Shen Changchuan found it strange, but he knew there was no point in speculating.

Meeting him didn’t seem like it would cause any harm.

In the span of a breath, Shen Changchuan had already made his decision.

「The next day.」

The sun shone brightly. In a quiet courtyard, Shen Changchuan sat at a stone table.

Across from him sat a refined-looking young man in an azure robe.

The refined man was currently holding a pair of tongs, carefully rinsing the tea set with boiling water.

Wisps of steam swirled in the air, cascading like a light veil.

A faint, elegant tea fragrance drifted through the air.

’So pretentious.’

Shen Changchuan’s face remained impassive.

"May I ask why you wished to see me?"

He cut to the chase, not bothering with pleasantries.

"No need to rush, Brother Shen. How about a cup of tea first?"

The refined young man was in no hurry. He calmly poured a cup of tea for Shen Changchuan.

The tea’s aroma was almost tangible as it filled the air.

Shen Changchuan felt a little puzzled, but he picked up the teacup and took a gentle sip anyway.

In an instant, as the rich aroma of tea filled his mouth, Shen Changchuan felt his Heart Spirit clarify.

The Magical Power, which had surged and become difficult to control after he took the Cyan Essence Purifying Spirit Pill, now felt as if it were being tamed by some unseen force. The restless energy within it was subtly dispelled, and it became docile.

Shen Changchuan’s eyes lit up.

Without wasting a drop, he downed the entire cup in one go.

「A few breaths later.」

The faint aroma of tea still lingered in Shen Changchuan’s mouth, and he felt a sense of tranquility in his Heart Spirit and clarity in his spiritual sight.

His mind was now like the surface of a calm lake, utterly still.

’This is truly good stuff!’

A brilliant light shone in Shen Changchuan’s eyes; he was brimming with energy.

The First Layer of Cultivation he had gained from the Cyan Essence Purifying Spirit Pill’s surge had no lasting negative effects, but he would still have needed to spend a considerable amount of time back home polishing the surging Magical Power, purging its restless nature before he could fully assimilate it.

He never imagined that one cup of tea would solve that little problem for him.

This had saved him at least two months of effort!

Shen Changchuan subtly glanced out of the corner of his eye at the small teapot in front of the rather pretentious, refined young man.

’Unfortunately, there’s only this one cup.’

"Brother Shen, allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Si Houqing, the current Shopkeeper of the Sanhe Trading Company."

A faint smile touched Si Houqing’s lips as he finally introduced himself.

Shen Changchuan said nothing, simply watching him and waiting for what he had to say next.

Si Houqing paid it no mind and continued,

"I’ve heard that on your way here a few days ago, Brother Shen, you easily defeated your assailants. I was also told that a powerful enemy at the Qi Introduction Sixth Layer Peak was killed by your hand without the slightest chance to resist."

"You must have mastered at least two Perfection Techniques, Brother Shen, and your Cultivation Realm is higher than the Qi Introduction Fourth Layer, correct?"

"And what if I am?"

Shen Changchuan was noncommittal, his expression impassive.

’Before I came here, I’d already guessed the reason he wanted to see me was likely related to the strength I displayed when I killed those men in black on the road.’

’I’m sure he’s already investigated everything behind my back.’

Shen Changchuan had no intention of saying much until the man revealed his purpose.

"In that case, I would like to invite you, Brother Shen, to act as external support for my Sanhe Trade Team!"

Taking Shen Changchuan’s response as confirmation, Si Houqing’s mood lifted, and he said with a serious expression,

"External support?"

"Correct."

Afterwards, Si Houqing then began to explain.

The explanation was a long one.

A few days ago, when Shen Changchuan had gone to the Spirit Grain trading district in the Workshop, he had inquired at several shops. The purchase price for Spirit Grain offered by the clerks was the same everywhere; there was no difference from one shop to the next.

This was because these major trading companies all hailed from Qing City. Having traveled far and wide, the shopkeepers of the various trade teams were all acquainted with one another.

Therefore, when purchasing Spirit Grain on the road, they had a tacit agreement to prevent vicious price wars and internal conflict.

But it is, of course, impossible for merchants to always be on good terms, especially rivals in the same trade. Conflicts were bound to arise in the course of business.

To resolve these conflicts and avoid mutually destructive outcomes, these major merchants had reached an agreement many years ago.

When business disputes could not be resolved through negotiation, they would be settled by an arena match!

With other major merchants as witnesses, the two conflicting parties would each send a representative to fight.

The winner takes all.

The loser concedes.

The cultivation of the fighters is restricted to below the Qi Introduction Late Stage.

As for identity, the fighters could be members of the trade team or hired external support.

This agreement has been in place for over a hundred years.

It has become the accepted way of resolving conflicts among their trade teams.

Si Houqing had learned of Shen Changchuan’s existence by chance.

Afterward, upon learning of his almost unbelievably powerful strength from people like Guo Cheng and Patriarch Li, an idea had taken root in his mind.

Not long ago, he had gotten into a business conflict with another major merchant.

The conflict involved a rather significant deal.

He was now in need of a powerful individual to win the battle for him.

So, he had used Guo Cheng and the others to convey his desire for a meeting.

He wanted to ask Shen Changchuan to fight as the external support representing the Sanhe Chamber of Commerce this time.

"If I were to participate, what would be in it for me?"

Shen Changchuan’s initial instinct was to refuse.

But before the words left his mouth, he glanced at the empty teacup in his hand and the exquisite little teapot next to his host.

’This guy seems loaded. If the price is right, maybe we can negotiate.’

"Of course. If you can help me win this arena match, Brother Shen, I will reward you handsomely!"

As he spoke, Si Houqing flipped his palm, produced a Jade Bottle, and placed it on the table, pushing it toward Shen Changchuan.

"This is a deposit."

"Is this a Qi Introduction Pill? No! Both its Medicinal Power and Spiritual Power are far richer!"

Shen Changchuan didn’t stand on ceremony. He took the Jade Bottle, opened it, and inspected its contents carefully.

His gaze froze when he saw the elixir inside.

"Top Grade Qi Introduction Pills. A single one is worth eighty Spirit Stones, and its effects are several times stronger than an ordinary Qi Introduction Pill."

"According to alchemists, even a Cultivator at the Qi Introduction Seventh Layer can benefit from using a Top Grade Qi Introduction Pill to aid their Cultivation."

"For anyone below the Qi Introduction Late Stage, refining seven or eight of these is enough to advance a Cultivator from the Qi Introduction Sixth Layer Early Stage to the Sixth Layer Peak!"

Si Houqing explained.

"These three are your deposit. If you win, Brother Shen, I will give you another seven to complete the payment!"

"Of course, if you don’t need the elixirs, Brother Shen, you can also request something else of equivalent value..."

"I’ll take the job!"

Shen Changchuan didn’t let Si Houqing finish. He cut him off and put the Jade Bottle into his Storage Bag.

"This battle is very important to me. I hope you will give it your all, Brother Shen."

Si Houqing said solemnly, staring into Shen Changchuan’s eyes.

"Who’s my opponent? Are they that troublesome?"

Seeing Si Houqing’s serious demeanor, Shen Changchuan frowned.

"Two days ago, I received word that the person the other side is sending out is also from your Shen Family, with a cultivation at the Qi Introduction Sixth Layer Peak."

"If that’s the case, then you have nothing to worry about, Shopkeeper Si."

A confident smile touched Shen Changchuan’s lips.

’If my opponent is a member of the Shen Clan, then this will be no problem at all.’

Shen Changchuan wasn’t entirely sure of his own strength without a proper fight.

’But one thing is certain: unless a Cultivator above the Qi Introduction Seventh Layer makes a move, no one can hope to defeat me!’ 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

And based on his knowledge of the Shen Clan, he couldn’t recall anyone in the Shen Family who possessed the strength of the Qi Introduction Late Stage while only being in the Qi Introduction Middle Stage.

’Oh, wait, no,’

’that one ’dear’ brother of mine who supposedly ’committed suicide’ by stabbing himself in the back seven times was said to be quite strong. I heard back then that he was undefeated among his peers in Tian Nan City, and might have even been able to hold his own against a Cultivator at the Qi Introduction Seventh Layer.’

’But it’s a shame he’s long dead.’