68: Chapter 68 The temptation was too great; I simply couldn't resist.

"Mother, once the Family has developed better in the future, I will use Spirit Medicine to nourish your body and extend your life," Su Cheng comforted her softly. "Perhaps in the future, I might even be able to let you step into cultivation."

Su Cheng had refined many Medicinal Pills, and the body tempering pill had the effect of tempering the body, but that was for Cultivators. A top-grade body tempering pill's medicinal effect was too strong; it wasn't something a Mortal like his mother could use.

Fortunately, his mother wasn't that old. Su Cheng believed that in a few years, as his cultivation level rose and the types of pills he could refine increased, there would eventually be one suitable for her.

"I don't want any longevity," Liu Yue shook her head, her eyes slightly red. "I only want you all to be safe and sound."

In the end, under the persistent persuasion of the father and son, Liu Yue finally nodded in agreement.

Having settled the Family matters, Su Chengyuan went to see the Family Head, Su Tianxiang.

He didn't mention going to the Prefecture City, only saying he was taking Su Cheng to the mountain ranges near Qinghe Prefecture to gain experience and broaden his horizons, with no set return date.

At the same time, he took out three hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones, claiming his daughter Su Yunling had sent them to him via a messenger to hand over to the Family.

A few days ago, news of Su Yunling's safe return to her sect had arrived, and the Family Head and clansmen finally felt at ease.

The Wang Family remained as astute as ever, falling back into silence once more, and everything returned to peace.

With this sum of Spirit Stones in the clan, the clansmen's cultivation resources became much more abundant. Naturally, no one would question the whereabouts of Su Chengyuan and his son.

With everything arranged properly, the father and son quietly left Qingyang Town that night.

The azure dragon sword transformed into a streak of light, speeding through the night.

Su Cheng stood behind his father. Beneath his feet, mountains and rivers receded rapidly, while the whistling wind howled past his ears.

This was his first time experiencing sword flight across two lifetimes. Beyond the novelty, his heart was filled with longing for the future.

He wore a mask on his face, completely concealing his overly young and handsome features.

On his person, he also carried the Magical Artifact Su Chengyuan had purchased from Treasure Gathering Tower, which could block the Divine Sense probes of Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, the two deliberately bypassed crowded cities and main roads, specifically choosing remote mountain paths.

In this way, although their speed was much slower, it was safe and steady, avoiding attention.

Twenty days later, a giant city ten times more magnificent than Qinghe Prefecture City finally appeared in Su Cheng's eyes.

Tianlan Province City.

Even looking down from high altitude, one could still feel the majestic Aura blowing against their face.

The city walls towered into the clouds, with runes flowing upon them. The city guards were all at the Late Qi Refining Stage, and occasionally, the Aura of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator could be sensed flashing by.

Su Chengyuan found a deserted spot outside the city to descend, and the father and son entered the city on foot.

After paying the entry fee, Su Chengyuan led Su Cheng with familiar ease to an inconspicuous inn in the west of the city to settle down.

"Rest here first. I'm going to the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce to take a look," Su Chengyuan instructed.

"Be careful, Father."

Su Chengyuan nodded, restored his appearance to that of "Wang Lin," and headed out toward the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce.

Using the token Zhao Shan had given him previously, he entered the chamber smoothly and met Zhao Shan, who was busy handling affairs.

"Brother Wang?" Zhao Shan showed some surprise upon seeing Su Chengyuan. "Why have you come? Please, have a seat."

"Brother Zhao, I hope you have been well." Su Chengyuan smiled and cupped his hands. "I've come today to ask if Brother Zhao is free to find a place to catch up."

Seeing his solemn expression, Zhao Shan realized it wasn't a simple social call. His heart stirred, and he put down his work, laughing, "Of course I'm free! It's rare for Brother Wang to visit; I must naturally accompany you. Come, let's go to Drunken Immortal Tower; it's quiet there."

Half an hour later, in a private room of a restaurant called Drunken Immortal Tower, the two sat down as host and guest.

"Brother Wang, you really... surprised me!" Zhao Shan sized up Su Chengyuan, his face full of amazement.

It had only been two or three short months since their last parting, yet the Aura on the other man had already transformed from Peak Tenth Layer Qi Refining into a true Foundation Establishment Stage! That condensed fluctuation of spiritual power could not be faked.

The desire to recruit him rose in Zhao Shan's heart again. He personally poured a cup of spirit wine for Su Chengyuan and smiled, "Congratulations on your successful Foundation Establishment, Brother Wang; the Great Dao is within reach! My previous words still stand. As long as you are willing to join our Four Seas Chamber of Commerce, the benefits are negotiable, and a Deacon position is within easy reach!"

Su Chengyuan picked up the wine cup but didn't drink, only smiling faintly. "Thank you for your kindness, Brother Zhao. I owe my current state entirely to the support of a hidden expert. I have already promised to serve them, so I truly dare not seek employment elsewhere."

"An expert?" Zhao Shan was stunned.

"Indeed." Su Chengyuan set down his wine cup. "To be honest with Brother Zhao, there is an Alchemist standing behind me. My Breakthrough was also thanks to a foundation establishment pill he personally refined."

An Alchemist! A foundation establishment pill!

Zhao Shan's heart shook violently, and the way he looked at Su Chengyuan changed.

No wonder! No wonder the other party had rejected his recruitment attempts so cleanly several times.

It turned out he had an Alchemist as a backer, and one who could refine foundation establishment pills at that—at least a Second-Rank Alchemist.

In an instant, Zhao Shan abandoned his thoughts of recruitment and instead asked curiously, "I wonder if Brother Wang's visit today means there is something I can help you with?"

"It's not exactly a request for help." Su Chengyuan waved his hand, changing the subject. "There is a stroke of immense fortune that I wish to gift to Brother Zhao and the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce."

He slowly laid out his prepared explanation: "The Alchemist behind me doesn't like dealing with people. However, he needs resources for Alchemy, and the pills he refines need a channel for sale. Since Brother Zhao and I hit it off immediately, I recommended the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce to him. He said he could give you an Opportunity."

Benefits for no reason? A flash of wariness and disbelief crossed Zhao Shan's eyes.

He already owed Su Chengyuan a favor that he hadn't repaid, yet the other party was proactively offering him benefits? Moreover, this Opportunity was simply too massive.

Su Chengyuan took in his reaction and said no more, simply taking a jade bottle from his Storage Pouch and pushing it gently across the table.

"This is a qi gathering pill refined by the Alchemist behind me. Brother Zhao can sample it first."

Zhao Shan picked up the jade bottle skeptically and uncorked it.

An incredibly pure medicinal fragrance wafted out. Although it was only a Qi Refining Stage pill, just one sniff made him feel the spiritual power in his body become more active.

He poured out a pill and saw that it was round, full, glowing with treasure light, and completely flawless.

"This... this is... Supreme-grade! It's actually a top-grade qi gathering pill!" Zhao Shan cried out in shock, his hands trembling slightly.

He had been a chamber commander for many years and had seen many pills, but he had never seen a qi gathering pill of such perfect quality!

He had only heard rumors before that the great Alchemy sect, the Danding Sect, had Great Masters capable of refining supreme-grade pills. Could it be that the person behind Wang Lin was from the Danding Sect?

But as a Disciple of a great sect, would they lack Spirit Stones? Furthermore, such supreme-grade pills were rarely seen; it was said they were all consumed internally by those Nascent Soul sects. How could they be circulated outside?

Zhao Shan's heart pounded wildly. He finally understood what Su Chengyuan meant by "immense fortune."

So even if he had doubts, the temptation was too great; he simply couldn't control himself.

Moreover, which Cultivators were most numerous in the Prefecture Cities? It was bound to be Qi Refining Cultivators, and this top-grade qi gathering pill was a temptation that Qi Refining Stage Cultivators simply could not refuse.

Especially with so many major powers in the Prefecture City, they certainly didn't lack Spirit Stones.

If they could monopolize the sale of this pill... the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce would surely rise!

"Brother Wang, this matter... this matter is of great importance. I cannot make the decision; I must return immediately to report to the President!" Zhao Shan said, his breathing hurried.

"No rush." Su Chengyuan pressed down on his shoulder as he prepared to stand, and took out two identical jade boxes, placing them on the table. "There are two more types of pills in here. Take these three items back together for your chamber's upper management to inspect. After seeing them, then decide whether to cooperate."

He paused, his tone becoming meaningful: "Brother Zhao, it is only because of our friendship that I gave the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce this chance. There are many chambers in the Prefecture City. Those who want to cooperate with us are definitely more than just your house. Once this village is passed, there won't be another shop like it."

Hearing this, Zhao Shan's heart tightened.

He solemnly put the three items into his Storage Pouch and gave Su Chengyuan a heavy cupped-hand salute. "Don't worry, Brother Wang, I'm going back right now! By tomorrow at the latest, I will definitely give you an answer!"

With that, he could no longer contain himself and hurried away.

After seeing Zhao Shan off, Su Chengyuan did not return to the inn but instead turned and went to Tingfeng Tower.

He spent one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones to request all public information on the Lin Family of the Prefecture City.