Chapter 260 Transaction

Shen Wen swept his gaze over them.

The several elders at the forefront were all at the Douzong Peak.

The captain of the guards was a Two-Star Douzong.

This kind of display, while presented as a welcome, was essentially a show of force.

Cao Ying disembarked from the flying boat first.

She was dressed formally today, wearing a deep purple gown, her hair styled in a high bun that revealed her slender, fair neck.

Several elders immediately stepped forward to greet her, their attitude respectful:

"Young Miss."

Cao Ying gave a slight nod and stepped aside to reveal Shen Wen, who was descending slowly behind her.

"This is the Young Master, Grandmaster Shen Wen."

Her voice was steady, yet her tone carried a natural intimacy and protectiveness.

All eyes instantly focused on Shen Wen.

Black robe, jade crown, the Grade 8 Alchemist badge on his chest shimmered with a dark golden luster under the sunlight.

His face was young, yet his bearing was calm and composed, showing no trace of awkwardness or arrogance.

The several elders exchanged glances and bowed in unison:

"We greet Grandmaster Shen."

Shen Wen raised his hand slightly in acknowledgment.

"There's no need for such formalities."

His voice was flat, neither deliberately softened nor haughty.

The elders nodded inwardly.

This level of composure was not something that could be faked.

The group passed through the city gate and proceeded towards the inner city.

Shen Wen walked half a step behind Cao Ying, his gaze discreetly sweeping over the surroundings.

The main street, paved with bluestone, was broad and smooth. Shops lined both sides, mostly dealing with medicinal herbs, Medicinal Pills, and Artifact Refining supplies. The flow of people was constant, with many Dou Wangs and Dou Huangs among them.

From deeper within, he could sense several obscure yet profound auras—those were the Cao Family's Dou Zuns.

Shen Wen did not probe carefully, merely letting his senses brush past.

But it was enough.

The Cao Family had at least five Dou Zuns on the surface.

This didn't even include those Old Ancestor-level figures in seclusion.

He withdrew his gaze, his expression unchanged.

Cao Ying glanced at him sideways and lowered her voice, "See anything?"

Shen Wen replied equally softly, "A lot of people."

A faint smile touched the corner of Cao Ying's lips, and she said no more.

Deep within the inner city, an ancient hall was nestled amidst lush greenery.

The hall doors were open, a faint, warm scent of Medicinal Pills wafting from within.

The elder leading the way stopped outside the hall doors, bowed, and said:

"Young Miss, Young Master, the Old Family Head awaits inside."

Cao Ying nodded and pushed the door open to enter.

Shen Wen followed her into the hall.

The hall's furnishings were extremely simple.

A large blackwood desk, several bookshelves crammed with scrolls, and a faintly fragrant spirit sandalwood incense burner in the corner.

Behind the desk sat a gray-robed elder.

The elder was thin, with silver hair and beard, and a lean face. He was looking down, reading a Pill Formula, and raised his head upon hearing the sound.

It was Cao Tianxiong.

Shen Wen's gaze settled on him, focusing slightly.

Not because the other's aura was profound—quite the opposite.

The Dou Qi fluctuations around Cao Tianxiong were stable, but far from powerful.

Given his age and the Cao Family's resources, this level of cultivation could only be considered ordinary.

Two-Star Dou Zun.

And the smoothness of this aura... Shen Wen almost instantly judged.

An unstable Foundation, most likely bolstered by Medicinal Pills.

This was typical of most ordinary Alchemists.

Alchemy was their main focus; cultivation was merely a tool.

If Dou Qi was insufficient, Medicinal Pills would supplement it.

If Realm was lacking, Medicinal Pills would elevate it.

Cao Tianxiong raised his eyes, looking past Cao Ying to rest on Shen Wen.

He didn't speak immediately, just quietly observed this young, unbelievably young Grade 8 Grandmaster.

After a moment, he set down the Pill Formula in his hand and spoke calmly:

"Sit."

Cao Ying pulled Shen Wen to sit in the lower seats.

A maidservant stepped forward to serve tea, then silently withdrew.

The hall doors gently closed behind them.

Cao Tianxiong picked up his teacup, took a sip, and spoke unhurriedly, "Among this generation of the Cao Family, only three stand out."

He extended three fingers, curling them down one by one:

"Cao Dan, talent passable, Heart-Nature insufficient, cannot shoulder major responsibilities."

"Cao Xiu, diligent enough, lacks innate talent, capped at Grade 7 at best."

Finally, he looked at Cao Ying sitting beside Shen Wen.

"Only this girl."

His tone was flat, yet tinged with unconcealed pride.

"Has the potential to reach the threshold of Grade 8."

Cao Ying lowered her gaze, remaining silent.

Shen Wen also did not respond.

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Cao Tianxiong withdrew his hand, leaned back in his chair, and fixed his gaze on Shen Wen's face.

"Unfortunately, Cao Ying is also married now. The younger generation of the Cao Family is incapable of shouldering great responsibility!"

"This is the reason I sought you out. I can grant you the treatment of a Cao Family heir."

He spoke calmly, as if discussing an ordinary matter.

"The Cao Family's resources, connections, intelligence network, medicinal herb channels, Medicinal Pill allocation rights... whatever you need, the Cao Family will provide."

He paused.

"There is only one condition."

Shen Wen looked up.

"Please speak, Elder."

Cao Tianxiong looked at him, enunciating each word clearly:

"In the future, the first child you have with Ying'er must bear the surname Cao."

As his words fell.

The faint strand of sandalwood incense in the hall seemed to freeze for an instant.

Shen Wen's brow twitched slightly.

Not in shock, nor in anger.

He just frowned lightly, as if encountering a troublesome matter that was unexpected, yet not entirely surprising.

He did not answer immediately.

But Cao Ying, beside him, had already spoken.

"Grandfather."

Her voice was steady, "The first child between my husband and I will be the Legitimate Heir."

She paused, her gaze meeting Cao Tianxiong's directly.

"How could the Legitimate Heir possibly bear the surname Cao?"

Cao Tianxiong looked at her.

That glance held no blame, no anger.

Only a touch of helplessness, a hint of... melancholy.

He looked at the granddaughter he had raised from childhood, at the undisguised protectiveness and determination in her eyes, and suddenly felt a pang of disorientation.

That little girl from back then, with her twin buns, chasing after him asking, 'Grandfather, why does this herb need a gentle flame?'

Was now a married woman, unapologetically siding with her husband.

Cao Tianxiong did not speak.

He just slowly shifted his gaze to Shen Wen.

That gaze held no pressure, no expectation.

He simply looked at him calmly.

Waiting for his answer.

Shen Wen met his gaze.

After a moment, Shen Wen stood up, cupped his hands, and bowed to Cao Tianxiong.

His movements were proper, his tone steady:

"This matter, Shen Wen cannot agree to."

Cao Tianxiong raised an eyebrow.

He was not angered, nor disappointed. He just quietly observed this young man with eyes that had witnessed nearly a century.

"The power represented by being a Cao Family heir," he began, his voice still calm, "do you know how immense it is?"

He paused, his tone unhurried:

"The Dan Ta Three Giants control the outer tower; Old Monster Lin presides over the Little Pill Tower."

He looked at Shen Wen.

"But the true Foundation of the Pill Tower is our Cao Family and the Dan Family—these two ancient trees with roots intertwined for centuries."

"The Council of Elders of the outer tower changes batch after batch; seats in the Little Pill Tower also shift."

"Only the surnames Cao and Dan have never broken their Legacy since the Pill Tower's founding."

He did not continue.

The meaning was clear enough.

The Cao Family's support was not ordinary assistance.

It was something that could allow Shen Wen to truly establish himself in the Pill Domain, and even advance further.