9: Chapter 9 Wang Family, Wang Teng
"It's all because of the mineral vein."
Cheng Sanniang said in a low voice, "More and more Cultivators are going to the Red Moon Mountain Range now. The prices of Medicinal Pills, Talismans, and Magical Artifacts have all doubled."
"I heard that several robbery and murder incidents have occurred in the Inner City. The victims were all Cultivators who had just returned from the mountain range."
Chu Feng frowned. "It's that chaotic?"
"Interests stir the heart," Cheng Sanniang sighed. "The temptation of the foundation establishment pill is too great. Many Cultivators have gone mad with greed. However, we live in the Second Ring of the Inner City, so safety is still guaranteed."
As they spoke, the two arrived at Baibao Pavilion.
Baibao Pavilion was a competitor of Duobao Pavilion, and its scale was not small either.
The reason Chu Feng came here instead of Duobao Pavilion was that he didn't want to expose too much of his background.
Upon entering Baibao Pavilion, an attendant immediately came forward. "What do you two Fellow Daoists need?"
"I want to look at Pill Furnaces," Chu Feng said.
"Pill Furnaces are on the second floor. Please follow me."
On the second floor, various Alchemy and Artifact Refining tools were on display.
Chu Feng's eyes immediately fell upon a three-foot-tall bronze Pill Furnace.
The Pill Furnace had a primitive design, with three legs and two ears. Its surface was carved with exquisite flame patterns, emitting a faint fluctuation of spiritual power.
"Fellow Daoist has a good eye," the attendant introduced. "This is the 'Green Flame Furnace.' It's refined using Bronze Essence mixed with fire-attribute Ores, providing excellent conduction and amplification effects for flames. It's most suitable for refining Yellow Rank Medicinal Pills."
"How much?"
"Two thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
Chu Feng clicked his tongue inwardly.
Truly not cheap.
However, considering that a Pill Furnace was a long-term investment, it was still worth it.
"Do you have Pill Formulas?"
"We do."
The attendant took out several Jade Slips from under the counter. "'The Encyclopedia of Basic Medicinal Pills' contains ten common Yellow Rank Pill Formulas for five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones. 'Detailed Explanation of Alchemy for Beginners' includes Alchemy techniques and precautions for six hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
Chu Feng checked the contents of the Jade Slips. After confirming there were no issues, he also purchased a batch of commonly used low-Rank medicinal herbs.
The total cost was three thousand one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones.
After finishing their purchases, the two were about to leave when they suddenly heard a commotion downstairs.
"Move! Everyone move out of the way!"
"Young Master Wang has arrived! Bystanders, clear the way!"
Chu Feng and Cheng Sanniang glanced at each other and walked to the top of the stairs to look down.
They saw a group of Cultivators in silk robes surrounding a young man in extravagant clothing as they walked into Baibao Pavilion.
The young man was in his twenties, with an arrogant expression and a cultivation level around the sixth level of Qi Refining.
The guards around him all had strong auras; the lowest was at the seventh level of Qi Refining.
"It's Wang Teng of the Wang Family," Cheng Sanniang said in a low voice. "The Wang Family is one of the three major families in Hongyue City. This Wang Teng is a direct descendant of the Wang Family and a well-known profligate."
Chu Feng nodded. Not wanting to cause trouble, he planned to wait for them to leave before going down.
But things didn't go as planned.
Wang Teng circled the first floor and didn't seem to find what he wanted. He looked up at the second floor and led his people up.
"Oh, isn't this Cheng Sanniang?" Wang Teng spotted Cheng Sanniang immediately, and his eyes lit up. "Long time no see, Sanniang. You've become even more beautiful and moving."
Cheng Sanniang's brow furrowed slightly as she said coolly, "Young Master Wang."
Wang Teng stepped closer, his gaze sweeping over Cheng Sanniang, making no effort to hide the possessiveness in his eyes. "Sanniang, have you thought about it? Become my concubine, and I guarantee you'll enjoy endless wealth and glory. Why suffer in a place like Black Stone Street?"
"Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Wang, but I already have a Dao Companion," Cheng Sanniang said, taking Chu Feng's arm.
Only then did Wang Teng notice Chu Feng. He looked him up and down, and seeing he only had a cultivation at the fourth level of Qi Refining, his eyes flashed with disdain. "Just him? A fifth-level Qi Refining waste, and he's worthy of you?"
Chu Feng's gaze turned cold.
Cheng Sanniang felt the chill from him and quickly squeezed his hand, saying to Wang Teng, "Young Master Wang, please show some respect."
"Respect?" Wang Teng laughed. "Cheng Sanniang, I'm only speaking nicely to you because I'm giving you Face. Don't be ungrateful. In this Hongyue City, there's no woman I, Wang Teng, want that I can't get!"
The guards behind him took a step forward, releasing their pressure.
They were all at the Late Stage of Qi Refining!
Just as the atmosphere became tense, an aged voice rang out, "Young Master Wang, fighting is prohibited inside Baibao Pavilion. Please give this old man some Face."
An old man wearing a gray robe walked down from the third floor.
The old man's aura was deep and profound; he was actually a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator!
Wang Teng's expression changed, and he quickly cupped his hands. "So it is Vice Pavilion Master Luo. This Junior has been disrespectful."
Vice Pavilion Master Luo nodded and looked at the two of them. "Fellow Daoists, are you all right?"
"Thank you, Senior," Chu Feng said, clasping his hands.
"No need for formalities."
Vice Pavilion Master Luo said calmly, "Baibao Pavilion is open for business, and we value harmony and prosperity. Young Master Wang, if you want to buy something, I welcome you. But if you cause trouble, don't blame me for being impolite."
Wang Teng's Face was grim, but he didn't dare offend a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. He could only grit his teeth and say, "This Junior was impulsive. Let's go!"
He glared fiercely at Chu Feng and left with his guards.
After they left, Vice Pavilion Master Luo said to Chu Feng, "Little friend, the Wang Family is powerful; be careful. This Wang Teng is vindictive. Having lost Face today, he likely won't let this matter rest."
"Thank you for the warning, Senior," Chu Feng said sincerely.
"Mhm." Vice Pavilion Master Luo said no more and turned to go back upstairs.
Chu Feng and Cheng Sanniang left Baibao Pavilion and walked back quickly.
"Husband, I'm sorry for causing you trouble," Cheng Sanniang said guiltily.
"It's not your fault," Chu Feng shook his head. "That Wang Teng was being too overbearing. But you're right, the Wang Family is powerful, we must be careful."
A sense of urgency welled up in his heart.
Strength! He had to increase his strength as quickly as possible!
In this world, without strength, one couldn't even protect their own woman!
Returning to the small courtyard, Chu Feng gave the Pill Furnace and Pill Formulas to Luo Xingyu, instructing her to study them well.
Then he returned to the Talisman room and began crafting Talismans frantically.
This time, he wasn't just making protective spiritual talismans; he also researched and learned Profound Rank Low Grade offensive spiritual talismans.
With his current Comprehension Ability, this was not a difficult task.
One, two, three...
He had to save up enough Spirit Stones to buy Cultivate resources and Breakthrough as soon as possible!
By evening, Chu Feng walked out of the Talisman room. His Storage Pouch now held twenty more Yellow Rank High Grade protective spiritual talismans, bringing the total to over fifty.
"Tomorrow I'll go to Duobao Pavilion to sell some, and keep the rest as spares."
After dinner, Chu Feng called the three women to the master bedroom.
He had the three women kneel facing outward while he was in the center, activating the Three Talents Formation.
Chu Feng looked at the System panel.
[Giant Spirit Root System]
[Rank: Level 3 (134/10,000 times)]
"Rest well."
"We'll continue tomorrow."
"Husband!" Cheng Sanniang called out softly.
"What's wrong?" Chu Feng asked.
"I feel like I'm about to reach Qi Refining Perfection," Cheng Sanniang said.
"Oh?" Chu Feng's spirits lifted. "This is great news."
"Yes," Cheng Sanniang nodded. "In at most half a month, I should reach Perfection."
"Good!" Chu Feng was sincerely happy.
Cheng Sanniang's increase in strength was a good thing for the entire Family.