Though Jin Miaoshan's channels were useful in emergencies, they weren't enough—for Wang Yu or for Spiritridge's broader market.
For the city's healthy development, more commercial giants were needed. A monopoly by Goldfull Pavilion wasn't ideal.
"I understand," Qingyang said, nodding.
"Going to Moshan City might solve some of the material issues, but those people may not agree to accompany me. And the Inkveil Sect Master…"
"That's not a problem."
Wang Yu pulled out several boxes from his storage pouch—each containing high-grade Soul Origin Pills.
He'd used his perfected [Frostwyrm Alchemy Art] to test the formula. With a thousand sets of ingredients, he didn't need to refine them all into peak-grade pills.
After a few trial batches, he had over ten high-grade pills and twenty mid-grade ones. No low-grade or peak-grade—his alchemy level ensured consistent quality.
After four or five furnaces, he stopped. These pills were perfect for recruiting Core Formation cultivators.
Soul Origin Pills were rare and valuable—boosting spiritual sense even for Core cultivators. High-grade ones were worth a fortune.
He wasn't asking them to fight—just to accompany Qingyang. The goal was to show Tianbao Pavilion that Spiritridge had real purchasing power. Wang Yu alone couldn't carry the market.
Once Tianbao arrived, they could challenge Goldfull Pavilion head-on.
And what better way to seize market share than a price war?
He was doing Spiritridge a favor. They ought to build him a monument for revitalizing the city's economy!
Qingyang would deliver the pills as gifts. Even the Inkveil Sect Master might reconsider—he and Qingyang had years of friendship. After a falling out, reconciliation was better than enmity.
"These will be charged to my account. Deduct from my retainer resources."
"No need. This is for Spiritridge. Why deduct from your account? Besides… if we did, you wouldn't see a single spirit stone for ten years."
Qingyang: "...(o_0)!"
Wang Yu waved it off. He didn't mind the expense.
Back when he was poor, he counted every coin. Now that he was flush with wealth, he could afford to spend freely—especially when it served his goals and built goodwill.
After all, he was the one who benefited most.
Soul Origin Pills came easily. They didn't feel like wealth.
With Jin Miaoshan in seclusion, it was the perfect time to bring Tianbao Pavilion into play. He wouldn't delay.
After sending Qingyang off, Wang Yu returned to his cultivation.
He was immersed in insights from the [Minor Asura Slaughter Fist]. Though the placement panel was full, the slaughter training chamber accelerated his progress.
When he hit bottlenecks, he used the panel to grind through them.
This rhythm continued for two months—until mid-July of his 20th year as City Lord.
—
"City Lord Wang, it's an honor to finally meet you. You're quite the celebrity in Yunling Province. Tianbao Pavilion has long regretted not establishing a branch in Spiritridge."
Wang Yu smiled and gestured for the guest to sit.
"Well, you're here now. May I ask your name?"
"Han Jia, elder of Tianbao Pavilion's Yunling main branch."
Wang Yu was surprised. Local elders were one thing—but Yunling's main branch elders were at least late Core Formation.
Sending someone of Han Jia's caliber to open a branch in Spiritridge was overkill. Goldfull Pavilion's Manager Ye was only Foundation Establishment.
Han Jia's aura wasn't aged. He looked sharp and capable—a mature man with a strong presence. Far more charismatic than Ye Qing. He was accompanied by a young man and woman.
He introduced them:
"City Lord Wang, these are my children—Han Jinlong and Han Yinfeng."
Wang Yu chuckled. "Bold names. Impressive."
"Ha, when my wife gave birth to twins, we named them after gold and phoenix. Not as refined as City Lord Wang, of course."
Han Jia was gracious—but like many fathers, he couldn't resist teasing his children. The twins, who had arrived in high spirits, now looked sullen.
Not just toward Han Jia—but toward Wang Yu as well.
"Jinlong, Yinfeng—greet the City Lord."
"…"
Silence was their rebellion.
Wang Yu quickly smoothed things over. "No worries. Just getting acquainted. I've prepared a banquet in the inner hall—let's talk over food."
Han Jia was a late Core cultivator. Though Wang Yu was a City Lord, the cultivation gap was vast. Han Jia treating him as a peer was already generous.
Tianbao Pavilion was a dominant force—equal in status to the Blood Reversal Sect.
You have backing? So do I. I'm stronger than you. Respect is due.
So Wang Yu remained cordial. Even the twins' attitude didn't bother him.
They weren't disrespecting him—they were reacting to their father.
Sure enough—
At the banquet, Han Jia repeatedly praised Wang Yu and urged his children to learn from him. The twins were likely in their fifties—Foundation Establishment second layer, with dual spiritual roots. Talented, but not prodigies.
Wang Yu compared them to Goldfull Pavilion's heirs—and found Tianbao Pavilion far more professional. They truly lived by "harmony breeds wealth." By the end of the meal, nearly everything was agreed upon:
Land, taxes, auction schedules, policy support, market promotion…
Especially the auctions.
Tianbao Pavilion's Spiritridge branch would handle up to tier-three spiritual items. That level of auction would draw huge crowds and raise the city's profile.
More people meant a bigger market, higher spending, and more tax revenue.
The City Lord's industries covered every aspect of life—food, housing, medicine, combat, exploration. All tied to his enterprises.
His annual income would soar. Occasionally refining high-grade pills to stock the treasury would boost the city guard's average cultivation.
—
"By the way…"
As the banquet ended, Han Jia handed Wang Yu a ring embedded with a blue diamond-shaped gem.
"This is from Daoist Qingyang. The items listed on the scroll have been gathered."
Wang Yu was stunned.
"That fast?"
"Haha! Tianbao Pavilion is known for its inventory. Even the top talents of both domains prefer to shop with us."
—Impressive.
The difference between the two pavilions was clear.
"This ring is a high-grade spatial artifact—Oceanheart Ring. Its internal space is vast enough to hold all of Spiritridge. The rest of the items are inside. Feel free to check."
"Alright."
Wang Yu didn't hesitate. He began inspecting the contents on the spot.
He wasn't short on resources anymore. Most purchases were for future use. By the time his City Lord tenure ended, he'd have nearly everything needed for Core Formation.
That was the benefit of backing from the Blood Reversal Sect and Nascent Soul clans.
He was sitting comfortably.
The items weren't numerous—but their quality was exceptional.
Ten sets of [Ice Spirit Pill] ingredients—enough to risk pill backlash. Tier-three yin-type material: Ten-Thousand-Year Locust Bark Tier-three ice-type material: Ice Soul Stone Tier-three ice-type material: Snowmountain Heavy Iron Tier-three spiritual item: Treasure-Nurturing Ascension Liquid
Four items in total—plus the Oceanheart Ring itself. Wang Yu handed over all his savings.
5.56 million spirit stones.
He kept his 800 high-grade stones untouched—but otherwise, he was cleaned out.
The most expensive items were the ring and the Ascension Liquid. The latter could elevate a peak-tier-two artifact into a tier-three treasure—without a refiner.
Extremely rare in Crimson Kite Territory.
Only the [Sunfire Sect] in Lakeheart Domain had tier-four refiners who could produce it. Goldfull Pavilion didn't have it. Wang Yu bought it for his [Wailing Ghost Flute].
Crucially, after using the liquid, the artifact could still be refined again—unlocking its full potential.
Expensive—but worth it.
Han Jia was surprised by the full payment. He'd expected installments—Wang Yu hadn't been in Spiritridge long.
He hadn't expected such wealth. Didn't Wang Yu have to pay tribute?
Receiving the full amount, Han Jia said nothing. Instead, he handed over a white jade token engraved with "Tianbao."
"This is a Tianbao VIP Token—issued only for purchases over five million spirit stones. With it, City Lord Wang can access private trading rooms at any Tianbao Pavilion.
You'll also have a private booth and secret exit at any auction."
Wang Yu examined the token.
"Thank you."
Another contrast: Tianbao issued VIP tokens based on spending. Goldfull Pavilion based it on cultivation. His current token was a gift from Jin Miaoshan.
She'd said it granted Core cultivator privileges and a 5% discount.
Clearly, Tianbao valued business more.
—
After the meal, Han Jia departed.
He carried a building-type artifact from the pavilion. At the plot Wang Yu had assigned, he flattened the ground and activated the artifact—it deployed instantly.
Efficient.
The dragon-phoenix twins sulked all evening, which amused Wang Yu.
After personally seeing them off, he told Xu Ruozhou:
"I'll be in seclusion for a while. No visitors. No interruptions."
Xu nodded repeatedly.
—
Meanwhile, Han Jia and his two children arrived at the plot Wang Yu had assigned for Tianbao Pavilion's new branch.
They froze.
The site was spacious, well-leveled, and ready for activation—but directly adjacent to it stood the towering structure of Goldfull Pavilion.
The three exchanged glances.
"…This is deliberate," Han Jinlong muttered.
Han Yinfeng frowned. "He's provoking them."
Han Jia chuckled, eyes gleaming with appreciation.
"No. He's positioning us."
He stepped forward, surveying the land with a veteran merchant's eye.
"By placing us next to Goldfull Pavilion, he's forcing a direct comparison. Every customer who visits them will see us. Every auction, every trade, every price—side by side."
He turned to his children.
"This is how you build momentum. Not by hiding in the shadows—but by standing in the light and letting the market decide."
Han Jinlong and Han Yinfeng looked at each other, slowly nodding.
They understood now.
This wasn't just a business move—it was a declaration.
Spiritridge was open for competition.
And Wang Yu, the young City Lord, had just invited a titan to challenge the old guard.
Han Jia activated the building artifact. With a flash of light, the Tianbao Pavilion branch began to take shape—pillars rising, walls forming, banners unfurling.
Within hours, a new force stood beside the old.
The city's balance had shifted.
And somewhere deep within Spiritridge Manor, Wang Yu sat in silent cultivation—his spiritual sense immersed in the [Minor Asura Slaughter Fist], his mind already planning the next move.
(End of Chapter)