"Hahaha, now you see just how great an opportunity this is," Jin Fu remarked with a knowing smile. "Well, just ignore them. Let's proceed to the third floor. And if you truly wish to sell the position, consider selling it to me. I'll offer you one thousand extra gold coins above the highest bid."
With those words, a profound silence enveloped the first floor of the shop again, the patrons left speechless by Jin Fu's words.
The third floor of the Pavilion was much smaller than the first and second floors. There were no customers, but Xue San noticed at least a dozen guards stationed around, each with swords at their waists and faces hidden behind masks. It was impossible to discern their features, adding an air of mystery to the floor.
"This level is exclusively for our most valued VVIP customers. The products here are the finest quality," Jin Fu said, a proud smile lighting up his face.
"Mr. Jin Fu, I think this is too much," Xue San replied, feeling out of place. "A simple robe will do."
Jin Fu laughed heartily. "Nonsense! Consider this a personal gift in honor of your discovery of the Phoenix Fern. Now, tell me—what catches your eye?"
Xue San hesitated, glancing around. He saw many beautiful robes, but his attention was drawn to one in a warm, earthy yellow. He pointed. "That one, I think."
"Excellent choice." Jin Fu nodded, and suddenly, two masked women appeared at Xue San's side as if summoned from thin air. "Take his measurements, and ensure there's a robe in his size. If not, prepare one as quickly as possible," Jin Fu instructed.
"Yes, Master," they replied in unison. After a moment, one of the women confirmed, "There are two robes that will fit this young master."
"Good—prepare them both." Jin Fu then turned to Xue San. "Once we're done here, I'll take you to your family's new home. You can settle in, take a bath, and change into your new clothes. Afterward, we'll share one last meal, and I'll go over a few things before we proceed to the Long Clan Manor."
After a thirty-minute carriage ride, they arrived in the housing district. The homes looked similar, with only slight variations, but soon they came upon what would be Xue San's family home.
At the entrance, a small courtyard enclosed by a low stone wall welcomed them. The ground was paved with flat stones, and pots filled with bamboo, plum blossoms, and flowering shrubs added a serene charm.
The house itself opened into a modest living room with polished wooden floors. Paintings of natural landscapes adorned the walls, creating a sense of calm. Adjacent rooms contained simple beds, one for each family member, and at the rear was a separate kitchen equipped with a hearth, pots, pans, and hanging utensils. Xue San thought of his mother; she would undoubtedly love this kitchen. To his surprise, there was even a small bathhouse slightly apart from the main home for privacy, featuring a large stone basin for bathing. Xue San took in the peaceful simplicity of the place and felt a deep sense of contentment.
He turned to Jin Fu and bowed. "Thank you," he said. After excusing himself, he went to take a bath, refreshing himself after the long journey.
Once Jin Fu left, Xue San waited a moment, then took out a small leather pouch from his robe. He opened it to reveal only a few copper coins, yet he gazed at them as though they were priceless treasures. He placed the pouch in the leather bag, buried it discreetly in the garden, and smiled to himself before bathing and changing into his new robe.
Late that night, Jin Fu sat behind his desk in a dimly lit room, papers scattered haphazardly across the table. He nursed a cup of wine, his eyes scanning the documents intently. The candle flames flickered, casting wavering shadows on the walls. Without a sound, a masked figure in black robes appeared, silent and foreboding.
"So, what did he do after I left?" Jin Fu asked.
"Master, he waited and made sure you were truly gone, then took his belongings from a leather bag, transferred a few copper coins into it, and buried it in the garden."
"Hmm… what an amusing little fellow," Jin Fu said, while smiling slightly.
"Master, forgive my asking, but why so much attention on this boy?"
"It's unusual for you to question me, Shadow One," Jin Fu replied, his tone mild.
"I apologize, Master."
Jin Fu smiled. "It's fine. My interest lies in his peculiar connection to the Long family. That lass from the Long Clan accidentally encountered a wandering seer—something rare and strange. I thought it was a scam, but then she discovered the Phoenix Fern. So, I thought perhaps the boy had some hidden quality. Either way, having a good relationship with him can get us useful information from the Soaring Sword Sect side."
"I see."
"But to think he was so wary, hiding his few copper coins… funny, indeed," Jin Fu chuckled. "Ensure the area remains safe. I want no harm to come to him."
Jin Fu knew that some people might try to harm the boy to please Long Huo and get the promised reward instead. It was stupid if you really thought about it but some people were really just that stupid
"Yes, Master," the shadowy figure replied, vanishing as quickly as he had appeared, and the room returned to stillness.
The next day, Jin Fu arranged for a carriage to bring Xue San to one of the finest restaurants in the city, where a feast awaited.
"I didn't know what you'd like, so I ordered a bit of everything. Enjoy!" Jin Fu encouraged.
Xue San had never seen such a lavish spread and ate until he could eat no more.
"Listen closely, Xue San," Jin Fu said, leaning forward, "because of your humble background, life in the world of cultivators will not be easy. You'll face many who will try to break you. Cultivator clans—like the Long Clan—are formidable, and even they're nothing next to the great sects and the royal family."
Xue San nodded, absorbing each word.
"For instance, Young Lady Long Huo is a genius but, even she was only an inner sect disciple. Core disciples have stringent requirements—reaching Foundation Establishment by thirty, for example, is one of them. It won't be easy for her to be accepted, and that animosity might even extend to you.
Xue San's eyes widened as he took in the complexities of this world.
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The Long Clan manor, nestled deep within the heart of Dragon Fort City, stood as a testament to the grandeur of the clan. Stone pathways meandered through tranquil courtyards filled with ancient bonsai trees and serene koi ponds, where red lanterns cast a warm, inviting glow over murals depicting legendary ancestors. Training grounds echoed with the disciplined sounds of disciples honing their martial arts skills, while secluded pavilions offered sanctuaries for meditation and spiritual cultivation. At the manor's core stood the ancestral hall. The entire manor exuded an aura of wisdom and strength, reflecting the Long Clan's esteemed position within the cultivation world.
In one of the manor's pavilions sat the beautiful Long Huo, and before her stood an old man—her grandfather, Long Wei. His long blue hair, streaked with silver, flowed like a river of silk, bearing the signature hue of their lineage. His eyes, a piercing shade of blue, glowed faintly with profound cultivation energy, a testament to his immense power and wisdom. His face, stern yet dignified, with strong, chiseled features, hinted at a heritage both noble and formidable.
Long Wei wore a robe of deep indigo, intricately embroidered with majestic dragons soaring through clouds—a symbol of the clan's prestige. A silver belt, adorned with delicate phoenixes, encircled his waist. A magnificent sword hung by his side, its hilt wrapped in white silk, always at the ready.
"With this, you are practically a Core Disciple now, at the Qi Condensation stage no less. Other core disciples will try to suppress you, but with your talent and the full support of the clan, you'll catch up to them in no time," Long Wei said, his voice calm yet commanding. "Plus, since you were the one to secure the vital ingredient from the mission issued by Grandmaster Chu Feng, you can say you have earned his favor. So they won't dare overstep too much in their attempts to challenge you."
"I understand, Grandfather," Long Huo replied, a hint of hesitation in her tone. "You told me to say that the reward for the one who found Phoenix Fern would be an outer sect disciple position. At first, I wanted to just give some gold and be done with it but..."
"But what?" Long Wei asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Jin Fu intervened. He said it might harm our family's reputation and that if word reached the sect, it could work against me."
Long Wei frowned, his tone cold "Humph. He's not entirely wrong, but that Jin Fu makes me uneasy every time I see him," his gaze hardening. "I've long suspected he's not as simple as he appears. For someone of his wealth to have cultivators at his command is not uncommon but to have such powerful cultivators, is not normal at all, at least without a powerful background. Just a decade ago, he was a nameless merchant, yet now he commands influence and cultivators of considerable strength. It's all very... strange."
"So, Grandfather believes we should not bring this person to the sect?" she asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.
"No, we should fulfill our promise. It's just one spot for an outer sect disciple. Jin Fu's intervening on his behalf might suggest a scheme of some sort, or maybe I'm just overthinking. After all, in so many years, he hasn't harmed our clan in any way. You may go now. I've already contacted the sect—they'll arrive tomorrow to escort you."
"Yes, Grandfather." Long Huo rose, bowing deeply before taking her leave.
The following morning, Jin Fu arrived at the Long Clan manor with Xue San, who, after a night of rest, a warm bath, and new robes provided by Jin Fu, was almost unrecognizable.
Xue San now stood taller and stronger, his lean frame beginning to show signs of definition from years of hard labor. His once messy black hair was now longer, tied back to keep it out of his dark, intense eyes. The uneven cut had been replaced by a rugged look, fitting for a young man accustomed to the outdoors. His sun-bronzed skin was roughened by countless days under the sun, and his once-childish features had matured—a firm jawline, a straight nose, and thin lips set in a thoughtful line. The earthy yellow robe gave him a certain charm.
An attendant led them to a spacious garden centered around a large, circular stone platform. Jin Fu and Xue San were the first to arrive.
"Mr. Jin Fu, where are the others?" Xue San asked, glancing around.
"Don't worry, young friend Xue San. You are an outsider, so it's better to arrive before the others to make a good impression."
Soon, others began to gather. Within half an hour, a dozen people had arrived, most in their thirties, though a few younger people stood among them. Three of the men were disciples from the Long Clan—Long Shang, Long Xia, and Long Zhong—and beside them stood a young woman who immediately caught Xue San's eye.
She was beautiful, with blue hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of sapphire, each strand shimmering in the light. Her cerulean eyes, deep and sharp with resolve, held Xue San captive in silent admiration.
Her features were delicate, with high cheekbones and a soft, heart-shaped jawline that lent her an air of serene beauty. Dressed in midnight blue robes embroidered with silver waves, she seemed almost otherworldly, as if she'd emerged from the depths of a hidden ocean. A slender, silver-edged sword hung at her waist, its hilt inlaid with a single sapphire matching the shade of her eyes. Her name was Lan Shui, and for reasons Xue San couldn't quite grasp, his heart beat faster in her presence.
The three Long Clan disciples, by contrast, cast disdainful glances at him, as though his very presence tainted the air around them.
"I see everyone has arrived," a deep voice announced. Heads turned as Patriarch Long appeared, his presence commanding instant respect.
"Greetings, Patriarch Long," the group chorused, bowing with hands clasped. Though Xue San was a beat behind, he managed to bow in time, evidence of Jin Fu's careful tutoring.
"I hope you all cherish this opportunity the clan has provided," the Patriarch declared, his gaze briefly settling on Xue San and Lan Shui.
Then there was a rumbling sound above them, and Xue San's jaw nearly dropped, as a flying ship descended from the sky, approaching at a swift pace before slowing and settling gracefully onto the platform. Standing at the bow was a young man in his twenties, his silver eyes sparkling with a quiet intensity, his light smile barely concealing his pride.
"Junior Sister Long," the young man addressed Long Huo. "The moment Master heard you'd secured the ingredient he sought, he sent me to escort you back."
"Haha, Senior Brother, Grandmaster Chu Feng is too kind," Long Huo replied, a bright smile lighting up her face.
"Let's be on our way then. You know how Master is," the young man said.
"Of course. Lan Shui, you're in charge of the others. Let's go."
As they began to board, Jin Fu turned to Xue San, a rare hint of warmth in his eyes. "Well, young friend, good luck. I hope you find great success within the sect."
With a nod and a final deep breath, Xue San took his first steps toward fulfilling his dream of achieving immortality.