let them fall into a false sense of security.¡±

    He rubbed his hands; one thing on his mind. ¡°And when they finally open up, we¡¯ll rip that sapling out of the ground.¡±

    ***

    Chen Ren moved through the spacious two-storey building. Tang Yuqiu walked beside him, her eyes squinted in pride and excitement. He glanced around, taking in the place she had spent the past few months renovating. Sunlight poured in through large windows. It made the space feel warm.The ground floor had an open layout, perfect for displays, with sleek counters, shelves, and plenty of room for customers to move around. The high ceilings gave it a grand, airy feeling, and the decorative lanterns hanging from the rafters added a touch of refinement.

    The first floor had smaller sections partitioned for specialty goods, areas were connected by smooth, dark wood railings and stone steps. The second floor, he assumed, would be for administration or VIP clients and they could always add more floors. It was clear Tang Yuqiu had spared no expense.

    Chen Ren let out a low whistle, impressed. ¡°You sure you didn¡¯t just empty everything you earned through Heavenly Fragrances¡ªand more¡ªby buying this building?¡±

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    Tang Yuqiu turned to him with a confident smile. ¡°I still have money left,¡± she said breezily, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have put this much into it if I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d earn it back the moment this store opens.¡±

    Chen Ren arched a brow. ¡°You could¡¯ve asked me for some help, you know.¡±

    She shook her head, a light chuckle escaping her lips. ¡°You were busy with your sect. I know you¡¯ve taken in a lot of people, and feeding them every day can¡¯t be easy.¡±

    He opened his mouth to respond, but she wasn¡¯t done. ¡°Besides,¡± she added, ¡°you¡¯re already giving ideas on perfumes and clothes. It¡¯s only natural that I handle the rest. I can¡¯t be a bad business partner, now, can I?¡±

    Chen Ren nodded, not arguing, but inside, he felt a quiet wave of gratitude. He¡¯d definitely made the right call by partnering with her. Their relationship hadn¡¯t started off smoothly, but now, he knew he could leave a lot in her capable hands and trust that she wouldn¡¯t let him down.

    More than that, she was keeping his situation in mind¡ªmanaging the business without asking him for money, even though they were partners. That was as good as a business partner could get.

    The only thing he could do to repay that trust was to make sure this expansion worked out. For both of them.

    As they descended to the ground floor, Chen Ren¡¯s eyes were drawn to the organized chaos of crates and supplies scattered across the room. Large wooden crates labeled with the distinctive mark of Heavenly Fragrances were stacked neatly along one wall, while rows of wrapped wooden bottles gained his attention almost immediately. The perfume bottles, with their elegant designs and delicate stoppers, seemed almost out of place amidst the rough, utilitarian packaging.

    Nearby, smaller containers filled with raw materials for production were stacked in clusters. Dried herbs, powdered minerals, and oils imported from the outskirts of Cloud Mist City were neatly packed, labeled with the contents and sources. Tang Yuqiu¡¯s thoroughness was evident in every detail. He was glad that none of it had broken.

    Even if he knew his plan was most likely to work, he was still concerned and had sent Tang Boming and his men to each of the merchant carriages that had the materials to protect them. Fortunately, they had delivered the materials in good condition.

    Chen Ren crossed his arms, nodding appreciatively. ¡°When are you planning to start production?¡±

    They had gotten enough perfumes for the grand opening, but they were setting up a factory in Jingxi as well. It made more sense for them to supply the raw materials from Cloud Mist City since they were cheap and abundant there. It would save them a fortune in transportation cost down the line if they produced everything locally.

    ¡°In a day or two.¡±

    Chen Ren nodded. ¡°Sounds good. What about the clothes?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve already prepared samples. Depending on how well they sell, I¡¯ll expand production. But it might take some time. These designs aren¡¯t easy to make, and crafting them is labor-intensive. Even if I hire more workers, the profit margins will shrink. It¡¯s a fine balance, you know.¡±

    Chen Ren sighed, knowing she was right. In this world, sewing and cloth-making were entirely handcrafted processes, demanding years of practice to master. Unlike the convenience of machines he remembered from his previous life, here it was an intricate art form. Each stitch, each pattern was a testament to the skill of the artisan. Even cultivators often took it up as a discipline, producing enchanted robes and garments as a specialty.

    But waiting wasn¡¯t something he was fond of. He had a strong feeling these clothes would be a hit, and the more stock they had, the better. The thought of missing out on potential sales because of slow production didn¡¯t sit well with him.

    Fortunately, he¡¯d already devised a way to speed things along. A small, satisfied smile played on his lips as he thought about it. It was time for him to step up as a business partner¡ªTang Yuqiu had already more than proven her worth, and now it was his turn to do the same.

    ¡°Actually, I do have a way to speed things along,¡± he said casually.

    She raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. ¡°Oh? You¡¯ve got another method to make clothes? Like the perfume idea?¡±

    ¡°Something like that. It¡¯s very simple. You just have to rely on a machine to reduce the manual work. With that, we¡¯ll increase production by a lot.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu blinked at him, and then her eyebrows squinted ¡°A machine? What kind of machine?¡±

    Instead of answering right away, he reached into his storage pouch and pulled out a rolled-up parchment. He unfurled it on a nearby crate, revealing a detailed, hand-drawn diagram. It was filled with precise sketches, tiny notes, and arrows pointing to various components.

    ¡°I came up with this design once I returned to my sect after our talk,¡± he explained, tapping the parchment. ¡°It won¡¯t be the easiest thing to build since it needs some fine-tuning, but if we can pull it off, I think we¡¯ll have a machine that could change the way clothes are made.¡±

    She traced her finger along some of the lines, trying to make sense of it, but her expression quickly turned puzzled. ¡°I¡¯m not going to lie, this looks¡­ complicated.¡±

    ¡°It is. This is a sewing machine.¡± He pointed to a part of the drawing where a small, sharp object was prominently featured. ¡°See this here? This is the needle. It¡¯s the core of the whole machine. As the machine works, the needle pierces the fabric automatically. And that means on its own.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu squinted at the parchment, then glanced at him. ¡°On its own? How?¡±

    Chen Ren tapped another part of the diagram. ¡°This is the hand crank. It¡¯s a small wheel on the side that you turn by hand. That, in turn, moves the needle up and down. And here¡ª¡± he pointed again, ¡°¡ªare the feed dogs.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu immediately straightened up, giving him a wide-eyed, incredulous look. ¡°Feed¡­ dogs?¡± She tilted her head. ¡°Wait, why are we talking about dogs all of a sudden? Are you okay? Do you need to sit down?¡±

    Chen Ren couldn¡¯t hold it in a laugh. The seriousness in her eyes made him shake his head, but he could see why she would get confused by the name. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s just the name of the component in the sewing machine,¡± he explained, pointing at the small part on the diagram. ¡°It¡¯s called that because it looks like a dog¡¯s teeth.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu tilted her head, studying the drawing again before nodding. ¡°Okay, that makes sense¡­ sort of. But your naming sense is still a little strange.¡±

    Chen Ren considered telling her that he wasn¡¯t the one who came up with the name, but he let it slide and continued his explanation instead. He walked her through the various parts of the machine, explaining how they worked together¡ªthe hand crank turning the gears, the needle moving automatically, and the feed dogs pulling the fabric forward.

    At first, he¡¯d thought of making a more modern, electronic version. But as soon as the thought came to mind, he dismissed it. The lack of electricity in the empire was a major issue, and he didn¡¯t want to add an array to every machine, knowing it would be too much effort in the long run¡ªcostly and impractical. So, he¡¯d settled on a gear-based design instead¡ªsomething anyone could use.

    Besides, it would get the workers used to the concept, and later on, he could always upgrade the design when the time wasis right.

    By the time he finished explaining, Tang Yuqiu looked far less confused, though a flicker of astonishment lingered on her face. She tried to hide it, but Chen Ren could see it clear as day.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know if we¡¯ll be able to build it exactly like this¡­ but if we can, it¡¯ll be a massive innovation. Something that could change the entire clothing industry.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. And we¡¯ll be at the forefront of it.¡±

    ¡°How do you even come up with all these things? Noodles, ice cream, chips, perfumes¡­ and now this? Sometimes, I think you¡¯ve stumbled upon the hidden knowledge of some ancient sage.¡±

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t reply right away, but internally, he thought she wasn¡¯t entirely wrong. It wasn¡¯t exactly a sage¡ªmore like the collective wisdom of the internet. Most of his knowledge came from browsing random topics during high school and college, a mix of curiosity and procrastination that was now paying off in ways he¡¯d never imagined.

    Not wanting to dwell on that thought, he changed the subject. ¡°Anyway, the faster we get a prototype made, the better for us. Once we have that, we¡¯ll need to make at least a few machines to ramp up production. The opening day of our little mall is getting close, and we want to be ready.¡±

    Tang Yuqiu nodded. ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll get to it.¡± She rolled up the parchment carefully, cradling it like it was a treasure. ¡°You won¡¯t be disappointed.¡±

    Chen Ren smiled. ¡°I know I won¡¯t.¡±

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

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 Chapter 89: Marketing is constant

    Tang Yuqiu couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the sight before her. The machine, made of copper and gears, clacked steadily as it stitched together a dress¡ªsomething that would have taken weeks by hand. Now, it felt like it would be done in just two days. And it was only two days because the woman using it was still adjusting to the new process.

    It had only been two weeks since she started learning how to use the machine, and old habits didn¡¯t change overnight. Still, Tang Yuqiu couldn¡¯t help but envision a future where hundreds of these machines were at work, producing enough clothes to flood the market¡ªwithout breaking their backs on labor costs.

    Just a month ago, she would have dismissed such a scenario as impossible. Yet here she was, standing in front of a miracle brought to life by Chen Ren.

    They only had three sewing machines right now, but the blacksmith she¡¯d hired was already working on more. She remembered his face when he first looked at the blueprint¡ªhow he¡¯d stared at it for a long moment before shaking his head and muttering that it was more complicated than some weapons he¡¯d forged. Even with a detailed design, it had taken him a full week to craft the first one.

    Though a part of her mind still wondered how Chen Ren had come up with something so advanced that it could shock a veteran blacksmith. But deep down, she wasn¡¯t sure she wanted to know the answer. Because whatever it was, she had a feeling it would only lead to more questions¡ªquestions that might change how she saw him forever.

    And right now, she wasn¡¯t sure if she was ready for that.

    Their relationship was finally reaching a place where they could trust each other, where they were starting to work together as real partners. Whatever secrets Chen Ren might be hiding¡­ she wasn¡¯t ready to uncover them just yet.

    Her father had often told her that curiosity could lead to disastrous outcomes. He¡¯d even recounted the tale of a werecat whose curiosity cost her life, a cautionary story that Tang Yuqiu had taken to heart. She lived by his principles. And right now, she had no desire to do anything that might upset the balance between her and Chen Ren¡ªespecially when they were on the cusp of opening their mall.

    It had already been a month since he¡¯d helped transport the materials to Jingxi. After that, he¡¯d decided to stay, saying she might need him if the union tried anything else¡ªand to help with setting things up. She had to admit, in the past month, he¡¯d certainly been busy.

    He¡¯d taken charge of transporting additional materials, setting up a small factory at the back of their building to begin production, and assisting with the construction of the sewing machines. But that wasn¡¯t all. He¡¯d also been keeping a close watch on the city, gathering information and preparing for any retaliation from the union.

    To both their surprise, though, nothing had happened. It was as if the union had decided to quietly back off. No other attempts had been made during transportation for more materials, and there hadn¡¯t been so much as a whisper of a counterattack for the men they had captured. Unfortunately, the prisoners hadn¡¯t yielded much useful information either.

    The mortals among them had been easy to interrogate, but they were little more than grunts¡ªcompletely useless. The cultivators, however, had been far harder to control. Chen Ren had been forced to use a poison that slowly ate away at their qi to keep them bound, and even then, it had taken a while to break them down. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    When they finally spoke, their information was disappointingly sparse. They were nothing more than hired muscle for the Xueying Clan, with little knowledge of the clan¡¯s inner workings. Still, they¡¯d confirmed what Chen Ren and Yuqiu had already suspected: Xueying Shenmu, the clan leader, wouldn¡¯t stop until he¡¯d crushed their business completely. He had a reputation for¡­ pitiless efficiency and the prisoners had described past instances where Shenmu had systematically wiped out rival enterprises down to their very roots.

    If nothing else, it gave them a clearer picture of the enemy they were up against¡ªand just how dangerous he really was.

    The silence from the union was beginning to gnaw at Yuqiu, leaving her uneasy. Even now, as she made her way through the corridor on the second floor of their mall, she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling. It was a continuous heaviness. They had converted this part of the building into production and living quarters for herself, Chen Ren, and their subordinates.

    Making her way down the stairs, she tried to push the uneasiness aside. Tomorrow was the grand opening, and she couldn¡¯t afford to spiral in any way. The ground floor looked spotless, exactly how she wanted. Shelves gleamed with neatly arranged perfumes, and every corner of the shop reflected the effort they had poured into it. She could only hope the launch would be as successful as it had been in Cloud Mist City.

    She stood for an extra second, surveying the space.

    From the right corner, she saw her maid, Ling¡¯er approaching and turned her head towards her. The latter offered a polite bow before speaking.

    ¡°Young Miss, everything is ready. I¡¯m sure the customers will be stunned by how beautiful the shop looks.¡±

    Yuqiu smiled, but it seemed like Ling''er noticed the worry etched on her face and frowned slightly. ¡°Is something troubling you, young miss? I can help¡ª¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not anything tangible,¡± Yuqiu admitted, sighing softly. ¡°Just pre-opening jitters. I¡¯ve been through it before, but the nerves never really go away. Not when it feels like there¡¯s an axe hanging over our heads.¡±

    ¡°Young Miss, we¡¯ve done everything we could, and we¡¯ve planned for every possibility. It will be okay.¡±

    Yuqiu gave a small, wry smile. ¡°You know as well as I do, Ling''er, that things never go exactly according to plan. Change is the only constant in business. Our success will depend on how well we adapt to whatever comes our way.¡±

    Ling''er mirrored her smile. ¡°And you will adapt, Young Miss. You always do. Besides, Young Master Chen Ren is with you. He won¡¯t let the union cause any harm.¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± Yuqiu whispered. ¡°I have faith in him. He¡¯s done so much for us, and I know he¡¯ll keep us safe. But¡­ But you know, I can¡¯t rely on him forever. That¡¯s not how it works. My father is happy that I¡¯m finally seeing the kind of success he always hoped for me, but I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ve truly earned it yet. Chen Ren has been responsible for so much of this. He¡¯s here now, but he has his own path. Even if he acts like a merchant, he¡¯s still a cultivator at heart. One day, he¡¯ll have to move on¡ªand I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll be able to keep this going without him.¡±

    Ling¡¯er took a step closer. Yuqiu saw the way she clutched her hands a little tighter.¡°Young Miss, I have faith in you. You¡¯ve worked hard for this, and I believe you will take Heavenly Fragrances to even greater heights.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Ling''er. You¡¯ve always been there for me.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s my duty, Miss.¡±

    Yuqiu fell silent at that, her thoughts swirling. She knew that just talking to someone¡ªeven someone as steadfast as her maid¡ªwouldn¡¯t completely alleviate her fears. Those fears were hers alone to deal with. No one could shoulder that burden for her.

    But even so, it helped to know that there were people who believed in her, people who had faith in her abilities. That knowledge didn¡¯t erase the fear, but it gave her something far more valuable¡ªcourage. Courage to face whatever storm might come for Heavenly Fragrances.

    Before that, however, she had to focus on the challenge directly in front of her.

    The opening day.

    They had worked tirelessly for weeks to get everything ready. Plans had been made, the marketing campaign had already been rolled out, and all that was left now was to see if their efforts would bear fruit.

    And tomorrow, she would witness it for herself. Whether the opening would be a success or not would depend on how well they had prepared¡ªand how well they could adapt if things went awry.

    She inhaled through the nose, felt her lungs fill and straightened her shoulders. She gave a small nod to Ling''er, locking her determination in. Tomorrow would be the start of something great. It had to be.

    ***

    Yan Ling strolled aimlessly through the lively streets of Jingxi, feeling lost in the middle of the hustle and chatter of the crowd around her. A few times, she lightly bumped into a passersby, murmuring distracted apologies without truly registering them. Her mind was elsewhere, spinning through the river of unfortunate events that had come to her life over the past few weeks. And all those thoughts pressed her chest tighter, cutting off any conscious supply of air.

    Just a year ago, the Yan Clan had been one of the more prominent minor merchant clans in Jingxi. Their transportation business had been thriving, with steady contracts and loyal customers. Her father had been confident that their success would earn him a coveted seat in the union, the headmost trade body in the city.

    But the heavens, it seemed, had a twisted sense of humor.

    A few devastating raids by well-organized bandits were all it took to cripple their reputation. Word spread fast in the merchant circles, and soon, the Yan Clan¡¯s contracts began slipping through their fingers like sand. Fewer customers, dwindling profits¡ªand then, bankruptcy was over them like a shadow they couldn¡¯t escape.

    In the weeks that followed, as her family scrambled to recover from the losses, her father had sat her down with a somber expression and delivered the final blow: the marriage talks they had been negotiating with two wealthy clans had completely fallen through. Those families, sensing their decline, had backed out without so much as a word of apology.

    ¡°You¡¯ll have to find a match on your own,¡± he¡¯d told her, looking wearier than she¡¯d ever seen him.

    Yan Ling had nodded at the time, putting on a brave face, but deep down, she knew the truth.

    At twenty four, she was already considered too old to marry in Jingxi¡¯s upper circles. Her younger cousins had been married off years ago, securing alliances and stable futures, while she had waited, hoping for a match that would bring her wealth and status.

    And now? That dream was crumbling before her eyes.

    She could already imagine the whispers¡ªthe knowing glances from other merchant daughters, the pitying smiles from her aunts. If she didn¡¯t secure a match soon, she would end up like those bitter old matrons who spent their days gossiping and lamenting what could have been.

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    Her father had promised that he would support her in marrying whoever she chose, but what good was that when she didn¡¯t have a line of suitors clamoring for her hand?

    Sighing, she rubbed her temple, trying to cease the incoming headache.

    That might have been true two years ago when the Yan Clan¡¯s business was at its peak, and her name carried a weight in Jingxi¡¯s merchant circles. Back then, she had been seen as a desirable match¡ªa young woman from a prosperous family with a bright future ahead of her.

    But now?

    Now, Yan Ling was hardly thought of as someone with good prospects. A twenty four year old woman from a fallen clan, no longer the talk of advantageous marriage arrangements. Too old for the best matches, lacking in wealth, and without any clear path forward, her head felt like it might explode just from thinking about it all.

    And it wasn¡¯t as though she could just marry anyone. Even with their decline, the Yan family wouldn¡¯t allow her to marry beneath their station. They needed someone of equal or greater status for the marriage to make sense. But where was she supposed to find such a match when most potential suitors avoided families on the verge of ruin?

    Her only real chance had come two days ago, when she¡¯d managed to secure an invitation to a banquet¡ªa prestigious gathering where even members of the Union would be in attendance. It might be her only opportunity to make an impression, to catch the eye of a young master with enough wealth and influence to overlook her family¡¯s current misfortune.

    But even that opportunity came with problems.

    Her clothes were old¡ªtwo seasons out of fashion¡ªand her jewelry was barely worth wearing. She could already imagine the disapproving glances and whispered comments from the other young women at the banquet, who would be dressed in the latest silks and draped in gold and jade.

    She¡¯d asked her father for help, hoping he might buy her at least a new dress, but he had only shaken his head and sighed. ¡°We¡¯re struggling to keep the business afloat. We can¡¯t afford luxuries right now.¡±

    And so, she had spent the past two days wandering through the city, visiting shop after shop, hoping to find something suitable within her meager budget. She¡¯d tried negotiating for lower prices, pleading with shopkeepers she had once known, but none of it had worked. The dresses she could afford were too plain, and the ones she wanted were far beyond her reach.

    In the end, she had refused to go home, feeling like it would be admitting defeat if she did.

    Now, as she strolled through the streets, her mind was heaving with frustration and hopelessness, she suddenly noticed a large crowd gathered near the central square, where roads branched off toward different districts of the city.

    she wondered, slowing her steps as she craned her neck to get a better look.

    The crowd was clustered around something, but she wasn''t able to make out what it was.

    Curiosity stirred within her. It wasn¡¯t often that something would attract this much attention, especially in the central square.

    Yan Ling let her feet carry her toward the crowd. Using her small, petite frame to her advantage, she slipped between the people, squeezing through narrow gaps until she found herself near the front. It wasn¡¯t too difficult¡ªmost of the men and women were too preoccupied with whatever was happening ahead to notice her weaving through them.

    When she finally reached the front, the scene before her left her momentarily confused.

    A beautiful woman with striking features stood in the middle, dressed in a flowing gown of deep crimson silk embroidered with highlighting gold patterns. Her posture was graceful but commanding, and her lips were curved in a bright, confident smile.

    In front of her was a long wooden table, lined with neat rows of small perfume bottles. Behind her stood several men who looked like guards¡ªbroad-shouldered, watchful eyes and swords strapped to their waists.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad our little demonstration has caught your attention,¡± the woman said. ¡°But don¡¯t worry¡ªI won¡¯t take up too much of your time.¡±

    Before she could continue, a playful voice called out from the crowd, ¡°I was hoping to see you for a while longer!¡±

    That earned a ripple of laughter from the onlookers, and the woman smirked, tilting her head slightly.

    ¡°Thank you, but sadly, I¡¯m not on display today.¡± She gestured gracefully toward the table. ¡°Heavenly Fragrances¡¯ perfumes are.¡±

    Yan Ling¡¯s eyes shifted to the bottles on display. They were made of polished wood¡ªnot even glass, and although she couldn¡¯t see the liquid inside, the subtle, lingering scent that was wafting through the air hinted at something high-quality. Having used so many perfumes, she knew that well.

    The woman continued, her smile never wavering. ¡°I¡¯m sure some of you here have already heard of Heavenly Fragrances. We¡¯re the most famous perfume brand in Cloud Mist City, with customers ranging from high-society ladies to common folk¡ªand even cultivators. And now, we¡¯re finally here in Jingxi, ready to let you discover what true high-quality perfume smells like, all for the price of just five to eight silver wen!¡±

    Yan Ling¡¯s eyes widened in shock.

    She stared at the bottles, half-expecting them to transform into something cheap-looking, but the smell remained as refined and pleasant as before. She never knew that perfumes were sold at such low prices, and she couldn¡¯t help but wonder if it was some kind of scam. Most perfumes in Jingxi sold for at least several dozen silver wen, sometimes even more depending on the shop.

    How

    As the thought crossed her mind, she heard a few whispered conversations around her.

    ¡°My cousin lives in Cloud Mist City,¡± a young woman nearby said excitedly to her friend. ¡°She told me the perfumes from Heavenly Fragrances are amazing¡ªand they¡¯re really that cheap!¡±

    ¡°Yes! I visited Cloud Mist during their annual tournament last year and tried some of their perfumes. They¡¯re great. I¡¯m so glad they¡¯ve opened a store here!¡±

    That made Yan Ling hesitate, her earlier suspicions faltering. Could this really be the opportunity it seemed to be?

    As if sensing the crowd¡¯s uncertainty, the woman behind the table smiled again. ¡°If you¡¯re curious, we¡¯re offering free samples. You can try them right here.¡±

    Yan Ling¡¯s eyes widened, excitement flaring despite herself. Before she could second-guess her reaction, the words burst out of her mouth. ¡°Can I try?¡±

    The woman¡¯s eyes sparkled, mirroring Yan Lin¡¯s expression. ¡°Of course, young miss. You¡¯re free to.¡±

    Yan Ling stepped forward, her heart beating faster as she approached the table. One of the men behind the woman handed her a small wooden bottle, and she poured a few drops of perfume onto Yan Ling¡¯s palm.

    As soon as she raised her hand to her nose, the scent enveloped her¡ªa soft, luxurious blend of jasmine, sandalwood, and something light and floral she couldn¡¯t quite place. The fragrance was subtle yet intoxicating, elegant but not overpowering.

    Her eyes fluttered shut for a moment as she took it in.

    ¡°It¡¯s wonderful,¡± she murmured, opening her eyes to find the woman smiling at her.

    ¡°Thank you, young miss. If you hurry, you can be one of the first customers at our Jingxi City branch. It¡¯s just down the street, past the central square.¡±

    Yan Ling nodded absently, still distracted by the lingering scent on her skin. But before she could think of what to say next, the woman leaned in slightly.

    ¡°And there¡¯s more,¡± she said with a wink. ¡°If you bring two friends with you, you¡¯ll get a thirty percent discount on your purchase. Not only that, but you¡¯ll also have the chance to try out our newest collection of women¡¯s clothing. There are only a limited number of dresses available right now, and you could get your hands on them before they sell out.¡±

    Yan Ling blinked.

    ¡°Are they as affordable as the perfumes?¡± she asked.

    The woman chuckled. ¡°Yes, young miss. You won¡¯t find such designs anywhere else at these prices, I can promise you that.¡±

    Before Yan Ling could press for more details, several other people from the crowd surged forward, eager to try the perfumes for themselves. She was jostled slightly, and the woman turned her attention to the new customers, offering more samples with the same bright smile.

    Left standing at the edge of the crowd, Yan Ling¡¯s mind was spinning.

    Was this the opportunity she had been waiting for? Maybe the heavens had finally thrown her a lifeline.

    She debated for a moment, thinking of her options. It could be a scam¡ªor it could be exactly what she needed to make an impression at the upcoming banquet. And what did she have to lose by at least checking it out?

    Moreover, she needed that discount, and that meant she needed to bring two people with her.

    Without wasting another moment, she turned on her heel and quickly made her way through the streets¡ªnot toward the shop, but toward the homes of her friends. After all, she wasn¡¯t going to let an opportunity like this slip through her fingers.

    ***

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 Chapter 90: Paranoia

    Chen Ren knew there were certain things that could draw humans like moths to a flame, and among them, crowds stood at the top of the list. In both his previous life and this one, he had learned that nothing stirred curiosity more than the sight of people gathered together, craning their necks to see what the fuss was about. It didn¡¯t matter if someone was headed somewhere important¡ªif they passed by a crowd, they would slow down, even stop, just to take a peek.

    It was a truth that had served him well before, and today, it was paying off again. He had proven it during his very first noodle stall venture, where a few groups of customers enjoying his food had drawn more like flies to honey. This time, he was planting an entire network of groups.

    Tang Yuqiu had brought plenty of people with her to help launch their business here in Jingxi, and Chen Ren wasn¡¯t about to let those resources go to waste. He assigned them roles carefully, using the prettiest girls among them to set up enticing booths in key areas of the city, while the rest were sent to act as ¡°curious bystanders,¡± gathering around the booths to create the illusion of a buzz. All it took was a few whispered words about the new shop selling perfumes and clothes, a little playful chatter about limited stock, and¡ªmost importantly¡ªa special opening-day discount if customers brought their friends along.

    The results spoke for themselves. By midday, the trickle of curious onlookers had become a flood.

    Chen Ren stood at the top of the staircase inside the newly opened shop, his gaze sweeping across both the ground floor, where bottles of handmade perfumes were neatly organised and the first floor, where racks of elegant clothes were being admired and tried on by eager shoppers.

    It had been slow in the morning, but by afternoon, the shop was packed. Young women, middle-aged women, and even a few curious men wandered between displays, sampling scents and running their fingers over finely tailored fabrics. Too many different conversations filled the air to decipher who was sayingwho¡¯s telling what. But he noticed several delighted exclamations as some ladies found a perfume they loved or a dress that fit just right.

    During those times, Chen Ren allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. If he was being honest, this was far beyond what he had expected. They had already surpassed the first-day sales back in Cloud Mist City¡ªand they still had hours left before closing time.

    As a result of all of that, he felt his qi steadily building up inside him. Constantly , surging and filling him. His eyes took it all, moving across the crowded floors, observing everything. He didn¡¯t want to miss a single thing about the opening.

    Even if things seemed to be going smoothly on the surface, he wasn¡¯t the type to let his guard down. Now that he knew that they had powerful enemies, it was clear as day that opening day was as good a time as it gets to strike and make someone suffer; snuff it out before their mall could even spread its wings.

    Even the thought sent a light shudder through him.He wanted nothing more than for the opening to go drama-free.

    His thoughts were interrupted when he felt a presence.

    He looked to his side, seeing Yalan approach quietly and took a seat beside him on the staircase. Her ears were swiveled toward where all the noise was coming from, and when Chen Ren looked at her, he saw how her amber eyes were scanning the crowd, just like he was. But her pupils were dilated. Whiskers pushed forward and awaited some sort of trouble. He was used to this trance now¡ªshe was on alert.

    She was the only person, aside from Hong Yi, who had followed him to Jingxi. Hong Yi, however, had already returned to the sect after Chen Ren had inspected his puppets in action and assigned him the task of creating more. It was a mission Hong Yi had eagerly accepted, leaving Chen Ren with Yalan.

    Chen Ren asked through their mental connection,

    Yalan¡¯s lips barely moved as she responded telepathically.

    Chen Ren nodded slightly.

    Yalan grunted in his mind and meowed next to him.

    After a moment, Chen Ren¡¯s gaze flicked toward her, and he asked with a hint of dry amusement,

    She glanced at him.

    They had captured them for a reason, and he wasn¡¯t about to let them slip away anytime soon.

    Chen Ren hummed.

    Chen Ren nodded, his thoughts shifting back to the first thing he had done after arriving in Jingxi: putting Yalan to work as their scout.

    The cat wasn¡¯t the type to pour all her strength into helping him unless she thought he was on the verge of failing, but she was supportive enough to lend a hand¡ªespecially when it came to stealth. With her feline agility and nimble movements, slipping through alleyways and keeping out of sight came naturally to her. It hadn¡¯t taken long for Yalan to track down useful leads and scope out potential dangers.

    Unfortunately, their progress had been limited. They weren¡¯t able to get into the inner areas of any Union member estates. Those places had been locked down tight. The outer areas were easy enough to check, but the inner estates? All of them were warded with arrays. And even with her skills, snooping around would set off alarms. If someone tried to force their way in, they would break, alerting whoever¡¯s handling them. Basically, it was like walking into a wasp¡¯s nest. That was something they couldn¡¯t afford yet.

    she asked, looking towards him.

    Chen Ren replied.

    Chen Ren glanced at her, a dry smile playing on his face.

    He didn''t say anything to that, knowing Yalan was right. He had become paranoid, and there was no denying it. The constant waiting, the feeling of being on edge, always expecting something to go wrong¡ªit wasn¡¯t a pleasant way to live.

    And honestly, that was probably exactly what the Union wanted. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    If this was some kind of mental tactic, it was working, at least for now. But Chen Ren was also certain that whatever they had planned, they wouldn¡¯t wait much longer after seeing how successful the mall¡¯s opening day had turned out. He could practically feel the tension building, like a string pulled taut, ready to snap at any moment.

    Yalan said suddenly,

    Chen Ren glanced at her, as if asking ¡®what do you mean?¡¯.

    ¡°The she continued, stretching lazily but keeping her sharp, catlike gaze fixed on him.

    Chen Ren let out a low breath.

    Before he could finish, a loud voice cut through the hum of chatter below.

    Chen Ren¡¯s head snapped toward the sound, his body already tense as he stepped down the stairs a bit to get a better look. His eyes quickly locked onto the source of the commotion¡ªa man dressed in extremelyfine robes, standing near one of the counters on the first floor. He looked like the typical young master of some influential family, and he wasn¡¯t alone. A small group of lackeys stood behind him, nodding and murmuring in agreement as he argued with Ling¡¯er.

    The man¡¯s voice was loud enough to draw the attention of nearby customers, and Chen Ren felt his jaw tighten.

    Without wasting a second, he moved quickly down the stairs, moving through the crowd to intercept the situation before it escalated into something bigger. As he drew closer, he caught part of the conversation.

    ¡°You don¡¯t know who I am, do you?¡± the young master was saying. He rolled his eyes as if she¡¯d made the worst mistake; not knowing who he was. ¡°Yunji Lian! I belong to the Yunji Clan. My father won¡¯t be happy to hear that you¡¯re treating us unfairly.¡±

    Ling¡¯er, to her credit, didn¡¯t back down. She stood her ground while still maintaining a respectable trance, her hands clutched in front of her. ¡°Young Master, we¡¯re not being unfair,¡± she said evenly. ¡°We only give the discount if you¡¯ve brought more people with you, as per the rules.¡±

    Lian scoffed, gesturing dramatically at the small group of followers behind him. ¡°Don¡¯t you see? I did bring people with me! Are you blind?¡±

    ¡°No, young master. I see them,¡± the maid replied, nodding politely. ¡°But they need to actually buy something, too. They aren¡¯t purchasing anything right now, and because of that, they don¡¯t qualify for the discount. Nor do you.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes narrowed as he observed the exchange, his mind already racing. This disagreement wasn¡¯t just random, it had all the signs to cause huge trouble. Though he didn¡¯t know if the Union had a part to play in this, he wasn¡¯t about to stand and find out. For all he knew it could be some arrogant young master looking to flex his status and buy things cheap. But no, he couldn¡¯t let either of the reasons disrupt the opening.

    The drama was attracting too many eyes, and the longer it dragged on, the harder it would be to smooth things over. He stepped forward with a polite, disarming smile.

    ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Chen Ren, the owner here. Can I ask what¡¯s going on?¡± He looked at the man¡¯s brown eyes directly, maintaining a friendly demeanor.

    Lian put his hands in the air. ¡°Finally, someone important!¡± he said, puffing up his chest. ¡°You promised a discount, but you¡¯re not giving it! That¡¯s cheating!¡± His voice rose slightly, as though daring Chen Ren to argue.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t respond right away. Instead, he glanced at Ling¡¯er, who gave him a small shake of her head. He suppressed a sigh. He still couldn¡¯t tell yet if this was some minor ploy by the Union to stir up trouble or just the antics of a self-absorbed brat from a lesser clan.

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    Either way, he knew he had to deal with it quickly. Thankfully, by now, he¡¯d learned a thing or two about handling this particular brand of arrogance.

    Turning back to Lian, Chen Ren kept his tone light, as though he were explaining something simple to a child. ¡°Young Master Yunji Lian, it¡¯s not cheating. The discount applies only when the people you bring also make a purchase. It¡¯s not enough just to bring them along¡ªthey have to actually buy something, too.¡±

    The latter opened his mouth to retort, but Chen Ren smoothly cut him off before he could say anything.

    ¡°I get it¡¯s just a misunderstanding,¡± Chen Ren said. ¡°But I¡¯m also pretty sure that someone as wealthy and influential as Young Master Yunji Lian can easily afford to pay for his friends, too.¡± He smiled slightly, letting the words sink in. ¡°And, if I may say so, that kind of generosity would definitely earn you even more admiration from the ladies here.¡±

    At that, the young master blinked and glanced around, finally noticing the crowd that had gathered. Several young women, dressed in fine robes, were watching the scene with barely concealed amusement. Some were whispering to each other, while others openly stared, their eyes sparkling with curiosity.

    Chen Ren could practically see the shift in the young master¡¯s demeanor as he realized just how much attention he was getting. His outburst had turned him into the center of attention¡ªand not necessarily in a flattering way. But Chen Ren¡¯s words had given him an easy out, a chance to turn the situation around and save face.

    The young master¡¯s face immediately flushed, realizing that, in his anger, he¡¯d come across as stingy in front of several young women. His eyes darted around nervously, and Chen Ren noticed the moment recognition dawned¡ªhe must have spotted a few familiar faces, likely young ladies from clans as prominent as his own.

    Chen Ren knew exactly how much value these young masters placed on their reputations. Just reminding the guy of how much he was losing by continuing this outburst was enough to make him straighten up. The young master shot Chen Ren a sharp glare, his face still red with embarrassment, and forced a stiff smile. His hand wiped his hair thrice in a row.

    ¡°I understand,¡± he said through gritted teeth. ¡°It was a simple misunderstanding. I¡¯ll return later with money for my men.¡±

    Without waiting for a reply, he spun on his heel and bolted out of the store, his lackeys scrambling to follow.

    Chen Ren stood there for a moment, quietly watching the young master retreating back. He half-expected the brat to cause more trouble later, but for now, at least, the situation seemed under control.

    Yalan¡¯s voice broke his focus. she said with a dry chuckle.

    Hearing that, Chen Ren exhaled slowly, some of the tension leaving his shoulders.

    He looked back at where Yalan was and saw her giving him a pointed look.

    Even as he said it, he tried to steady his breathing. After a month of constant vigilance, waiting for the Union¡¯s next move, it felt like something could happen at any moment. That constant tension had kept him sharp¡ªbut it was also slowly wearing him down. If he stayed on edge like this, he¡¯d just end up deteriorating before the real fight began.

    Yalan, smug as always, gave him a knowing look before flicking her tail lazily and leaping to a nearby windowsill.

    Shaking his head, Chen Ren turned to Ling¡¯er. ¡°Take care of the mall for now. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±

    She nodded without hesitation, already turning to resume her duties.

    Chen Ren stepped outside, breathing in the crisp air as he strolled through the streets. With all the work that had piled up, he¡¯d barely had time to explore the city properly. Now seemed like a good time to fix that¡ªand maybe even do a bit of research for his next line of products. And hope that no problem would come up while he would be out.

    Though at this point, he was welcoming anything so he could put an end to the Union altogether.

    ***

    Anji woke abruptly to the distant sound of a rooster crowing. Her eyes snapped open, wide with alarm, as her hand instinctively reached for the blade that should¡¯ve been at her side. But her fingers grasped at nothing, meeting only the rough fabric of her blanket.

    She blinked, her heart hammering, until the cool morning breeze drifted in through the small window, brushing softly against her skin. Slowly, her pulse calmed, and her tense body began to relax as the reality of where she was set in.

    This wasn¡¯t an ambush. There was no battle. No danger lurking around the corner.

    She was in her room. In a quiet, peaceful village. Safe. Meadow Village. That was where she was.

    She took a deep breath and sat up, pushing back the thin blanket. As the last remnants of fear ebbed away, she glanced around the small room. It was humble, barely furnished, with a worn wooden chair in one corner and a shelf holding a few essentials. From what she¡¯d been told, it had once been a storage room, but Tang Xiulan had given it to her, knowing that she valued her privacy.

    It wasn¡¯t much. She¡¯d lived in larger rooms before¡ªfar larger¡ªbut it was better than sleeping on the streets, better than waking up to the cold stones of alleyways and the constant fear of being found. Here, she could breathe.

    Soon, her drowsiness began to fade. She stretched, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and mentally ticked off her tasks for the day.

    First, she¡¯d help with breakfast, even if her cooking wasn¡¯t the best. After that, there were the lessons. Since Tang Xiulan had discovered that she could read and write, she¡¯d asked her to teach some of the illiterate mortals in their sect. Anji had agreed, not just out of obligation, but because she¡¯d found that she enjoyed it. It was better than doing the endless, menial tasks that many others in the sect had been saddled with. Teaching gave her a purpose, even if it wasn¡¯t exactly the life she¡¯d imagined for herself.

    She sat there for a few more moments, watching the morning light stretch across the floorboards. Then, with a soft sigh, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up.

    As she reached for her shoes, she suddenly paused, frowning. There was something she¡¯d forgotten.

    She turned back to the bed and rummaged beneath the shelf, her fingers brushing against a small, smooth object. Pulling it out, she glanced down at the cylindrical tube in her hand.

    It was the latest creation that Sect Leader Chen had designed before he¡¯d left for the city. After finalizing a few prototypes, he¡¯d instructed Tang Xiulan to test them, and in turn, Xiulan had asked Anji to try one out.

    They¡¯d called it¡­ a lipstick.

    The tube felt rough against her skin as she examined it. It was sleek and surprisingly well made, even if made from wood. When she twisted the base, the top of the lipstick extended upward, revealing a vivid crimson stick with a faint sheen. She rubbed the tip with her finger and saw how beautifully the crimson stuck to her skin. But she knew this went goes on her lips.

    She tilted her head, leaning closer to the small, cracked mirror mounted on the wall. Slowly, she raised the lipstick to her lips and swiped it gently across them.

    The texture was smooth and creamy, spreading easily, and as it touched her lips, she tasted a faint hint of something sweet¡ªhoney, maybe, or a subtle floral note that lingered just enough to be pleasant without overwhelming.

    She pressed her lips together, savoring the strange but not unpleasant sensation. For a brief moment, her reflection caught her off guard.

    The vibrant red brought out the faint rosiness in her cheeks, making her face look softer, more alive. It was a small difference, but it felt¡­ nice. Almost as though it wasn¡¯t just her lips that had changed¡ªbut something inside her, too.

    Anji touched her lips lightly, feeling the subtle warmth the lipstick left behind, before setting the tube down carefully on the shelf. Then she straightened her back, smoothed

    out her tunic, and walked to the door.

    It wasn¡¯t bad. The texture on her lips reminded Anji of the fine powder she used to pat onto them in her teenage years, trying to keep them from drying and cracking during harsh winters. But this lipstick was far more convenient¡ªno mess, no crumbling, just a single smooth swipe that left a soft, protective layer.

    As she stared at the small tube in her shelf, her thoughts drifted, inevitably landing on the man who¡¯d thought of this.

    By now, Anji wasn¡¯t even surprised at the strange, innovative ideas that seemed to constantly spill from his mind. From the noodles that had made a good profit even in a place like Cloud Mist City to products like this, Chen Ren¡¯s thoughts always seemed to leap ahead of what anyone else was doing.

    And yet¡­ that felt natural, didn¡¯t it? After all, he¡¯d been chosen by the Golden Dragon.

    She had no idea what it truly meant. She hadn¡¯t been involved in that fateful event, just nearby when the dragon appeared, and Chen Ren had escaped with his life intact due to him even against a demonic cultivator. He never spoke about it, not to her or anyone else, but she didn¡¯t need an explanation to know that it marked him for something greater.

    Maybe that was why she¡¯d decided to stay close to him. Maybe, deep down, she hoped that by following him, by staying in his orbit, she¡¯d grow strong enough to keep a promise she was currently too powerless to fulfill.

    Or¡­ was that just an excuse?

    Anji frowned. Was that truly why she stayed? Or was it something else? A fear that she wouldn¡¯t be able to walk her own path?

    She hadn¡¯t wanted to admit it for a long time, but the truth was there, in the back of her mind, like a ghost. She was running. Running from the road she was meant to walk. Because it felt terrifying. Because every time she thought about taking that first step, she was overwhelmed by how distant her goal seemed.

    But wasn¡¯t she alive right now to walk that path? Wasn¡¯t that the reason she was still breathing, still moving forward despite everything? Why was she turning away from it?

    The questions hit her all at once, swirling around her mind, tightening her chest until¡ª

    ¡°Anji? Are you coming for breakfast?¡± Tang Xiulan¡¯s voice rang out.

    Anji blinked, her mind sluggish as it struggled to adjust from the deep, uncomfortable reflections to the mundane reality in front of her. After a pause, she cleared her throat and called back,

    ¡°Yes! Just a minute.¡±

    She glanced back at the lipstick on the shelf. Then, she took a long, slow sigh, as if exhaling the tangle of doubts threatening to choke her.

    Not now.

    For now, she would lock those thoughts away. She¡¯d shove them deep into the corners of her mind where they couldn¡¯t reach her, where she could feel that fragile peace she¡¯d finally found in this quiet, sleepy village.

    Squaring her shoulders, Anji smoothed her tunic, reached for the door, and stepped out into the light.

    ***

    A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too.

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 Chapter 91: Counterfeits

    Chen Ren hadn¡¯t expected it, but the opening day was simply the prelude to what was about to come. Due to their initiative in marketing, discounts, and the perfumes already being pretty cheap, word of mouth had spread pretty fast. There were now twice the amount of people entering their shop that were on the opening day.

    The public samples helped, but it wasn¡¯t just that. They had recognized some young girls from non-union clans and, in a bid to make sure the product reached as many as possible, gave them free items to advertise within their circles. By the next day, the store was swarming with an even bigger crowd.

    It wasn¡¯t just the perfumes that were flying off the shelves. Even the clothes were being snapped up faster than expected. He even witnessed a few women fighting for the last piece of a certain design, and that spoke volume to him.

    Yuqiu had to ramp up production, bringing in more sewing machines and doubling the workforce to meet the growing demand. It was the ideal scenario for Chen Ren, who realized he¡¯d underestimated the middle class in the city. The people of Jingxi were far more hale than he¡¯d initially thought. In this world, even a middle-class family, who had money to spare, often had more than two or three children. So, if one member of the family bought a perfume, it was only a matter of time before the others would follow suit, either out of curiosity or because of the absolute effectiveness of the product.

    On the other hand, this shift in momentum gave him a rush of qi and an unshakable confidence. Finally, he had the public¡¯s support, and he could feel it. It was time to take on the union. Yet, even after a week of the shop¡¯s opening, the union didn¡¯t seem to make a move. The Xueying Clan was still looking for their men, but at this point, even they knew they might not be able to find them.

    But other than that, it was quiet. Too quiet one might say.

    Maybe he had misjudged the union. Maybe instead of competing, they might want to collaborate, seeing the potential for mutual profits. That view wasn¡¯t unreasonable, because even on Earth, such situations had always existed, and more often than not, they led to lucrative partnerships. He knew that in order to succeed long-term in Jingxi, becoming a part of the union was going to be inevitable. There was no way they could dismantle the whole thing, not when it had its tendrils so deeply embedded in the city.

    In the end, all merchants simply wanted to make money. But as the days went by, his expectations proved to be wrong. On the eighth day of the mall opening, the calm was finally broken, and a problem cropped up.

    He was on the ground floor, contemplating an offensive lightning technique that he had found in Chen Ren¡¯s memories, one that he hadn¡¯t had the time to practice yet. He knew the basics and where to begin, but he simply hadn¡¯t had the proper time to practise and develop when the drama started.

    ¡°Hey! I need to talk to the owner!¡±

    An angry voice came from the entrance. Three women barged in the store and the one leading them yelled, making every head on the ground floor turn towards the entrance. For how loud she was, he knew even the second floor customers might¡¯ve heard the chaos.

    Chen Ren looked up from his trance and noticed the group of people. One look at their faces told him they weren¡¯t customers that came to hunt for good perfume or a dress.

    Apart from the three women, there were two middle-aged men that entered after them, all of them were sweaty and brimming with anger. The woman¡¯s upper lip curled into disdain as she looked around at the store before making a beeline for the counter.

    Her eyes narrowed down to where Chen Ren sat, right beside the counter. By his fine tunics, they could tell his worth. But he¡¯d been silent, studying their appearance.

    ¡°Are you the owner of this place?¡± she spat the last word as if it was the last thing she wanted to say.

    Chen Ren straightened up. ¡°Yes, how can I help you?¡±

    Before he could even finish his sentence, one of the men pushed a wooden container on the counter, the soft thud of the cylindrical box hitting the surface of it.

    Chen Ren thought while still maintaining a neutral expression on his face. Polite, yet unoffended.

    The man¡¯s face twisted in fury as he spat, ¡°I need a refund. You-you better check this piece of garbage! You sold colored water in the name of perfume to my wife.¡±

    The other man, clearly in agreement, chimed in. ¡°Same here. You sold fake perfume to my sister... and I''m here to demand a refund. You thought you could scam me out of my hard earned money. I will complain about you to the City Lord.¡±

    He moved forward and wiped his sweaty brows. The younger woman, who Chen Ren guessed was the sister, among the five nodded with a sniffle.

    Chen Ren blinked. There was no way they could have sold colored water. The perfume bottles were checked thoroughly before being put on the shelves, no exceptions. And colored water? They never created them. The colors of the perfumes were a result of the products infused in them.

    And to make things worse, there were more and more customers looking at them. He wasn¡¯t about to give them a spectacle. He took a deep breath, trying to keep his composure.

    ¡°How about we deal with this upstairs in my office?¡± Chen Ren offered, attempting to move the confrontation out of the public eye.

    ¡°No,¡± the lead man snapped. ¡°We will talk here. Do you want to just sweep this under the rug after selling us such a scammy product?¡±

    From the corner of his eye he saw Yuqiu, who had been upstairs handling the production, stepping down quickly, her eyes scanning the room, studying the men and women whose eyes were on Chen Ren.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± she asked, the noise probably bringing her down.

    ¡°These men are saying we sold them colored water instead of perfume,¡± Chen Ren replied, taking the eyes off of the men.

    Yuqiu walked closer. ¡°Let me see.¡± She took the container the man had pushed over and turned it around in her hand. The label, even Chen Ren noticed, was extremely similar to their packaging. And now, she confirmed so. ¡°This does look like the design of our container, with the brand mark of the Divine Coin Sect on it, but¡­¡± She opened the cap and inhaled. ¡°You¡¯re right, there¡¯s no fragrance in it. Coloured water loses it in a couple of hours. This isn''t our perfume.¡±

    Chen Ren felt a tightening in his chest. He had no idea what was going on, but this was the type of attack he¡¯d been waiting for. He had no doubt that the union was involved in this.

    He narrowed his eyes at the lead man. ¡°Where did you buy this?¡±

    The man, momentarily flustered, turned to his wife who stood beside him, clearly uncomfortable with the entire situation. She was the one to answer. ¡°From your men,¡± she said.

    ¡°But where exactly? Did you get it from our shop here?¡±

    ¡°No¡­ we got it from one of the stalls that were advertising the perfumes. They sold it to us.¡±

    The other two men nodded in agreement, and Chen Ren¡¯s heart dropped as everything clicked into place. The stall was likely one of the offshoots run by the union or someone working with them. This wasn¡¯t a misunderstanding. This was deliberate.

    ¡°Then I¡¯m sorry, but we didn¡¯t sell it.¡±

    That earned multiple gasps from the women that were watching the drama. But it clearly pissed off the five people who¡¯d walked in.

    ¡°What do you mean? We bought it from someone selling it with your shop''s name on it. How is that not your responsibility? Mind you, we will not let this go until we get our refund!¡±

    Chen Ren opened his mouth to explain, but before he could get another word out, the sounds of more commotion from outside rang through the open doorway. More angry shouts came from outside.  Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°Chen Ren! Come out! We demand our money back!¡±

    ¡°You better come out before we barge in!¡±

    ¡°Cheap businessmen! We won¡¯t let you continue your business here! Come out!¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes went to the door. From the shouts, it looked like there were at least a dozen people outside.

    ¡°Hold on,¡± Chen Ren said quietly.

    He exchanged a brief, tense look with Yuqiu, who had already gone pale. Without wasting another moment, they both moved quickly toward the door, ignoring the remaining angry customers inside for now. This was escalating way quicker than he thought.

    And as they stepped outside, the sight before them made his stomach twist. It was more than just a dozen people. Probably twice, shouting his name and waving perfume bottles in the air. The chants for refunds and demands for their money back rang out, almost deafening. He couldn¡¯t decipher and single-out any more sentences.

    His presence turned the roar into an uproar.

    The union had finally made its move, targeting his reputation and hitting them where it would hurt the most¡ªpublic perception. His heart sank, and he felt a headache start to form at the back of his skull.

    Yuqiu stood next to him, her face pale as the enormity of the situation dawned on her too.

    A few of their guards moved to contain the crowd, but they were vastly outnumbered. The guards flanked Yuqiu and Chen Ren, positioning themselves in protective stances, but even Chen Ren knew it was more of a formality than a real defense.

    The crowd was simply too large, and the situation was growing too volatile.

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t need protection. He stepped forward, trying to calm his mind. The union had taken its time, but now they had set in motion a scheme that would tear apart the goodwill he¡¯d worked so hard to build. They had carefully orchestrated this¡ªan attack on his reputation, one that was already doing its damage.

    He stood firm, facing the mob of angry customers.

    His fingers flexed at his sides, and he could feel his qi stir, but he knew better than to act rashly. For now, he needed to think, to strategize. He couldn''t afford to make the situation worse by responding in anger. The crowd was only growing, and their demands for a refund echoed through the streets, but he knew there was more to this than just a simple misunderstanding.

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    In a way, this¡­ made sense. In a psychotic, evil way. The union had used the same tactic he had used to market his products¡ªattracting attention through crowds¡ªbut this time, it was being used against him. The union had turned his own methods back on him, but with malicious intent.

    With a deep breath, he stepped forward, raising his hands in a gesture meant to command attention.

    "Everyone, I¡¯m Chen Ren," he said. "Please calm down, so I can deal with whatever problems you¡¯re having."

    The crowd stilled for a brief moment, but then a man from the mob shouted, his voice full of accusation, "You sold us fake perfumes! Give our money back!"

    Chen Ren turned to face him, unwavering. "Did you buy it from me?" he asked the same question as he asked before.

    The latter hesitated, glancing at the others before replying, "No¡­ but it was from your men."

    Chen Ren''s eyes narrowed. "How do you know that?"

    "It has the mark of your shop on it. You can¡¯t fool us!"

    The accusations hung in the air, the murmurs growing louder once again to a point where he couldn¡¯t hear his own thoughts. The angry men, in the middle of the day drawing more and more attention from the passerby, felt like a cruel joke.

    He closed his eyes for a moment, focusing his qi, letting the energy surge slightly through his body, infusing his voice with a subtle but commanding resonance.

    "Please," he said, his voice cutting through the noise with an authority that only a cultivator could wield. "Calm down."

    They all hushed, realising that he was a cultivator.

    Chen Ren took the opportunity to speak again. "I know you all have been fooled, but trust me, Heavenly Fragrances had nothing to do with it. Those are not our products. Someone has made them and sold them to all of you, scamming you. Although I¡¯m sorry for what happened, Heavenly Fragrances wasn¡¯t involved."

    There was a brief silence, the crowd still simmering with doubt. Finally, one woman stepped forward, her voice hesitant but filled with suspicion. "But they have your mark on their bottles¡­"

    It gave him an idea. He stood a little taller and nodded, acknowledging the concern. A sudden wave of confidence rushed over him as he knew just how to stop this chaos at once.

    Yes, they had the engravings, but Heavenly Fragrances had done much more than just engraving the Divine Coin Sect mark on the front. Chen Ren wanted to create something luxurious, and with Yuqiu''s help, he had done exactly that¡ªright down to the packaging.

    "Yes, but only in the outer engraving. It¡¯s a cheap imitation, not something we¡¯ve ever sold."

    He turned to one of the guards positioned near Yuqiu, the man¡¯s attention sharp as he stood ready. "Get me a bottle from inside," Chen Ren instructed.

    The guard nodded and moved swiftly into the store. Chen Ren kept his gaze on the crowd, letting the tension linger in the air, but with a sense of control now radiating from him.

    As he waited, he could already sense the growing anticipation of the crowd. Some were still whispering and throwing comments regardless of his words. But he stood ground, staring at them directly, showing them that he couldn¡¯t be manipulated into accepting responsibility that wasn¡¯t his to begin with.

    Fortunately, the guard returned soon, a bottle in hand.

    Chen Ren took it, holding it up for the crowd to see, his voice ringing clear and authoritative. "Although it has an outer carving of the sect mark, there''s one on the inside too."

    With a focused expression, Chen Ren used his strength to delicately peel away a thin layer of wood from the bottle, just enough to reveal the inner engraving. He held it up for everyone to see. The mark was crude¡ªobviously hastily made¡ªmuch less refined than the one on the outside, but it was there.

    "See?" he said, "We haven¡¯t just carved out the brand mark on the outside but inside too. This is how we do it. We ensure the mark is there, solid and clear."

    He turned to one of the men in the crowd. "Can you give me one of your bottles?"

    The man hesitated but then handed over one of the offending bottles, his grip tight with frustration. Chen Ren took it, and without hesitation, peeled it open in the same manner, spilling the coloured water on the ground and revealing the complete lack of a brand mark inside. The engraving was missing entirely.

    Chen Ren held it up for all to see, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Like you can see," he said. "These bottles are not from us. Someone has counterfeited them and is selling them in our name. I know you all are troubled, but this isn¡¯t our fault."

    The crowd stood in stunned silence for a moment. Slowly, expressions of realization began to settle on their faces, but there was no denying the dissatisfaction still bubbling underneath.

    A few murmurs rippled through the crowd before one woman stepped forward, her voice trembling with frustration.

    "But we spent a good amount of money on it. I used up my savings of months to buy this."

    Chen Ren¡¯s heart clenched as the woman¡¯s words sank in, and he could see others nodding in agreement. "I spent my entire monthly savings," another woman added, her voice barely more than a whisper. "I thought I was buying something worth it."

    The anger and regret in their voices were palpable. Chen Ren felt his chest tighten. This was a blow to his reputation, one he hadn¡¯t been prepared for. The stall where the counterfeit products had been sold¡ªwhere was it now? It probably wasn¡¯t there anymore or these people won''t have come here.

    But again, they¡¯d placed trust in a brand, in something they believed in, and it had been betrayed.

    He could already sense the rumblings of dissatisfaction spreading through the crowd, like a wildfire. Even if they walked away knowing that the issue wasn¡¯t directly tied to Heavenly Fragrances, the damage had been done. The trust they might have in the brand was shaken, and worse yet, if word of this got out, the gossip and rumors could tarnish everything he had worked for.

    He swallowed, taking a moment to collect his thoughts. A solution had to be found¡ªone that would satisfy the crowd and repair the damage to his reputation. The problem was that even if he hadn¡¯t been involved, they were still holding the bag.

    He didn¡¯t have time to waste. "I understand your frustration," he said. "I truly do. But please, listen to me. This is an issue of counterfeit goods, and we will work to ensure that whoever is behind this is held accountable." He paused, feeling the weight of their gazes. "However, I also understand the predicament you''re in. You¡¯ve spent your hard-earned money on these products, expecting quality. And I can''t ignore that."

    A few of the people in the crowd murmured in agreement, their eyes expectant.

    Chen Ren¡¯s gaze sharpened as a plan began to form in his mind. "Here¡¯s what I¡¯ll do," he said. "If you¡¯ve bought these bottles from the stall selling them under our name, bring them to us. We will offer you a full refund or exchange it for our actual products at no extra cost. You won¡¯t leave here empty-handed."

    What he was saying¡­ It wasn¡¯t an immediate fix, but it was something that would help ease the tension and rebuild the trust that had been fractured. Even grow it.

    "And," Chen Ren continued, feeling the pressure lift just a little, "We will personally investigate and make sure those responsible are found and held accountable. I will not let this tarnish the name of Heavenly Fragrances. You have my word. Now, I need you all to bring the bottles you¡¯ve purchased to us, and we¡¯ll handle this the right way."

    ¡°That¡¯s amazing! Thank you!¡± A woman said, her hands in the air as she broke into a wide grin.

    People mirrored her expression, and soon began to move inside. He felt a wave of relief wash over him¡ªat least for now, the situation was under control. But the gnawing sense that this was only the beginning of a larger battle didn¡¯t leave him.

    He exhaled slowly, his gaze shifting to Yuqiu as she walked up beside him, her expression tight with concern. ¡°This will take away from our profits,¡± she said with a sigh. ¡°A good chunk. We¡¯re giving it away for free.¡±

    Chen Ren¡¯s eyes hardened as he looked out at the crowd, who were now filing in, eager to get their hands on the real product. ¡°Reputation is far more important at this stage,¡± he said. ¡°We can''t afford to lose it. Not now, not when we¡¯ve just begun to build something good.¡±

    Yuqiu crossed her arms, her lips tight with frustration. ¡°But more people are going to come in with the fake perfumes sooner or later. What then? Are we just going to keep handing out free products?¡±

    Chen Ren gave a single nod. ¡°Yes, I understand. We can¡¯t keep giving them free perfume forever, and we won¡¯t. But right now, we need to prove that Heavenly Fragrances stand for integrity. We can¡¯t afford to let falsehoods spread. This will buy us some time, but we can¡¯t let them flood the market with counterfeits.¡±

    Yuqiu''s gaze softened slightly, but she still looked troubled. ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan then? You¡¯re going after the counterfeiters, right?¡±

    It was a good question. The moment he knew this was what the union had planned all along, he knew exactly what to do.

    ¡°Yes, going after the counterfeiters, but more than that¡­ I¡¯m going after the union itself.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°I was waiting for the perfume shop to stabilize before I started dismantling them,¡± he wiped the sweat that had formed in his own brows. ¡°But I don¡¯t think I can wait any longer. We can¡¯t let them continue to undermine everything we¡¯ve worked for. I will do the one thing that unions always have a hard time against¡ªinternal strife.¡±

    ***

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 Chapter 92: Give and take

    The initial crowd demanding compensation for counterfeit perfumes had been just the beginning. By mid-morning, the trickle turned into a flood. More and more furious customers kept arriving, slamming down cheap wooden bottles with deceptive labels and demanding their money back. To save face and protect their reputation, Chen Ren had no choice but to hand out replacements from their own stock. Even if they were the lowest-priced perfumes in the shop, the losses were piling up fast¡ªand he hated losses, especially when they came from someone else¡¯s scheme.

    He clenched his jaw as yet another disgruntled buyer left the store, satisfied only after walking away with a real bottle of their perfume. ¡°At this rate, we¡¯ll be handing out half our inventory before the sun sets,¡± he muttered to himself.

    This wasn¡¯t just bad business¡ª it was personal. Whoever had flooded the market with cheap knockoffs wasn¡¯t just after profit; they were trying to destroy his brand. And he wasn¡¯t going to let them get away with it.

    He¡¯d already asked Tang Boming to take his men and sweep the city; to find those counterfeiters and drag them to him. But by the time Boming¡¯s men reached the places¡ªthe ones the scammed customers had told him they had bought the perfume from¡ªthe counterfeiters were already gone. It was as if they had vanished overnight. No trace of the cheap perfumes, no sign of their operation. Chen Ren wasn¡¯t surprised.

    The Xueying Clan had already covered their tracks.

    Still, he wasn¡¯t na?ve enough to think they were done. If anything, they were probably preparing to pump out more counterfeits. This was just the opening move. Therefore he kept his men patrolling the city, scanning for any sign of new stalls or suppliers. He wasn¡¯t going to be caught off guard again.

    Meanwhile, Yuqiu wasn¡¯t sitting idle either. She had stormed off to the local bureaucracy, determined to pressure the officials into taking action. But Chen Ren already knew how that was going to go.

    The empire¡¯s bureaucrats were slow-moving at the best of times, and when it came to protecting merchants from knockoffs? They barely lifted a finger. Patent rights didn¡¯t even exist for most products in the empire. Copycats were everywhere¡ªhe¡¯d seen it firsthand with his noodle stall, where imitators had popped up recently.

    Sure, the officials might move against the counterfeiters eventually, since outright scams were technically illegal. But with a powerful clan like Xueying pulling the strings, the bureaucrats were more likely to just sit back and watch the chaos unfold rather than risk stepping in. Hence, he knew he had to do his own thing.

    Beyond managing day-to-day operations, he¡¯d been quietly gathering information. With Yalan¡¯s help, he had been asking around in inns and taverns, bribing servants and workers connected to the various union clans, and piecing together a map of alliances, rivalries, and hidden dealings.

    Now, he had everything he needed.

    It was time to put that information to use and go against Xueying Clan.

    After the day finally wound down and Heavenly Fragrances closed its doors, Chen Ren found himself seated on the second floor of the Rice Heaven Pagoda, the prestigious restaurant owned by one of the union members, Wenqing. It wasn¡¯t his first choice of where to be after a long day of compensating angry customers, but this meeting was needed.

    The second floor of the restaurant was eerily quiet, with only a handful of servants lingering in the corners, waiting silently while Chen Ren sat alone at a polished mahogany table. Getting here hasn''t been difficult. As a cultivator, access to the VIP floor was practically guaranteed. Flashing his sect mark had been enough to convince the manager to take him seriously, and when Chen Ren mentioned he was from Heavenly Fragrances and hinted at a lucrative business opportunity for their boss, the man had practically bolted off to summon her without a second thought.

    Now, he waited. Alone, but not idle. His fingers tapped a quiet rhythm against the table as he kept his senses sharp, stretching his awareness to feel the ebb and flow of qi in the restaurant. It was unlikely that anyone here would make a move against him, but he wasn¡¯t the kind to sit defenseless. Not after what had happened today.

    After about ten minutes, the sound of soft footsteps broke the silence. Chen Ren¡¯s eyes lifted just as Wenqing entered the room.

    She looked to be somewhere in her mid-fifties, though it was clear that old age was creeping up on her. The lines on her face were deep, and there was a faint weariness in her step that spoke of someone who had spent too long carrying heavy burdens. Still, there was a certain sharpness to her; how her black hair was dyed and combed back neatly, and how clean her attire was, and even the way she looked at him.

    Wenqing was flanked by two guards, both of whom moved with the restrained power of cultivators. Chen Ren didn¡¯t need to probe too deeply to sense their strength. Body forging realm. Solid, but nothing he couldn¡¯t handle.

    He rose to his feet as she approached, but he didn¡¯t bow his head. Instead, he offered a small, polite nod and spoke.

    ¡°It¡¯s nice to finally meet the owner of the Rice Heaven Pagoda. I¡¯ve been meaning to dine at one of your restaurants.¡±

    Wenqing¡¯s lips curved in a faint smile as she nodded at him. ¡°And you¡¯re going to dine with the owner herself. Not many get the honor.¡±

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t respond, his eyes sweeping the room. He noted the servants standing silently along the walls, their postures rigid, their eyes carefully lowered. Then, he glanced back at Wenqing and raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°Are we going to talk with them around?¡± He asked, looking at the people around. ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯d want business discussions slipping out.¡±

    Wenqing¡¯s smile didn¡¯t waver. ¡°They¡¯ll leave after serving the food.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Chen Ren inhaled and followed after her and sat. Within minutes, the servants returned, carrying trays filled with different types of dishes¡ªa platter of glazed duck with crispy skin, bowls of fragrant rice, stir-fried greens shimmering with oil, and small plates of steamed dumplings. A separate tray held a carafe of deep red wine, which one of the servants poured into crystal glasses.

    Once everything was set, the servants and even the guards left the room, closing the doors behind them.

    Wenqing swirled her glass of wine, watching the crimson liquid cling to the sides, before taking a small sip. When she set the glass down, her eyes were sharp, cutting straight to the point.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like beating around the bush,¡± she said. ¡°Especially because this isn¡¯t some courting meeting. What do you want, and what can you offer in exchange?¡±

    Chen Ren chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair. ¡°More than what I want, I¡¯m here to make a deal about what want.¡±

    Her expression hardened, lips thinned and she frowned. ¡°Don¡¯t play games with me. I don¡¯t like all that. Talk about what¡¯s pertinent to the meeting.¡±

    He shrugged lightly, picking up his chopsticks. ¡°It is pertinent to know what you want if we¡¯re going to have a real discussion here.¡±

    Wenqing¡¯s almond shaped eyes narrowed. ¡°And what do you think I want?¡±

    Chen Ren didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, he took a small bite of the glazed duck and then the rice, chewing slowly as if savoring the taste. After swallowing, he spoke casually.

    ¡°This food is good,¡± he said, ¡°but I don¡¯t sense any spiritual ingredients in it.¡±

    Her frown deepened. ¡°It¡¯s high-quality rice. The ducks are cooked with precision. Everything here is high quality.¡±

    Chen Ren shifted his attention solely to the bowl of rice, scooping up a small bite again. He chewed slowly, then nodded as if confirming something to himself. ¡°But it¡¯s not spiritual rice.¡±

    He set his chopsticks down.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been trying to break into luxury dining for a while now, haven¡¯t you? A place that caters exclusively to cultivators. Targeting rogue cultivators who roam the region and the wealthy merchants who¡¯d pay a fortune for even the smallest benefits from spiritual food. Your restaurants serve everyone in the city, but you want to expand, to attract the wealthiest clientele.¡±

    Wenqing¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but Chen Ren caught the slight tension in her shoulders.

    ¡°So what?¡± she asked.

    It was clear by her tensed shoulders that she¡¯d put up a cold front for him. Probably because she knew exactly who he was, and didn''t want to associate much with him since the head of the union she belonged to was against him. He couldn¡¯t blame her, but her coming here was enough for him to know that there was hope.

    ¡°So,¡± Chen Ren said, ¡°the Jinshi Trade Association stabbed you in the back. Even though they¡¯re part of the same merchant union, they¡¯ve taken the idea you¡¯ve been working on and gone behind your back to make it happen first. They¡¯ve secured a better deal with the White Bear Sect, offering higher prices in exchange for their supply of spirit rice. And now¡­¡± He paused for effect. ¡°Now, you can¡¯t find another source of it¡ªnot one that won¡¯t bleed your coffers dry.¡±

    Wenqing¡¯s jaw tightened, and for a moment, she said nothing.

    Chen Ren continued, his tone matter-of-fact. ¡°Spirit rice is a luxury product for a reason. It¡¯s only grown by sects, and only in qi-dense environments. Most sects cultivate it solely for their own disciples¡ªit strengthens their bodies, keeps them full for longer, and enhances recovery. Very few ever sell it, and even then, it¡¯s in tiny quantities at sky-high prices.¡±

    He leaned forward again, his voice dropping slightly. ¡°Finding a reliable source for spirit rice? That¡¯s nearly impossible¡­ unless you know where to look.¡±

    Wenqing¡¯s hand came on top of her other hand, knotting.

    ¡°Why are you telling me all this? I get that you¡¯ve done your research, but unless you actually have spirit rice, you¡¯re just reminding me of the sinking hole I¡¯m already in. And trust me,¡± she added dryly, ¡°there are plenty of people happy to remind me of that every day.¡±

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    Chen Ren smiled.

    Wenqing¡¯s displeased face deepened. If there was one bitter looking woman he¡¯d met in this life, it could be the one in front of him.

    ¡°What?¡± she asked.

    ¡°I do have spirit rice.¡±

    For a moment, she froze. Her mouth opened, then closed, as though she was struggling to form a coherent response. When she finally spoke, her voice was incredulous.

    ¡°Impossible. From what I know, yoir sect is too young, too¡­ raw¡­ to already have access to spirit rice.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right about my sect being young,¡± Chen Ren said with a casual shrug. ¡°But that doesn¡¯t really matter, does it? What matters is that I can get you the spirit rice.¡±

    Wenqing fell silent, her brows furrowing as she mulled over his words. After a long pause, she finally sighed. ¡°What¡¯s your price?¡±

    Chen Ren smiled inwardly.

    In any business deal, if the conversation reached the question of price, it meant the deal was already halfway done. And seeing by how defeated she looked, she was more than ready to give in.

    ¡°It¡¯ll take more than just coins.¡±

    Her eyes flashed up and her upper lip curled. ¡°If you¡¯re thinking I¡¯ll betray the union, forget it. I know they¡¯re trying to sabotage your growing business, but going against them outright would be disastrous for me. I¡¯m not strong enough to take them on. Find your way out if that¡¯s what you want.¡±

    ¡°I appreciate your honesty,¡± Chen Ren said smoothly. ¡°But you misunderstood. I¡¯m not asking you to take on the entire union.¡±

    ¡°Huh? What else¡­¡±

    ¡°I want you,¡± he continued, ¡°to go against the Xueying Clan, the Jinshi Trade Association, and Lotus Mist Fragrances. That¡¯s not the same as turning the whole union against you. It¡¯s more about weakening a few key members¡ªand maybe getting them into a little trouble.¡±

    She blinked, her frown deepening. ¡°I still don¡¯t get it. How do you expect me to do anything like that? Spirit rice is good¡ªI want it¡ªbut these businesses are strong, deeply rooted. You can¡¯t just take them out on a whim.¡±

    Chen Ren took another bite of rice, chewing thoughtfully before answering.

    ¡°I have plans,¡± he said, setting down his chopsticks. ¡°And we¡¯re not going after all three at once. We¡¯ll be focusing mainly on the Xueying Clan. Their current head, Xueying Shenmu, also happens to be the head of the entire merchant union. If we can get rid of him, the other two will lose their strongest supporter. They¡¯ll pull back on their own.¡±

    Wenqing studied him carefully. But Chen Ren could see the glint of interest in her eyes, the flicker of hope she was trying to suppress.

    She didn¡¯t respond right away. Instead, she started eating; eating with the grace and precision of someone accustomed to maintaining appearances, even in private. Every sip of wine, every bite of food, was slow.

    Chen Ren mirrored her pace, savoring his meal as though they weren¡¯t in the middle of discussing a plan that could shake up the entire merchant union. He relished the pause. The longer the silence stretched, the better it was for him. It meant she hadn¡¯t dismissed the idea outright. She was weighing it, calculating the risks and rewards, deciding whether siding with him and betraying the union head would be more profitable than kicking him out. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Chen Ren thought, his confidence unwavering. Merchants, after all, were naturally greedy. And what he was proposing wasn¡¯t just about revenge or power¡ªit was about profit. Serious profit. Enough to tip the scales in his favor.

    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Wenqing set down her wine glass and cleared her throat.

    ¡°This plan of yours,¡± she said slowly. ¡°How confident are you in it? And what¡¯s the basis for it?¡±

    ¡°Very confident,¡± he said. ¡°And it¡¯s very simple. The Xueying Clan is the biggest business clan in the city. They have their hands in almost every major trade and industry. It¡¯s obvious that if anyone tries to expand or get big, it¡¯s going to ruffle their feathers.¡±

    Wenqing¡¯s lips twitched, as though she were suppressing a smile.

    ¡°Union members might tolerate them because they¡¯re too strong to fight directly,¡± Chen Ren continued, ¡°but who said you have to fight alone? You band together, push them into a corner, and suddenly they¡¯re the ones scrambling to protect their assets. Especially if we play it smart.¡±

    Wenqing nodded slowly, her eyes narrowing in thought. Chen Ren could see the gears turning in her mind as she began to piece together the possibilities, stitching together the vague framework he¡¯d laid out for her. He had deliberately left her with just enough information to let her imagination fill in the blanks.

    He didn¡¯t know exactly how she would execute it. Tjat wasn¡¯t his job. But he could tell, from the glint in her eyes, that she was already considering ways to make it work.

    And more importantly, she knew that he knew it too.

    ¡°Let¡¯s discuss the spirit rice price first,¡± she said.

    ¡°Sure,¡± he said. ¡°But keep in mind that it won¡¯t be available for a few months. Once it is, though, I can supply you with more than just a few pounds.¡±

    Wenqing nodded, swirling the wine in her glass thoughtfully. ¡°Then, I¡¯ll pay three thousand silver wen per pound.¡±

    Chen Ren tilted his head, suppressing a smile. ¡°That¡¯s too low.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not,¡± she countered smoothly. ¡°Especially since I¡¯ll be helping you out with the union.¡±

    He smiled for real this time, thinking, A verbal confirmation, subtle as it was, meant she was already leaning in his favor. Now it was about hammering out the details.

    ¡°Still,¡± he said, ¡°this is a long-term partnership. I don¡¯t want to take a loss. And once the Xueying Clan is out of the way, the seat of the union head will be open. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re not eyeing it.¡±

    Wenqing grimaced, caught off guard, before quickly masking her reaction. ¡°Four thousand silver wen.¡±

    ¡°Eight thousand,¡± Chen Ren replied smoothly, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous,¡± she snapped. ¡°You¡¯re pricing it like it¡¯s spirit jade.¡±

    They volleyed back and forth, each offering slightly better terms while trying to squeeze the best deal out of the other. The tension heated, voices rose, and more than once Wenqing glared at him like she was ready to throw her wine glass across the table.

    But Chen Ren kept his cool, keeping pace with her relentless haggling until, after half an hour of heated negotiation, they finally found common ground.

    ¡°Five thousand silver wen per pound for the first year,¡± Chen Ren said, offering his final compromise. ¡°After that, we can revisit the price, depending on how well the market responds.¡±

    Wenqing drummed her fingers again, her lips pressed into a thin line. Then, after a brief pause, she leaned forward. ¡°Make it two years at that price, and we have a deal.¡±

    ¡°One and a half,¡± Chen Ren countered.

    She narrowed her eyes, considering. ¡°And you don¡¯t sell to anyone else in the city during that time.¡±

    Chen Ren grinned. ¡°Deal.¡±

    Wenqing sighed, leaning back in her chair as though a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. For a moment, she looked like she grew younger.

    ¡°I never thought someone as young as you would go toe-to-toe with me in negotiations,¡± she admitted, taking a long sip of her wine.

    Chen Ren chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m a cultivator. I might not be as young as I look.¡±

    ¡°Are you actually old, then?¡±

    He shook his head. ¡°No. Just reminding you.¡±

    She gave him a sharp look, then laughed softly. ¡°Fair enough.¡±

    Chen Ren set his chopsticks down for the hundredth time and prepared for the real discussion.

    ¡°Either way, now that we¡¯ve got that settled, why don¡¯t we get to the crux of the plan? It might take a bit of time.¡±

    Wenqing nodded. ¡°Sure.¡±

    And as the servants quietly cleared the table off the plates, leaving them alone once again, Chen Ren began outlining the plan that would set everything into motion.

    ***

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