"We’re all on the same team here, so I’ll be straight with you..." Zhang Fan played with his black iron plate, his voice steady, "This treasure can’t be exposed, but it’d be a shame to just leave it be."

"You’re right. There aren’t many Dharma Seals from Dragon Tiger Mountain left nowadays, let alone the Mighty Spirit Demon-Suppressing Gold Seal, which is a Yellow Feather Treasure and should be passed on," Fang Changle nodded in agreement.

"You want me to use my connections through Maoshan to help you repair it?"

"Exactly," Zhang Fan nodded.

"I understand," Fang Changle studied the cracks on the Mighty Spirit Demon-Suppressing Gold Seal and after a moment of contemplation, said, "Leave it to me."

"How much might it cost?"

"It’s on me," Fang Changle said nonchalantly.

"We’re like brothers, let’s be clear about the money. Just give me a number," Zhang Fan waved his hand, not planning to let Fang Changle return the favor with money.

"It won’t exceed 1.5 million," Fang Changle roughly estimated, "but we’ll need to have a professional take a look to be sure."

"Alright, I’ll leave this seal with you for now."

"I’ll inform you within a couple of days."

Saying this, Fang Changle tucked the Mighty Spirit Demon-Suppressing Gold Seal into his pouch.

"Let’s head back to Yujing City."

Zhang Fan waved his hand, and the group boarded the Five Spirits Rainbow Light. The great thing about this vehicle was that it could fit any number of people.

...

Next day, Sui Chunsheng arranged for Zhang Fan to meet at the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance Headquarters.

"You have your own office now too."

As soon as Zhang Fan entered the office, Sui Chunsheng pulled out a document from the drawer.

"Stop teasing me. I have news about what you asked."

As he spoke, Sui Chunsheng pushed the document in front of Zhang Fan. He picked it up and saw that it was a list.

"All these are treasures capable of repairing the Primordial Spirit..."

"There are eleven types for restoring high level Primordial Spirits, and the three marked in red offer the best value for money, despite needing connections to purchase them outside."

Sui Chunsheng sipped from his thermos, gently blowing on the floating tea leaves before taking a small sip.

He was increasingly taking on the demeanor of a seasoned official.

"Nourishing Spirit Pill, 2.8 million..."

"This elixir is made by White Crane Temple, requiring 360 ingredients, including the Dragon Toad Oil you sold to us, with only a yearly quota of sixteen pills for Jiangnan Province," Sui Chunsheng said gravely.

For others, buying such an elixir would certainly exceed 3 million at market price.

But since Zhang Fan was considered an insider, he was offered the most favorable price.

"Is purchasing such an elixir identity-verified?" Zhang Fan asked, surprised to see an identity verification requirement besides the price for the Nourishing Spirit Pill.

"High-level Daoists are few across the nation. If someone like that gets heavily injured, it’s no small matter and hence requires oversight from White Crane Temple," Sui Chunsheng explained plainly.

It’s similar to wartime times past when something like aspirin was under state control, even more valuable than gold, inaccessible even if one had money.

"Indeed, White Crane Temple represents the highest authority in the Daoist world," Zhang Fan sighed.

"Ahem ahem..."

Hearing this, Sui Chunsheng couldn’t help but cough twice.

"I advise you to be careful with your words here."

"Forget it, I’ll pass on White Crane Temple’s products,"

Zhang Fan shook his head and turned his attention to the other two treasures for repairing the Primordial Spirit.

Dragon Spring Thunder Water originates from the throat of a mountain’s Dragon Vein, where the underground spring water has been struck by lightning over years to form something quite like Dragon Toad Oil, even more precious.

"The price for a portion is 2.3 million."

Futian Rice, rice grown from Spirit Seed Rice at Kongtong Mountain, is rarely available on the market.

"Kongtong Mountain..." Zhang Fan’s gaze focused slightly.

Kongtong Mountain is one of the Ten Great Daoist Mountains in the world, known for its mystery and low profile.

"Is this Futian Rice only 2.2 million?"

"Chairman Lou has connections with Kongtong Mountain. That’s how we’ve managed to get a batch," Sui Chunsheng said seriously.

This Futian Rice had just arrived, and there was only this one batch.

It is said that deep within Kongtong Mountain lies a Blessed Land. If an ordinary person were fortunate enough to find it, entering the Blessed Land would bestow fortunes as vast as the sea, ensuring a long and prosperous life upon return.

"Life blessed as the fields bring forth, with clouds and rain aiding the roots of Kongtong," Sui Chunsheng said gravely.

"That Blessed Land is indeed a treasure of Kongtong Mountain, the things that grow there are extraordinary..."

"However, blessings and calamities go hand in hand. An ordinary person cannot easily endure its benefits without disaster; you must think it through," Sui Chunsheng warned.

Zhang Fan remained silent, now faced with two choices.

Dragon Spring Thunder Water’s potency was probably too strong for Lin Jianyue’s Primordial Spirit to withstand.

Futian Rice had mild effects, but might have future repercussions. A blessing today might turn into Lin Jianyue’s tribulation tomorrow.

"Tribulations are like the Elixir of Immortality—what I’m doing is helping her cultivation,"

Zhang Fan made his decision direct.

"Let’s go with this batch of Futian Rice, deduct the money directly from my account."

The money from selling Dragon Toad Oil hadn’t yet been deposited into his account.

"Alright then, I’ll personally deliver the treasure to you by tomorrow evening at the latest."

Sui Chunsheng’s efficiency was impressive, and Futian Rice like this, following market prices, would definitely be at least 2.5 million if auctioned.

"Alright, I trust you with this,"

Zhang Fan nodded. With this Futian Rice, Lin Jianyue’s Primordial Spirit should soon awaken, and by then, Zhao Jie Xuan’s whereabouts might be revealed.

"Stay busy, I’m heading out," Zhang Fan rose to leave.

Returning to Yujing City, everything went smoothly: Fang Changle successfully ascended to the Mahayana Realm, Zhang Fan sold Dragon Toad Oil, repaired the Mighty Spirit Demon-Suppressing Gold Seal, and now purchased Futian Rice, so Lin Jianyue’s injuries were on the mend.

No doubt, Yujing City was truly Zhang Fan’s Blessed Land.

"Stay for lunch," Sui Chunsheng suggested.

"No need, I’ve got plans," Zhang Fan waved his hand.

"No need to see me out, Director Sui, keep busy."

"There you go again, teasing. Well, I won’t see you off then,"

Sui Chunsheng grinned widely, nearly from ear to ear.

...

Zhang Fan left the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance Headquarters, turned a corner, and arrived at the Invisible Mountain Cafe, a place he was becoming quite the regular at.

Upon entering, he spotted Li Yishan seated in a corner.

Last night, as soon as he arrived home, he received a call from Li Yishan, asking to meet for lunch the next day.

"Why so tense?"

Getting closer, Zhang Fan noticed that Li Yishan seemed on edge, cautiously observing his surroundings with an unnatural look.

"Tense? Not at all."

Recognizing Zhang Fan, Li Yishan seemed to relax a bit.

"Have a seat."

"Aren’t you busy with blind dates lately? How do you have time to invite me out for a meal?" Zhang Fan asked.

"Don’t even mention it. Just thinking about blind dates gives me a headache..."

"Where do these girls come from? Got a picture? Let me vet them for you," Zhang Fan grinned curiously.

Li Yishan gave Zhang Fan a glaring stare at his gloating face: "Yun Ma introduced her, I have no idea what her story is, all I know is she’s a woman..."

"No pictures, you’ll see for yourself in a bit."

"See for myself? What do you mean?" Zhang Fan was taken aback.

"She’ll be here soon; it’ll satisfy your curiosity," Li Yishan said coolly.

"Wait, you asked me to tag along to a blind date? Am I your decoy?" Zhang Fan’s expression turned peculiar.

"Being brothers means having the spirit of one," Li Yishan’s demeanor became calm and confident.

"She’s here."

At that moment, Li Yishan raised an eyebrow and announced suddenly.

Zhang Fan instinctively turned to look and saw a tall woman enter. With a high ponytail, wearing Martin boots and a white blouse, she looked very capable.

Yet with just one glance, he was stunned.

This woman was none other than the mysterious expert who attacked Fang Changle the night before.

"Let me introduce my good friend, Zhang Fan,"

While in a state of shock, the woman in white had already approached, and Li Yishan stood up to make the introduction.

"This is..."

"Hello!"

At that moment, the woman in white looked at Zhang Fan with a slight, knowing smile and extended her hand graciously. "

"Nice to meet you, my name is Li Miaoyin!!"