’Wu Yuanzhi... what did he mean by that?’

Shen Changchuan was walking down the road,

his head lowered and face grim, completely devoid of the excitement and joy he should have felt after obtaining the Array Master’s legacy.

He couldn’t help but overthink things.

It was because the power struggles of this feudal era were simply too treacherous.

During his two and a half years at the Shen Family Mansion, he had personally experienced their cruelty.

It was completely different from the office politics of his previous life.

In an office squabble, the worst that could happen was mutual dislike.

At most, you’d just quit and leave.

But in this world,

a single misstep in the internal scheming of these great families could send you plummeting into an abyss, utterly crushed!

It was precisely because he had felt the cruelty of these familial struggles that Shen Changchuan had decisively run away, extricating himself from that massive vortex.

He was very clear about his own limitations.

Having lived in a modern civilization, he had absolutely no experience with the power struggles of great feudal families.

Even if running away meant fewer opportunities,

and that he would have to obtain all his Cultivation Resources on his own,

it was still far better than "committing suicide" by getting stabbed seven times in the back one day!

It was for this very reason

that when faced with the unusual enthusiasm of Patriarch Wu, Wu Yuanzhi, a man whose power and status far exceeded his own,

Shen Changchuan grew vigilant.

He quickly decided to keep a respectful distance.

When dealing with an old fox like him,

you couldn’t even think about forming connections or seeking mutual benefits.

Because you’d probably never even know when he’d sold you out!

’...Merely revealing the name of that item would be enough to attract the pursuit of several or more True Cultivators of the Soul Emergence Realm...’

Shen Changchuan carefully recalled every detail and every word of his conversation with Patriarch Wu, Wu Yuanzhi,

mulling it over in his mind.

’Is he talking about the Cyan Essence Purifying Spirit Pill?’

’Does that sentence mean he was warning me that leaking the news would bring about a terrifying pursuit?’

’He’s not wrong about that. The Cyan Essence Purifying Spirit Pill is no less valuable than a Soul Emergence Pill. For some major figures, a pill that can improve the aptitude of their descendants is even more precious than a Soul Emergence Pill!’

’Once the news is out, I’m afraid even using my so-called father’s name for protection won’t do much good.’

Shen Changchuan’s heart grew heavy.

He was well aware of this point, even without Wu Yuanzhi’s reminder.

That’s why after obtaining the Elixir, he had no intention of letting the news slip, planning to take this secret to his grave.

What puzzled Shen Changchuan, however,

was why Wu Yuanzhi hadn’t demanded such a precious Cyan Essence Purifying Spirit Pill from him. Why did he just let him walk away with it?

It was, after all, comparable in value to a Soul Emergence Pill, worth no less than a Cultivator at the Soul Emergence Level.

Yet the other party’s reaction was merely a verbal warning,

with no attempt to interrogate him or force him to hand over the Elixir.

’Strange.

That’s just too strange!’

’Could it be that the Wu Family is so wealthy that they’d look down on a mere Soul Emergence Pill?’

’Impossible!’

’Unless... it’s because the Cyan Essence Purifying Spirit Pill isn’t as valuable to them as one might think.’

’Or perhaps, the price of losing that one Elixir is far less severe than the potential consequences of pressuring me!’

Shen Changchuan vaguely felt he was onto something.

That great banner he had behind him was playing a significant role.

Although this body’s father, the Shen Clan Leader, had been like a stranger to the body’s original owner for the first half of his life—

—seeing him only occasionally during major festivals and never otherwise,

Shen Changchuan was certain of one thing.

If he didn’t have that particular identity, that hidden protective talisman, he would have likely vanished into some unknown corner long ago.

Forget the Wu Family acting personally; even if they just posted a bounty in the black market or hired some Tribulation Cultivators to come after him, it would be a crisis he’d find difficult to handle.

’In the end... I suppose I’m in your debt.’

Shen Changchuan sighed softly.

Towards this body’s father, whom he had never truly met,

his feelings grew more complex.

’Perhaps it’s precisely because they’re wary of that identity that they don’t dare to move against me so easily.’

’And the reason they didn’t force me to hand over the Elixir might be that they’re afraid if I lost such a precious item, I would tell others, leading to an even more terrible crisis for the Wu Family?’

’It seems the Wu Family is hiding a huge secret!’

In Shen Changchuan’s mind,

numerous thoughts flashed and disappeared.

’Ah, forget it. Why worry so much?’

’The gains from this trip have already far exceeded my initial plans.’

’Next, after I help Si Houqing with the arena battle and get the remaining seven Top Grade Qi Introduction Pills, I should head back as soon as possible.’

’I have a nagging sense of unease, as if something bad is about to happen.’

Shen Changchuan said to himself inwardly.

At the same time, he resolved to leave as soon as he had taken care of this one last thing.

With that, his figure quickly departed down the street.

...

「Three days passed in the blink of an eye.」

Within the Wu Family Collection, at the center of a sprawling complex of buildings, a massive open-air arena stage stood quietly on the ground.

Surrounding the stage were even taller spectator stands.

Si Houqing and the other leaders of the chamber of commerce delegation had already arrived.

The Shopkeeper from the rival Wanghu Commerce Association had also arrived.

The moment they saw each other, they began trading sharp, passive-aggressive barbs.

After a war of words,

in which neither side gave an inch or gained any advantage,

the leaders of the several guilds announced that, as per the long-standing tradition, the dispute would be settled with an arena battle.

"Oh? Fighting with his face concealed?"

"As expected of the kind of trash that flocks together. Birds of a feather, indeed! Hiding your face and skulking around like a sewer rat!"

Up on the high platform,

the middle-aged Shopkeeper of the Wanghu Commerce Association looked down at the figure representing the Sanhe Chamber of Commerce, shot a disdainful glance at Si Houqing, and spoke with mockery.

The one representing the Sanhe Trading Company at this moment

was, of course, Shen Changchuan.

However, he was currently wearing a bronze mask, a Conical Hat, and a long black robe, completely wrapped up from head to toe,

making it impossible to discern his identity or appearance.

"Isn’t that because a certain someone’s reputation as a sore loser is so bad that no one trusts him anymore?"

"My friend here comes from a humble background; he can’t afford to suffer the vengeful tantrum of a certain someone after a loss."

"Instead of blaming others, perhaps you should reflect on why, after all these years in business, even a complete stranger wouldn’t trust you."

"Have you even been managing your ancestral business seriously? Stop with the opportunistic schemes and ruining your reputation for petty profits, lest you try to steal a chicken only to lose the rice."

Si Houqing spoke unhurriedly,

his voice calm.

However,

his expression showed no hint of emotion.

But what no one knew was that, 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

in that moment, his heart was far from being as calm as it appeared.

He regretted it.