Chapter 471: Chapter 6: Joining the Commerce Association

Just stepping out of the Creation Tower, a message from Yuan Yishui arrived.

"Master Yuxiao came personally to pick him up?" Seeing the content of the message, Li Ji’an was slightly taken aback.

In this life, to avoid the war in the Celestial Cyan Domain, he had no choice but to use a move from his past life, fleeing to this place.

The original intention was merely to reach the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain smoothly and to have a trustworthy foothold to lie low and cultivate.

After all, after experiencing several lifetimes, he was no longer a reckless youth who dives into an unfamiliar place with fervor and enthusiasm.

However, since contacting Yuan Yishui, Li Ji’an sensed that his status in the Si Shui Commerce Association from his past life seemed to far exceed his expectations.

Later, seeing that his disciple Guo Wanzhi might not be able to escape, he casually stretched out a hand to help.

Not only did he not suffer any losses, but his previous life’s identity became even more mysterious to others.

The main factor was his great success in both the Alchemy Dao and Talisman Dao at the Second Tier, gaining recognition and importance from the Nine Tripods Commerce Association and the Si Shui Commerce Association respectively.

Later meeting with Wu Weixiong further fueled the speculation and imagination about his past life identity.

"Well, by riding the momentum, I’m more likely to achieve my goal of calmly concentrating on cultivation and hitting the Core Formation stage.

Otherwise, wanting to stay in the Si Shui Commerce Association for cultivation, or getting them to back my request for a Tier Three Upper Grade Spirit Vein Core Formation Dao Field, would probably require some give-and-take."

With his understanding of the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain, he actually came here prepared to sign a Spirit Contract with the commerce association and work as a Second Tier Lower Grade Talisman Master.

After all, the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain does not support freeloaders; it values money over people.

Yet now, it’s a bit unexpected.

After a slight hesitation, Li Ji’an accepted this outcome.

The three of them then returned to the Si Shui Commerce Association’s residence.

"Junior greets the president!" A few days ago, Yuan Yishui had already briefed Li Ji’an and the others about the titles and terminology to be aware of. In the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain, the level of cultivation isn’t particularly significant; comparatively, a commerce association’s president holds more authority and status.

"Are you the inheritance of the teacher?" Master Yuxiao strolled up to the three of them, focusing his gaze on Li Ji’an.

However, upon sensing the aura of his magical power and observing his face more closely, he imperceptibly frowned.

Yuan Yishui, standing by the side, slightly bared his teeth at this scene.

The Si Shui Commerce Association has a special tradition, especially for the presidents of the commerce associations, which requires proficiency.

It is the skill of Face Reading.

Somewhat similar to divination, but different in nature, it specializes only in face reading.

It can only judge a person’s character and future prospects through their facial features.

Moreover, it can overlook ordinary disguises and bone transformations, accurately assessing through affinity, eyes, and demeanor.

A few years ago in Celestial River Immortal City, the reason why she agreed to Li Ji’an’s request for prepaid spiritual materials at first sight, was because she deciphered Li Ji’an’s affinity at the time.

Although Li Ji’an was in disguise then, he couldn’t change the affinity unique to him.

"To report to the president, I am precisely that," Li Ji’an lifted his head and responded.

On Master Yuxiao’s keen and striking face, an undetectable look of disappointment appeared.

However, it was soon concealed by a professional smile.

"Well, not bad. The teacher’s legacy continues, which is delightful and congratulatory. Nephew Huang is also remarkably talented!"

"The president overpraises; I still have much to learn from the president." Li Ji’an responded politely.

Though it was a polite remark, combined with Huang Jie’s face and affinity—especially the results from her recent face reading skill—Master Yuxiao saw a different meaning.

She couldn’t help but wrinkle her brows: "Then you must learn well."

"..." Hearing the tone, Li Ji’an was slightly startled, a bit perplexed at the moment.

From what he remembered, Master Yuxiao was adept in social graces, and even on their first meeting in a previous life, she treated him kindly and politely.

In contrast, today, meeting her with the backing of his past life, she seemed rather unenthusiastic.

Although he knew his current appearance with the Faceless Mask as Huang Jie might have some effect, it shouldn’t be this significant!

Despite the confusion, he wasn’t overly concerned. Arriving at the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain, securing an identity within a commerce association for extended stays, and leveraging their connections to rent a Tier Three Upper Grade Spirit Vein Dao Field to achieve Core Formation was all he needed; everything else was inconsequential.

He even speculated whether Master Yuxiao might have encountered some issue causing her to lose mood control.

However, just as he finished reassuring himself,

He saw Master Yuxiao chatting warmly, arm in arm with Guo Wanzhi.

"As expected, Wanzhi is a high achiever under a famous teacher. There’s no need to be so formal as we clicked at first sight; if Wanzhi doesn’t mind, you may call me sister."

Moreover, when speaking with Yao Rui afterward, she showed genuine friendliness, clearly trying to forge closer ties.

"..." Li Ji’an paused with realization hitting him as the problem dawned upon him.

But Master Yuxiao operated swiftly, giving him no time to analyze further.

Especially since Master Yuxiao arrived with two Mid-stage Core Formation True Men as guardians, he did not dare to casually release his Divine Sense.

He wasn’t overly surprised by Master Yuxiao’s two guardians.

Such a setup is relatively common in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain.

After all, the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain philosophy is that as long as you have sufficient spiritual resources, you can even temporarily hire guardians at the Nascent Soul True Monarch level.

Subsequently, when Master Yuxiao introduced them to Guo Wanzhi and Yao Rui, Li Ji’an learned that these two guardian True Men were actually Immortal Seedlings fostered by the Si Shui Commerce Association. Cultivated from a young age, they carry the Great Heart Demon Oath.

All eighteen major commerce associations in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain have such methods, scouring the entire Great Marsh Cultivation Realm for Immortal Seedlings, vigorously nurturing them to protect for a time.