22: Chapter 22 Things Are Different Now

The banquet ended.

The two Clan Chiefs took their leave first.

On the road, they shook their heads and said, "Pass the word out. The clan rules must be strictly enforced. To embezzle from a single-person household, and to do it to an inspector no less—they truly have a death wish."

"If not for the connection with Yao Zhao, this would have blown up. Our two clans' reputations would have been damaged, and we would likely have been suppressed by the two of them in the market. Today can be considered a case of 'not knowing each other without fighting'."

"I just didn't expect this Young Master Wang to have such insight at his age. He is truly a hero among the youth."

At the banquet, Chen Xuan spoke flawlessly—neither fawning nor arrogant. He was balanced and composed, completely exceeding the level expected of someone his age.

"I fear only such capabilities are worthy of a sworn friendship with Manager Yao."

While sighing, the two men also remarked:

"Brother, when I was entrusted with this task in a crisis, it was with your all-out help that I finally gained a firm footing."

"Having today's achievements is our shared blessing."

"In the past, these great aristocratic families would never have looked at us twice."

"Power is money." Chen Xuan casually took out a Storage Pouch and handed it over.

Yao Zhao did not stand on ceremony at all.

The two helped each other and thrived together; that was how it should be.

Although he was over ten years older than Chen Xuan, Yao Zhao had always held him in high regard.

This guy might actually achieve Foundation Establishment in the future!

Because facts had long since proven that many of Chen Xuan's choices were correct.

This guy either had a heavenly destiny or possessed foresight far beyond ordinary people. He was a man of great wisdom.

Upon returning to the Wang Family Beast Taming Workshop, Chen Xuan found Golden Roar.

A crystal formed from the essence blood of a Second Rank Yao Beast flew out of the Storage Pouch.

It hovered in mid-air, emitting a gentle radiance.

This thing had cost a full three hundred Spirit Stones.

It was only because Chen Xuan was a person of standing that they had deducted fifty Spirit Stones.

It pained him a bit, but tonight's haul made up for it—the Liu Family's compensation was a clear five hundred Spirit Stones.

He wasn't buying the life of the Liu Family descendant, but rather the friendship between the two sides.

Seeing the blood essence, Golden Roar immediately wagged its tail, took the blood essence in its mouth, and wagged its tail at Chen Xuan, very happy.

Chen Xuan patted Golden Roar's wolf head, offered some encouragement, and returned to his room.

Golden Roar would likely need many days to refine this blood essence.

However, this guy was now bigger than a person, with thick fur and a huge appetite.

His sister, Wang Lingxue, often teased, "If it weren't for the fact that our Family runs a Beast Taming Workshop and spiritual materials are at cost price, with the way Golden Roar gobbles things up, we'd be eaten into poverty."

In short, whether in appearance or size, Golden Roar was now completely different from a normal Gray Wolf.

Once equipped with a Spirit Beast saddle, it looked majestic when ridden.

Unfortunately, except for Chen Xuan and Chen Qiuyu, anyone else, including Wang Lingxue, would be shaken right off.

It was simply incredibly arrogant.

Seven days later, Zhang Kai's grand funeral concluded.

Zhang Keer, dressed in mourning clothes, watched her father be laid to rest in the presence of relatives and friends.

The people who had pressured her a few days ago were now kneeling in front of the tomb as well.

All the friendships of the previous generation could be considered settled today.

Behind her, Father Wang and Mother Wang were also deeply moved.

Only after experiencing the ordeal of the beast tide did one truly understand life and death.

People don't just die of old age; they can die suddenly.

It was a pity that after Zhang Kai left, only Zhang Keer was left as the sole seedling.

The lone orphan of the Zhang Clan Bloodline.

After the relatives and friends dispersed.

Father Wang, Mother Wang, Chen Xuan, and Wang Lingxue returned to Zhang Keer's home once more.

Chen Ling touched Zhang Keer's hand and said softly, "Keer, what are your plans for the future?"

Hearing Chen Ling's question, Zhang Keer was dazed for a moment.

After coming to her senses, she looked at Chen Xuan, lowered her head shyly, and murmured,

"I will listen to whatever Aunt Chen arranges."

Chen Ling looked at Zhang Keer, then at Chen Xuan.

Sigh!

She sighed inwardly.

As a mother, how could she not know what her son was thinking?

Market Master Chen had visited last year to discuss the future of the two children.

Chen Xuan had outstanding Aptitude and would have the chance to become a High Grade Talisman maker in the future, holding an extraordinary status.

A suitable match would, of course, be that girl Chen Qiuyu, but he couldn't let go of his childhood sweetheart, Zhang Keer.

How can one have the best of both worlds in this life?

Zhang Keer could only wait until Chen Xuan took a concubine.

Now the Wang Family could be considered an aristocratic Family, with standing in the market.

As for Keer, even if she wanted to marry into the Wang Family, it would be based on past friendship and the affection between the children.

Now, she was completely marrying up.

If she's marrying up, then so be it.

Keeping her close at least meant she could keep an eye on things.

Chen Ling made up her mind and nodded, "Then come help us with the work at the Beast Taming Workshop first. Auntie has an extra room at home, so you can live at the Wang residence from now on."

"Okay." Zhang Keer lowered her head; unfortunately, she couldn't see her toes, only her snowy peaks heaving slightly.

Time flew by.

Half a month later, Chen Xuan successfully broke through to the fifth level of Qi Refining.

A year later, Golden Roar successfully refined the blood essence and advanced to the Middle Stage of the First Rank, and the Wang Family Beast Taming Workshop mastered the technique of purifying Bloodlines.

A year and a half later, Chen Xuan successfully crafted an Earth Rank Medium Grade Talisman.

That same year, the Chen Family Talisman Workshop took on two more apprentices, and the Wang Family Beast Taming Workshop mastered the technique for making beast pills.

Two years later, Yao Zhao established the Yao Clan. Chen Xuan sent a generous gift, along with a First Rank Legacy Opportunity recorded by the Heavenly Secret, and their friendship was self-evident.

Two and a half years later, Chen Xuan turned eighteen. His coming-of-age ceremony was held simply, with only a few acquaintances invited.

But the congratulatory gifts from the prominent families in the market were not lacking in the slightest.

After the banquet ended, Chen Xuan saw off the guests.

Yao Zhao pulled him aside:

"Brother Chen, the matter I handled for you is done. The incident where Xu the Loudmouth embezzled spirit rice from the Spirit Farmers was exposed, and in the end, it implicated a Foundation Establishment Elder."

"Fortunately, this Sect Master is discerning. Now they have all been demoted and are shoveling manure for Spirit Beasts at the Beast Taming Peak of the Fusheng Sect."

Chen Xuan laughed. He had only mentioned it in passing; he hadn't expected Yao Zhao to really go through the trouble of reporting it.

It was truly gratifying.

"But that's a small matter. There is a major matter to discuss with you today."

Yao Zhao sipped his tea.

"Brother Yao, please don't keep me in suspense any longer." Chen Xuan laughed.

"I knew you were impatient. Previously, you asked me to inquire if you could find a storefront in the inner city of Fusheng Immortal City to conduct some business."

"I've found one now."

Fusheng Immortal City is divided into an outer city and an inner city.

The outer city has seventy-two gates, and the inner city has thirty-six halls. The outer city is just a place where a large number of First Rank and Second Rank Spiritual Veins intersect, while the inner city is different. The inner city has a pseudo-Third Rank Spiritual Vein, which can barely support cultivation at the Golden Core Stage.

For Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment Cultivators, cultivating there is like practicing within a Spirit Gathering Array.

Chen Xuan thought about his own Aptitude; it was necessary to secure a property in the inner city.

"How many Spirit Stones will it cost?" Chen Xuan asked.

Yao Zhao shook his head, "People who can live in the inner city are often from large families; they are not lacking in Spirit Stones."

"What they want is talent."

This sounded a bit abstract. Chen Xuan said, "Brother Yao, please speak plainly."

"Well, every year, provide them with one Low Grade talent trained in any of the hundred arts of cultivation. An average one is fine; it's not required to be a master in just a year."

Hearing this, Chen Xuan was even more puzzled.

But thinking about it, it made sense.

Usually, an apprenticeship takes decades to produce a master.

Calculated this way, training one talent every ten years is equivalent to training one for free every year.

And the Wang Family Beast Taming Workshop also needs space and resources to train Low Grade beast tamers.

And this is a rigid condition; that is, all food, clothing, and expenses are provided by oneself.

"That's not right. Wouldn't that mean I only need one hundred Spirit Stones a year?" Chen Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly.

There are quite a few locations in the inner city, and many shops for rent, costing three hundred Spirit Stones a year.

Why would any Family be willing to suffer a loss?

Yao Zhao chuckled, "Haha, of course, that's what I negotiated with the Liu Family."