182: Chapter 182 What kind of strange fire is this...? Is it very important to you?

"By the way, why did you call me here? The letter didn't say clearly." Su Chengyuan shifted into a comfortable position in his chair.

Su Cheng originally wanted to say it was nothing major. Now that he'd finished asking about the Family's situation—his mother's health was good, his sister's cultivation was smooth, and the Family was stable—the weight on his heart had lifted. The main purpose of this meeting had been mostly achieved.

But seeing his father's high spirits, looking like he wanted to chat for another two hours, he suddenly remembered something.

"Father, I actually do have something I want to ask your opinion on."

Su Chengyuan immediately sat up straight.

For the past half year, he had been cooped up within the Family walls every day. Although his wife was with him, he was truly bored out of his mind.

Most importantly, his son was now out there making waves, while he, as the father, stayed at home unable to help. Now that his son had taken the initiative to speak up, he was full of the satisfaction of being able to take on some responsibility for him.

"Tell me," Su Chengyuan said, suppressing the smile on his face.

"Lin Feng sent word. Southwest of Tianlan Province, there's a place called Xuanhuo Ridge. The local Fire Vein is unusual, and it's suspected there might be an Exotic Fire seed.

Inside Xuanhuo Ridge is a place called Ten Thousand Snakes Valley, infested with Poisonous Creatures. Ordinary Loose Cultivators dare not venture deep inside.

The news was brought out by a traveling Medicine Merchant. It's hard to tell if it's true or false, but it's currently the only somewhat reliable clue."

Exotic Fire? Su Chengyuan rarely encountered such things and didn't know much about them, but he knew from the name that it was a rare spiritual object.

His tone carried a hint of eagerness: "You want me to go explore? This Exotic Fire... is it very important to you?"

How sharp was Su Cheng's mind? Seeing his father's posture of wanting to draw his sword and head out immediately, an alarm bell rang in his heart.

If he let his father know that this fire seed concerned his future trump card in the Dao of Alchemy, with his father's personality, he would likely disregard the danger to fight for it for him.

"It's not exactly important." Su Cheng waved his hand casually, downplaying its significance. "It's something optional. My current methods are sufficient; finding a fire seed is just the icing on the cake."

His voice tightened slightly: "So, if Father wants to go...

First, it's purely for investigation. You must never put yourself in danger.

This trip is only to see if it's real, to map the terrain, the range of the Poisonous Miasma, and whether any other forces are rooted there. Retreat immediately if you encounter danger.

Second, you must not act alone. I will arrange for people from the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce to accompany you, using the cover of the Chamber of Commerce inspecting a new trade route."

Investigation instead of action was the bottom line, and bringing a trade caravan was the cover.

With these two combined, the safety factor was pushed to the highest value Su Cheng could provide.

"Alright," Su Chengyuan nodded.

"Then you go home first and arrange the Family affairs, then come to the Prefecture City. I'll notify the Chamber of Commerce in advance to arrange a Guard team for you."

Su Cheng took out several jade bottles from his Storage Pouch and lined them up on the table.

"Ten spirit burst pills. You keep six, and the other four will be distributed to the other Cultivators in the caravan. Taking one at a critical moment will double your combat power for a short time with no side effects.

Twenty Spirit Recovery Pills and twenty biling pills each. If the poisonous gas in Ten Thousand Snakes Valley is heavy, take twenty Poison-Avoiding Pills as well."

More and more items appeared on the table from Su Cheng.

"And Talismans." Su Cheng pushed another Storage Pouch over. "Twenty second-grade attack, defense, and Escape Speed Talismans each. When you reach the outskirts of Ten Thousand Snakes Valley, use the Escape Speed Talismans to scout the way first. If things aren't right, retreat. Don't force it; your life is more precious than any Exotic Fire."

Su Chengyuan tucked the Storage Pouches into his robe all at once.

"Fine, you're the boss."

He looked at his son and suddenly laughed out loud.

"What is it?"

"Nothing." Su Chengyuan stood up and stretched. "I was just thinking, you're really wealthy and powerful now, kid. You're more of a father than your old man."

Su Cheng didn't take the bait and brought the topic back.

"The Xuanhuo Ridge matter can't start for another month or two at the earliest. When you go back this time, sort out the Family affairs first. Hand off whatever Family matters you can to other clansmen. Then come to the Prefecture City to find Fang Zhenhai; he will have the caravan's manpower and supplies ready."

Su Chengyuan agreed.

The father and son chatted about some trivial Family matters.

Su Cheng asked a few questions about the operation of the shops in Qinghe County, and Su Chengyuan answered them one by one.

Finally, Su Chengyuan mentioned the matter of memory erasure, but the Wangchuan Formula requires a Divine Sense at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage or higher to perform.

Su Cheng was still a bit short and needed more time, so it was postponed again.

The conversation in the secret room could end here.

When the father and son walked out of the secret room, Chen Yuan happened to stroll over from the stairs, holding a bowl of Spirit Fruit Syrup, probably requested from a worker of the Chamber of Commerce.

"This is..." Chen Yuan stopped in his tracks.

"My father," Su Cheng replied.

Hearing this, Chen Yuan hurriedly set the bowl aside and bowed with cupped hands.

Su Chengyuan sized up Chen Yuan, noticing the profound spiritual energy foundation that far exceeded his own, then turned to look at his son.

Meeting his father's gaze, Su Cheng introduced him: "Father, this is my Great Master Senior Brother Chen Yuan from the Danding Sect, a Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator. On this trip to the Prefecture City, Senior Brother has been looking after me all the way."

After finishing his bow, Chen Yuan said with a smile, "Greetings, Uncle Su! I've always heard Junior Brother mention you. You can just call me Little Chen!"

Su Chengyuan nodded gently, accepting the greeting.

However, he was puzzled in his heart. This young man clearly had a Late Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation, yet he was so easygoing and submissive toward his son, showing none of the arrogance of a top Sect's elite disciple.

After a brief chat, the father and son left the Chamber of Commerce and strolled around the Prefecture City. Since Su Chengyuan had come, he naturally wanted to buy some things to take home.

The next morning， Su Chengyuan set off to return to Qingyang Town， Go back to arrange family affairs。

Su Cheng saw him off at the entrance of the Chamber of Commerce, watching his father's figure slowly disappear into the distance.

Then he turned back to find Fang Zhenhai.

"Young Master, please give your orders." Fang Zhenhai waited in the hall, his posture respectful.

"There is one thing. My father will be setting off from Qinghe Prefecture to the Prefecture City soon. At that time, the Chamber of Commerce needs to organize a caravan, under the guise of inspecting a new trade route, to escort him to the Xuanhuo Ridge area southwest of Tianlan Province for an on-site investigation."

Fang Zhenhai cupped his hands: "Understood. And the scale of the caravan?"

"Four Foundation Establishment Cultivators and ten to fifteen Late Qi Refining Stage Guards. Among the Foundation Establishment Cultivators, let Zhao Shan and Vice President Li go as well."

Fang Zhenhai went over the manpower in his head. Zhao Shan was a quasi-Foundation Establishment Mid-stage, Vice President Li was a quasi-Foundation Establishment Peak, plus two more Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators. This configuration was already top-tier for the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce.

"Very well, I will personally instruct Zhao Shan and Vice President Li. As for the ten or so Qi Refining Cultivators, I will pick the most capable ones from the Guard team. Does the Young Master have any other requirements?"

"Regarding supplies..." Su Cheng took out a pre-engraved Jade Slip from his sleeve and handed it over. "Talismans, Spirit Pills, Spirit Stones, dry rations, tents, and Formation Plates—prepare everything according to this list.

Nothing on the list should be missing, and you can add anything else you see fit. Since we're traveling in the name of a caravan, the samples of goods should also look the part."

Fang Zhenhai took the Jade Slip, scanned it with his Divine Sense, and then said seriously, "Understood."

"Mm." Su Cheng turned to go upstairs, then suddenly stopped and looked back.

"President Fang."

"Yes."

"Make sure everything is fully prepared. My father must not encounter any danger."

"Young Master Su, rest assured. I will give instructions. Even if everyone in the caravan dies, I will not let anything happen to Brother Chen Yuan."

"Good, I will put in a few good words for you in front of the Master."

"Thank you, Young Master Su!"