"Greetings, Patriarch Wu."

"Haha, Young Master Shen, you’ve arrived! Don’t be a stranger. Please, have a seat."

"I’ve been terribly busy with various matters lately and haven’t been able to properly receive you, Young Master Shen. Please forgive me."

As Shen Changchuan entered the main hall, guided by a Wu Family servant, Patriarch Wu Yuanzhi of the Wu Family received him with great enthusiasm.

But this level of enthusiasm...

...made Shen Changchuan a little uncomfortable. His heart grew slightly vigilant.

As the local powerhouse, before arriving, Shen Changchuan had naturally chatted with local figures like Patriarch Li and Guo Cheng to learn more about the Wu Clan that controlled the Wu Family Collection.

Although compared to the Tian Nan Shen Clan,

the Wu Clan was still far behind.

But within a radius of several hundred li, they were a first-rate, powerful clan.

It was said that the Wu Family had migrated here three hundred years ago from a prosperous region in the northern Immortal Cultivation Realm to escape the chaos of a great war between the Yuqing Sect and the Xiangshan Sect.

Here, they reclaimed Spirit Fields, managed their family, and spread their branches.

In over three hundred years, they had reclaimed more than a hundred mu of Spirit Fields and managed a Medicinal Field.

Rumor had it that at the core of their family’s Grand Array, there was a Spiritual Peach Forest.

Within it, a main peach tree would bloom every thirty years, bear fruit for thirty years, and have its fruit ripen over thirty years. The resulting Centennial Spiritual Peaches were quite effective in helping a Cultivator break through the bottleneck to the Soul Emergence Realm.

For the Wu Clan to control such rich resources, while also holding a cash cow like the Wu Family Collection and living so freely, it naturally meant they possessed considerable strength.

Sixty years ago, the Wu Family’s old ancestor broke through the bottleneck of the Qi Introduction Ninth Layer Peak and advanced to the Soul Emergence Realm.

This allowed the Wu Family, which had lacked a Soul Emergence expert for a century since the death of their founding patriarch, to rejoin the ranks of True Cultivation Clans.

Afterward, the Wu Family seemed to enter an era of burgeoning fortune.

Geniuses emerged one after another within the clan, including numerous figures at the Qi Introduction Ninth Layer Peak, and their prestige spread far and wide.

Take the current Patriarch Wu, Wu Yuanzhi, for example; he is a man of no small renown.

Within the Immortal Cultivation Realm in a thousand-li radius of Qing City, barring any Soul Emergence cultivators, he ranked among the top dozen or so at the Qi Introduction Realm.

He was also considered one of the Cultivators most likely to break through to the Soul Emergence Realm!

Furthermore, twenty years ago, news that Wu Tianhao, a prodigy of his generation from the Wu Family, had been accepted into the Yuqing Sect caused the entire Wu Family’s reputation to skyrocket.

They were showing signs of becoming one of the most prestigious clans within a thousand-li radius of Qing City.

The Yuqing Sect was an absolute behemoth!

Even the Tian Nan Shen Family,

was nothing more than a slightly larger grasshopper before it.

From all this, it was clear that the Wu Family’s lofty status was in no way comparable to his own as a mere Little Cultivator at the Qi Introduction Sixth Layer.

Now, with Patriarch Wu Yuanzhi putting on such a humble display, not only did Shen Changchuan not feel the slightest bit of pride, but he actually felt that something was wrong, something was unsettling.

But though a myriad of thoughts flashed through his mind, Shen Changchuan’s expression remained impassive as he continued to interact with him in a polite and proper manner.

After a round of pleasantries, seeing that they still hadn’t gotten to the point,

Shen Changchuan had no desire to delay any further and asked directly:

"I am but a humble, insignificant cultivator. I wonder, for what important matter has Patriarch Wu invited me here?"

"Ah, Young Master Shen, you’re mistaken."

"If the direct son of the Tian Nan Shen Clan’s Leader is a humble, insignificant cultivator, then who in this world could be considered high-status?"

"Patriarch Wu exaggerates. The Shen Clan Leader has more than fifty or sixty children. I come from a humble background; I doubt that esteemed man even remembers whether a person like me exists. I wouldn’t dare wave that banner."

Shen Changchuan’s vigilance instantly shot to its peak.

’Patriarch Wu investigated me?’

’I’m just a mere son of a concubine. What have I done to deserve such treatment from him?’

’The Wu Clan might not compare to the Tian Nan Shen Clan, but there’s absolutely no reason for them to curry favor with a mere collateral son of a concubine at the Qi Introduction Fourth Layer!’

’Could there be some hidden story behind all this?!’

In an instant,

a multitude of thoughts rose in Shen Changchuan’s mind.

However, his voice remained calm and even as he spoke.

"If Patriarch Wu has no other business, then I must be on my way, as I have important matters to attend to."

An influential clan like the Wu Family, with a three-hundred-year legacy, was not one to be trifled with!

Shen Changchuan was extremely wary and intended to keep a respectful distance.

Ignoring the somewhat stiff atmosphere, he prepared to take his leave directly.

Just as he had decisively chosen to leave Tian Nan City and flee to Dawan Village back then.

Shen Changchuan knew very well that when it came to power struggles and treacherous schemes, he was completely incapable of handling them.

The only way

was to stay far away, to escape this whirlpool of intrigue he was so ill-suited for.

"Wait!"

"Young Master Shen, why the rush? I invited you here today to express my gratitude for your kindness in rescuing a member of my Wu Family."

A glint flashed in Wu Yuanzhi’s eyes, and he quickly spoke to stop him.

"Oh? And what do you mean by that?"

Shen Changchuan paused slightly.

"Do you recall, Young Master Shen, saving an old man and a youth who were being pursued on the road a few days ago? They are important members of my Wu Family. Due to an unforeseen accident, they were ambushed by some audacious bandits. If not for you passing by, I’m afraid their bones would be bleaching in the wilderness by now."

Wu Yuanzhi stopped beating around the bush and laid it all out.

"At the time, the old man from our Wu Family was in a state of panic. He only asked for your name and origin before leaving in a hurry, without properly thanking you. I apologize for this discourtesy and thank you for lending a hand that day, Young Master Shen."

As he spoke, Patriarch Wu stood up and bowed to Shen Changchuan with his hands clasped.

Shen Changchuan quickly stood up as well, returning the gesture with a cupped fist salute.

"Patriarch Wu, you’re too kind. Those bandits attacked us without a second thought. I was merely acting in self-defense. I’m not worthy of such a grand gesture from you."

"There’s no need for such words. Regardless, Young Master Shen has shown a great kindness to our Wu Family members."

Wu Yuanzhi hesitated for a moment, as if weighing his words.

"For such a great kindness, my Wu Family is not one to forget its debts. We must repay Young Master Shen’s favor with a generous reward."

"I heard that Young Master Shen was searching for something in the Workshop a few days ago. Did you find what you were looking for? If not, our Wu Clan has some resources of its own. We might be able to help."

"Oh? In that case, I wonder if Patriarch Wu has access to the legacy of an Alchemist? I am quite interested in the Dao of Elixirs, but there’s no way to obtain such a legacy in the Workshop."

A glint appeared in Shen Changchuan’s eyes as thoughts raced through his mind.

He immediately made an exorbitant demand.

This was different from his dealings with Shopkeeper Si Houqing of the Sanhe Chamber of Commerce.

Si Houqing was a businessman, and in the future, once the Spirit Grain from Dawan Village was harvested, he would need to trade with him. Therefore, he had to build a good relationship, be polite, and not take too much advantage, lest he lose that connection.

But this Patriarch Wu, Wu Yuanzhi...

How should he put it?

He didn’t know the other party’s motive, but with a powerful clan like this, it was fine to be acquainted, but best to keep a good distance.

This was especially true when the other party was far stronger than him, and a single thought from them could bring him unpredictable risks.

So, Shen Changchuan decided he might as well use up this favor from saving them all at once.

This would also prevent too deep of a connection in the future.

"Er..."

Wu Yuanzhi was clearly taken aback.

After a moment, he said with some embarrassment:

"Young Master Shen, my Wu Family is just a minor clan, far from comparable to the Tian Nan Shen Clan. Something like an Alchemist’s legacy is not something a small family like ours is qualified to possess."

"If a minor clan like ours had such a legacy, we would have long since become famous for our Alchemy."

Seeing the thoughtful look on Shen Changchuan’s face,

and fearing he might ask for something equally impossible, like a Talisman Making Technique legacy,

Wu Yuanzhi quickly cut in:

"If Young Master Shen is interested in the Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation, my Wu Family does possess a Tier One Array Master legacy. It was by relying on this that my Wu Family was able to establish itself here back in the day. If you don’t mind, Young Master Shen, how about we offer this Array Master legacy as your reward?"

"That would be wonderful. In that case, I, Changchuan, thank you, Patriarch Wu."

Shen Changchuan’s face lit up with joy as he expressed his sincere gratitude.

In truth, he knew that an Alchemist’s legacy wasn’t so easy to obtain.

So he hadn’t held much hope from the start.

It was just a bargaining tactic.

Getting an Array Master legacy

was also excellent.

’At that time, I can see if the progress bar panel will display anything for these Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation.’

Before long,

Wu Yuanzhi had someone go to the family treasury and retrieve a Jade Slip.

However, as the servant was about to deliver the Jade Slip on the tray to Shen Changchuan,

he beckoned the servant over.

He then flipped his palm, took out a Bronze Jar from his Storage Bag, and placed it on the tray as well.

"This is an Ancient Treasure that one of my men bought from a stall in the Workshop not long ago. I am truly ashamed that I could not produce the Alchemist legacy you requested. Please accept this Ancient Treasure as an extra bit of compensation."

"If you activate it with Magical Power, it has a certain imprisoning ability. It’s a rather interesting Magical Artifact."

"Then I must thank you, Patriarch Wu."

Shen Changchuan said with sincere thanks.

’But this Bronze Jar... I feel like I’ve heard rumors about it in the Workshop?’

He didn’t pay it much mind.

After a brief inspection, he put both items into his Storage Bag.

"By the way, Young Master Shen, among those who were pursuing my family members, one of them stole a very important elixir from my Wu Family. I was wondering, did you find anything after you killed those people?"

Wu Yuanzhi’s voice suddenly rang out.

In that instant,

Shen Changchuan felt as if he’d been struck by lightning.

His heart felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand,

and his movements froze for a split second!

Just as he was wondering how to answer,

he heard Wu Yuanzhi continue:

"Ai, forget it. I suppose I was just deluding myself."

"After obtaining such a precious treasure, those bandits must have either stored it away or consumed it immediately. How could there be any chance of it being left behind?"

"It’s just a pity that my Wu Family paid such a high price, only for someone else to benefit for free. If I find out who was pulling the strings behind this, I’ll make sure they have nowhere to run, no matter where they hide!"

"Hmph! Nothing else needs to be said. When the time comes, simply revealing the name of that item would be enough to attract several True Cultivators of the Soul Emergence Realm. Then they’ll get a taste of what it’s like to be hunted by countless people!"

Wu Yuanzhi muttered to himself, his face full of indignation.

He then proceeded to curse the black-robed men who were already dead.

Shen Changchuan remained silent, suppressing his own thoughts. His mind was a complete mess.

He had a vague feeling that the other man’s words were not aimless.

It was more like a veiled warning about something.

"Enough, enough. When you get old, you tend to ramble. What’s gone is gone."

"My apologies. Since you have important matters to attend to, Young Master Shen, I won’t delay you any longer. Let me see you out."

A short while later, Wu Yuanzhi personally escorted Shen Changchuan to the gates of the Wu Mansion.

After some polite exchanges,

Shen Changchuan said his farewells and left.

Staring at his departing figure,

Wu Yuanzhi sighed faintly.

"What a pity. If it weren’t for his background, even if we couldn’t make him disappear and shut his mouth for good, we could at least make him spit out that Cyan Essence Purifying Spirit Pill!"

A voice laced with cold killing intent came from behind him.

At some unknown time,

a shadow with cold eyes had appeared behind Wu Yuanzhi.

"There’s no need for such useless talk. For now, let’s just focus on surviving this crisis..."

"Just keep an eye on that boy. What’s more important are those people who have ’popped up’ recently..."

Wu Yuanzhi waved his hand.

His gaze, fixed in the direction Shen Changchuan had left, was incredibly profound.