Bai Di City, the headquarters of Ju Bao Fang.
A flying fish message landed in the backyard, and soon after, a man in white, holding a letter, strode into the front hall. The front hall was filled with people from various businesses. Seated in the honored position was an elder with white hair and beard, Bai Chen, the Grand Master, the progenitor of human commerce. He was at the twelfth realm. Frowning, he asked, "What did that girl Qingqiu say?"
The man in white frowned, unfolded the letter, and said, "Qingqiu took people to Medicine King Valley this morning and has already agreed with Sun Tingxuan on the cooperation for the second batch of Zhenyuan Pills. However, when our Ju Bao Fang's spiritual boat was returning this afternoon, it was suddenly attacked by two martial artists – one at the eleventh realm, the other at the tenth. Two Nascent Souls and five Golden Core escorts were killed, and Qingqiu was also severely injured. Fortunately, she was rescued by Elder Sword Immortal Han Yun of Misty Lake. Otherwise, Master Qingqiu would surely have died. Now, under Elder Sword Immortal Han's escort, she has returned to the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool branch."
"Bastard!"
Grand Master Bai Chen slammed his palm onto the tea table, which instantly turned to dust. He stood up abruptly, frowning, "Our merchant families have always abided by etiquette and valued peace. Someone has actually set their sights on our Ju Bao Fang? In this Northern Region, who dares to make a move against our Ju Bao Fang? Immediately send people to the scene of the incident to investigate thoroughly. You must uncover the truth. If they dare to cross my path, Ju Bao Fang will not yield! Furthermore, dispatch an eleventh-realm sword cultivator to the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool to help Qingqiu manage the branch there. Qingqiu makes the decisions for business matters, and he will handle the fighting."
"Yes, Grand Master!"
All the merchants present had solemn expressions. It had been a long time since they had seen the Grand Master so furious.
…
Evening.
A figure appeared outside Medicine King Valley. It was a young Nascent Soul sword cultivator dressed in a dark green robe, a long sword slung across his back. He was quite handsome. Arriving at the mountain gate restriction of Medicine King Valley, he cupped his fists respectfully and said, "From the depths of the Northern Region mountains, Lin Zhujie, the closed-door disciple of Sect Master Qin Huang of the Green Bamboo Sect, requests an audience with the Patriarch of Medicine King Valley!"
He stood tall, gazing up at the few people on the city wall, his hands still clasped in a respectful gesture, his demeanor humble yet not servile. On the city wall, an elder in charge frowned, "Young Master Lin, we in Medicine King Valley do not seem to have heard of a sect called the Green Bamboo Sect in the Northern Region, have we? Nor are you recorded in the registers of the Great Shang Dynasty..."
"That is correct."
Lin Zhujie clasped his fists respectfully, "Sects in the deep mountains. The people of the Mountain and Sea Department are too lazy to go to such remote places, so naturally, they are not recorded. Moreover, my master's realm is merely at the Star River realm, and the entire sect has only a handful of people. Even if it were reported to the Mountain and Sea Department, they might not bother to record such a small sect in their registers. Please understand."
"Understood."
The elder in charge said, "May I ask, Young Master Lin, what is the purpose of your visit to our Patriarch?"
"To seek medicine."
Lin Zhujie said, "My master has been stuck in the Star River realm for too long and has less than two years of lifespan left. If he cannot break through, he will only have death to look forward to. Therefore, Lin Zhujie, on behalf of my master, pleads with Medicine King Valley to bestow four Zhenyuan Pills. Of course..."
He patted the black cloth bag behind him and smiled, "Lin Zhujie has brought a generous gift. I will certainly not disappoint the Valley Master."
"Understood. Guards, open the restriction and invite Young Master Lin into the valley!"
…
Night fell.
Lanterns were lit throughout Medicine King Valley, maintaining a prosperous scene of bustling lights. As Lin Zhujie entered the valley, he looked around with curiosity, finding everything novel. Although his dark green robe appeared new, his trousers were worn and tattered. It seemed his clothes were newly bought, while the cloth shoes he wore were patched all over, suggesting they had been worn for many years.
The elder in charge saw through it but said nothing. This Lin Zhujie was clearly a rustic bumpkin from the mountains, possessing only good talent, having reached the Nascent Soul realm at such a young age. Such people were blessed by heaven, though he himself might not realize it. A Nascent Soul sword cultivator could easily find employment as a guest elder in a prestigious sect or as a gatekeeper for a wealthy family, earning a fortune. He could even have multiple wives and concubines with ease. It was a pity that Lin Zhujie sat on a treasure mountain without knowing it. Despite his best efforts to dress himself up, anyone could tell at a glance that he was a poor boy. His ninth-realm Nascent Soul was purely built on talent and diligence; he likely didn't even have the money to refine his innate flying sword.
In the living room.
Sun Tingxuan and Su Zhe had just finished their dinner. Since Medicine King Valley began refining Zhenyuan Pills, their dinners had become extremely luxurious and abundant. Sun Tingxuan no longer had to worry about the sect's finances. In the future, Medicine King Valley had the potential to become the wealthiest sect in the land, even richer than those merchants. Enjoying some material comforts was not an issue.
"Let him in."
Sun Tingxuan sat in the Patriarch's seat. As he looked up, he saw the young, immature Nascent Soul sword cultivator walk in. He clasped his fists respectfully, "Lin Zhujie of the Green Bamboo Sect, greets the Patriarch!"
"Understood."
Sun Tingxuan forced a smile and said, "Young Master Lin, you are here to seek medicine this time as well?"
"Indeed!"
Lin Zhujie said solemnly, "My master's lifespan is nearing its end, and he has been bedridden recently. If he cannot break through soon, the consequences are unimaginable. Lin Zhujie was raised by my master since childhood, and he taught me swordsmanship and how to conduct myself. If I cannot do something for my master, my heart will be filled with guilt."
"I see..."
Sun Tingxuan showed a look of difficulty, "But Young Master Lin, these Zhenyuan Pills are in high demand. The hundreds of pills released in the first batch have already been reserved, and the subsequent batches are also booked by various merchant guilds. It is very difficult for us to extract any extra Zhenyuan Pills from the alchemy room. Unless Young Master is willing to pay a high price, I, Sun, am unable to assist."
Lin Zhujie gritted his teeth, "Patriarch, please listen to me. To save my master, Lin Zhujie is willing to pay any price. Moreover, Lin Zhujie has brought a generous gift this time. Please examine it first."
"Oh?"
Sun Tingxuan raised an eyebrow, "What has Young Master brought?"
Lin Zhujie clasped his fists respectfully, then carefully took down the black parcel from behind him and placed it on the ground. He opened it with great care, and immediately a dazzling radiance emerged. Inside the parcel was a crystal-clear, lustrous glass umbrella. The moment his gaze fell upon the glass umbrella, Sun Tingxuan's heart began to pound rapidly. It was absolutely a supreme treasure, a celestial-grade magic artifact!
"Young Master, where did you obtain this item?" Sun Tingxuan asked calmly with a smile.
"This..."
Lin Zhujie said, "One year, the back mountain was collapsed by a flood, and a cave was also smashed open. This umbrella, which is either jade or glass, was washed out by the flood. I found it afterwards. My master didn't know what it was, only saying that the spiritual energy was quite abundant and advised me to keep it. If I couldn't find a suitable flying sword to refine into my innate weapon in the future, then refining this treasured umbrella into my innate weapon would also be an option. Later, I obtained an opportunity and acquired a first-grade flying sword, so this treasured umbrella was left over. I don't know what it is, but it must be a treasure. I think it should be enough to exchange for four Zhenyuan Pills."
"I see..."
Sun Tingxuan hesitated slightly. A telepathic message came from Su Zhe's mind: "If nothing unexpected occurs, this should be the legendary, long-lost Glass Umbrella, a celestial-grade defensive artifact, priceless! Do you know what priceless means, Patriarch? Even ten thousand Jin Zi Qian might not be enough to buy such a supreme treasure!"
"Indeed."
Sun Tingxuan frowned, "Mr. Su's thoughts are exactly the same as mine. The probability of this treasured umbrella being the Glass Umbrella is very high. Its treasure aura is dense. Even if it's not the Glass Umbrella, it's definitely a treasured item from the immortals."
Su Zhe said, "The Glass Umbrella has been lost for many years and is one of the strongest defensive magic artifacts in the world. Trading four Zhenyuan Pills for a Glass Umbrella will surely be a good deal. However, I worry that this boy might not be able to keep his mouth shut and reveal this matter later. If the world knows that the Glass Umbrella is in our Medicine King Valley, it might bring unnecessary trouble to Medicine King Valley."
"What does Mr. mean?"
"We want the Glass Umbrella, and we also want his life. We can make him disappear from Medicine King Valley forever without anyone noticing. After all, he's just a Nascent Soul sword cultivator, and a wild cultivator from the mountains. Who would care if one less Nascent Soul wild cultivator disappears from this world?!"
"Good."
Sun Tingxuan smiled and said to Lin Zhujie, "Young Master Lin, for your filial piety in saving your master, Medicine King Valley will do this deal. It is late now, so Young Master can stay at Medicine King Valley for one night. Tomorrow, this batch of pills will be ready. I will prioritize selecting four Zhenyuan Pills with full spiritual energy and give them to Young Master. Young Master, please go and rest. We will have servants bring wine and food later."
"Good!"
Lin Zhujie's expression was excited. He clasped his fists, "Thank you, Patriarch! Thank you, Patriarch!"
"Put away the treasure and rest first."
"Yes!"
…
Late at night, outside a remote guest room in Medicine King Valley, Sun Tingxuan's figure descended. With one step, he entered an eleventh-realm small world. This way, no one would know how he killed this Nascent Soul sword cultivator. At the same time, Su Zhe, the Heavenly Origin martial artist with a scholarly aura, also entered the small world with him. The two of them looked at the guest room ahead and smiled.
"Young Master Lin?"
Su Zhe gently knocked on the door and smiled, "Su Zhe of Medicine King Valley has come to send Young Master on his way."
Saying that, Su Zhe pushed open the door.
"Huh?"
As his eyes fell upon the room, there was no one on the bed. Even the wine and food delivered in the evening were untouched on the table. Only the young Nascent Soul who called himself Lin Zhujie and his treasured Glass Umbrella were nowhere to be found in the room.
"What's going on?!"
Sun Tingxuan's eyes were filled with rage. "Where did he go? Weren't we keeping a close watch on him?"
"Yes!"
Su Zhe was also astonished. "With one Star River realm and three Nascent Soul cultivators watching outside, how did he get out!?"
…
At this moment, in the alchemy room of Medicine King Valley.
"Swish!"
A figure in dark green slowly separated from the dimness of the alchemy room, transforming into a handsome young sword cultivator. He narrowed his eyes and looked into the distance. Beside the alchemy furnace, a high-ranking alchemist from the Sun family of Medicine King Valley was refining pills while chanting incantations. In front of him, the pill recipe pasted on the outer wall of the alchemy furnace was clearly visible.
Instantly, the young sword cultivator narrowed his eyes, a smile appearing on his face.
The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Who is stealing whose things is not yet certain!