Chapter 163: Xuanwu Sect
And just as Ji Changming and his party were determined to head to Qing Province, thousands of miles away from them, within the territory of a sect called Xuanwu Sect—
Mist lingered among the mountains as two figures slowly ascended the green stone steps.
The young man walking ahead wore a gray robe, his expression composed. The white-robed young man following behind appeared much more at ease, with a jade pendant hanging from his waist.
He looked more like a young master from a mortal family than a cultivator.
The two were naturally Han Yu and Jiang Che, who had come to request tea.
"Senior Brother Han, are we going up just like this?" Jiang Che asked.
Han Yu didn't turn back, his voice calm: "Of course, we're here to buy tea leaves, not to steal. We just need to openly state our request to the other party."
Even if we can't buy tea branches or seeds, buying some tea leaves to take back would be good too.
"That makes sense." Jiang Che nodded. What if they don't sell?
"Anything in this world that is an item must have its value." Han Yu said with confidence.
And in the entire Immortal Spirit Valley, if you were to speak of who had the most wealth, it would undoubtedly be him.
Back when he and Xiao Chen proposed using the Heaven-Controlling Gourd to ripen spiritual medicines, as the senior martial brother, Xiao Chen naturally never thought of taking advantage of his own junior martial brother.
Despite much reluctance, he still took a sixty percent share of the spiritual plant business in the entire Immortal Spirit City. The remaining forty percent was shared by Ji Lingxiu, Xiao Chen, and the Plant Spirit Tribe.
Over the past ten years, Immortal Spirit City has almost monopolized the spiritual medicine business in the entire Qing Province. Even in the neighboring You Province and Ling Province, they have gradually captured half the market.
There is no saying "rich enough to rival a country" in the cultivation world, but if one must say it, the phrase "rich enough to rival a sect" is absolutely not an exaggeration.
And this sect, at least one like Xuanwu Sect, a top-tier local sect.
As they spoke, the two had reached the mountain gate. The gatekeeping disciples saw their extraordinary demeanor and their unfathomable aura, so they quickly stepped forward to bow.
"Two seniors are..." they asked.
"Han Yu and Jiang Che of Immortal Spirit City, here specially to meet Sect Master Zhang." Jiang Che said with a cupped fist salute, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.
Three years ago, he had been involved in a major trouble concerning Xuanwu Sect here, and even saved their Great Elder. Although it was just a coincidence, strictly speaking, he could actually be considered a benefactor of Xuanwu Sect.
When the disciple heard the words "Immortal Spirit City," his expression immediately became more respectful: "So it's the seniors from Immortal Spirit City! Please wait a moment, this disciple will go and announce your arrival."
Seeing that the other party did not dare to neglect them, Han Yu and Jiang Che both felt proud. It seemed that the reputation of Immortal Spirit City had gradually spread over these years.
After a short while, an old man with fluttering white beard personally came out to greet them. It was none other than the Xuanwu Sect Master, Zhang Songwu.
He cupped his hands with a full smile: "Young Friend Jiang! It has been three years since we last met, your cultivation has become even more refined!"
Jiang Che returned the courtesy: "Sect Master Zhang is too polite. This is my senior martial brother, Han Yu."
Han Yu solemnly performed a courtesy, conveniently taking out a brocade box from his sleeve: "I have long heard that Xuanwu Sect is a top-tier sect in Ling Province, and that Sect Master Zhang is especially charitable."
"I have prepared a small gift, I hope you will not find it disrespectful."
As the box lid opened, twelve round pills lay quietly inside, with pill patterns flowing and spiritual energy pressing out.
Zhang Songwu's pupils slightly contracted. These pills were all spiritual pills greatly beneficial for breaking through from the Profound Mystery Realm to the Primal Origin Realm.
Although he couldn't use them, their quality was visibly apparent, and on the market, they would be worth at least a hundred top-grade spiritual stones! He moved aside to let them in: "Two young friends, please enter!"
Inside the main hall
After tea was served and pleasantries were exchanged, Han Yu came straight to the point: "Sect Master Zhang, we've come to purchase some 'Dongming Mist Sprout' tea."
Zhang Songwu's hand stroking his beard paused slightly, his smile somewhat forced: "Under normal circumstances, let alone tea leaves, I wouldn't mind gifting some tea branches. After all, our sect has always remembered Young Friend Jiang's kindness in saving our Great Elder three years ago..."
Jiang Che keenly sensed something amiss: "Is there some difficulty?"
The old sect master sighed heavily, setting his teacup down with a thud: "To be honest, three days ago the Zhao family sent people who forcibly purchased all our stock at thirty top-grade spiritual stones per liang."
"Thirty top-grade spiritual stones?!" Jiang Che nearly spat out his tea. "This tea is worth at least three thousand top-grade spiritual stones per liang on the market! This is outright robbery!"
Han Yu frowned slightly, his voice remaining calm: "Does the Zhao family always act so tyrannically?"
Zhang Songwu smiled bitterly: "In the past, not necessarily. Ling Province was originally balanced between the Zhao and Hong families. Our sects could play both sides and even gain some benefits."
He sighed: "Now that the Hong family's ancestor has suddenly fallen, the Zhao family no longer has any restraints..."
He lowered his voice: "How could we not know? They claim it's for the Zhao family ancestor's birthday celebration, but in reality, it's likely just Zhao family subordinates using the family's name to seize things by force."
"Yet we simply cannot afford to offend the Zhao family!"
Han Yu and Jiang Che exchanged glances.
Regarding the Hong family's situation, they were naturally well aware.
Recently, their junior martial sister Chen Xingcai had even been cultivating diligently every day because of this, leaving them astonished and remarking that she had changed her personality.
They hadn't expected this matter to affect their tea purchase this time.
Although they had anticipated some trouble when coming, they hadn't imagined that even a top-tier sect like Xuanwu Sect in Ling Province would be forced to cling to survival.
"Is there really not..." Han Yu pondered for a moment, "even half a liang of remaining stock? The price is negotiable."
The old sect master shook his head: "The storerooms have all been sealed." Then he suddenly remembered something, "However, you've come at an opportune time. There are only three years until the next tea harvest. When the new tea is ready, I will definitely reserve the finest for both of you."
Jiang Che leaned close to Han Yu's ear and whispered: "Three years? Senior brother, what should we do?"
Han Yu gently shook his head: "All these years, Master has treated us with genuine sincerity. It's rare for him to make even this small request. If we cannot fulfill this, we would be unworthy of being his disciples."
Jiang Che nodded. The two brothers reached an instant understanding.
Han Yu then frowned almost imperceptibly. Recalling something, he suddenly turned to Zhang Songwu: "Sect Master, you just mentioned... tea branches could also be gifted?"
Zhang Songwu: "…"
…
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