Chapter 89

"Yue'er, have you really decided to leave?"

In the dining hall of the Piaohua Palace, Shangguan Junyi held her niece's hand, her eyes full of reluctance.

" Aunt, I've stayed in Nangjiang Province for much longer than expected. Now that the first batch of 'Immortal Pills' has been successfully made, it's time for me to return to the capital," Shangguan Mingyue said with excitement in her eyes. "Moreover, the Yinhuan Chamber of Commerce is pressing us hard; it's time to show them what we're made of."

"The journey to the capital is long, and I won't be by your side. What if something like yesterday happens again?" Concerned, Shangguan Junyi was filled with worry.

"If Miss Shangguan doesn't mind, perhaps I could accompany her," Shen Dachui, sitting opposite at the table, suddenly spoke up.

"Old Master Shen, are you leaving too?" Zhong Wen, who had been planning to exchange minerals with Shen Dachui, was taken aback by the news.

"This exploration of 'Leiyin Valley' has been highly rewarding. The old man plans to visit the capital to revive the glory of the Divine Forging lineage. Although I'm reluctant to leave, it's time to bid farewell," Shen Dachui stroked his beard, feeling deeply moved.

"Grandpa, can't we stay?" Shen Xiaowan pouted, unhappy at the thought of leaving Piaohua Palace.

Piaohua Palace not only had delicious food but also many good sisters and younger sisters. She had become very close to Little Luo Li and the maids like Baoqin and Siqu, almost inseparable. Now, hearing that they were leaving, she was naturally very unwilling.

"Girl, we are outsiders. It's not proper to keep freeloading at Piaohua Palace," Shen Dachui patted his granddaughter's head, speaking earnestly. "Palace Master Lin is kind and forgiving, but we shouldn't take advantage of her kindness."

"Can I become a disciple of Piaohua Palace?" Shen Xiaowan suddenly blurted out.

"Sure, sure, Sister Xiaowan, why don't you join Master's disciples? Then we'll be sisters!" Little Luo Li was delighted at the idea, raising her hands in agreement.

"This..." Shen Dachui knew that if his granddaughter joined Piaohua Palace, she would be well taken care of. However, he had high hopes for his only granddaughter, hoping that the Divine Forging lineage would flourish through her. He was hesitant about letting her join another lineage.

"Old Master Shen, why not let Xiaowan train with Palace Master Lin for a while? Once she becomes stronger, she can help you revive the Divine Forging lineage," Zhong Wen suggested, "Besides, on Qingfeng Mountain, she might still be able to learn about spiritual weapon forging."

"Oh, what do you mean by that?" Shen Dachui asked curiously.

Zhong Wen leaned in and whispered a few words. Shen Dachui's eyes lit up: "Is that true?"

"Old Master Shen, have I ever lied to you?" Zhong Wen smiled.

"If that's the case, Xiaowan's future achievements will surely surpass mine. As long as Palace Master Lin is willing to take her, I have no objections," Shen Dachui chuckled, "I just wonder if this silly girl will meet Palace Master Lin's standards."

"Old Master Shen, Xiaowan is a simple-hearted child. Zhiyun really likes her," Lin Zhiyun quickly said, "I'm afraid my abilities are limited, and if I don't teach her well, please bear with me."

"Leaving Xiaowan in Palace Master Lin's care, I am at ease," Shen Dachui looked at his granddaughter, who was standing there in a daze, "Xiaowan, what are you thinking about? Come and pay respects to your master."

"Pay respects to Master." Shen Xiaowan, overjoyed, bowed to Lin Zhiyun, her head knocking loudly.

"Good, good!" Lin Zhiyun was delighted to have a new disciple.

Everyone came forward to offer their congratulations, but Zhong Wen took the opportunity to pull Shen Dachui aside: "Old Master Shen, can I exchange some minerals with you?"

"Zhong Xiaoge, you're too polite. I wouldn't have been able to bring these minerals out of Leiyin Valley without your help. Take whatever you want, no need to talk about exchanging," Shen Dachui said generously, still adjusting to his newfound wealth.

"Friendship is one thing, but these are Old Master Shen's assets. I'm not a pretty aunt, so I can't just take them for free," Zhong Wen smiled, pulling out a book from his pocket and handing it to Shen Dachui, "I want to exchange this spiritual technique for some ten-thousand-year-old mystic iron. What do you think?"

Can a pretty aunt take things for free?

Shen Dachui was speechless, unable to follow Zhong Wen's unique way of thinking.

He took the book and saw the title "Mad Demon Fist Technique." He quickly flipped through it, finding the techniques profound and intricate, and his heart filled with joy, though he still protested, "This is too much, this is too much."

"Old Master Shen, to be frank, although your cultivation is deep, the spiritual techniques you practice are..." Zhong Wen barely managed to hold back from saying "trash," "The journey to the capital is long, and Miss Shangguan is of noble birth. It's hard to ensure that you won't encounter people like the Yinhuan Chamber of Commerce again. With this spiritual technique, even ordinary Heavenly Wheel experts won't be a match for you."

"Zhong Xiaoge, is this 'Mad Demon Fist Technique'..." Shen Dachui's voice was excited.

"Gold and above." Zhong Wen leaned in and whispered.

This "Mad Demon Fist Technique" was one of the four platinum-level spiritual techniques Zhong Wen had obtained from the Jile Gang, which he later translated into Dagan language with Lin Zhiyun's help.

"Zhong Xiaoge, you can take as many minerals from Leiyin Valley as you want," Shen Dachui's eyes sparkled, almost fainting from excitement, "If you need to forge any spiritual weapons in the future, just come to me. If I hesitate, write my name backward."

Hammer God?

"No, no, I only need some ten-thousand-year-old mystic iron," Zhong Wen mentally spelled Shen Dachui's name backward, suppressing a laugh, "Thank you, Old Master Shen."

Shen Dachui responded with a few more words and then hurriedly ran off to study the spiritual technique, like a child with a new toy, completely engrossed.

Afterward, Zhong Wen was called into Lin Zhiyun's room to teach the newly admitted fifth disciple, Shen Xiaowan, a cultivation technique. Unbeknownst to her, Little Luo Li's rank had dropped to "Sixth Sister."

After some thought, Zhong Wen used the last "Tihou Guanding" to impart the "Xuanbing Lihuo Gong" he had won in a lottery to Shen Xiaowan.

This Star Spirit-level cultivation technique, originating from the ancient sect "Duobao Pavilion," allowed practitioners to control both "Xuanbing Power" and "Lihuo Power," two opposing forces of cold and heat. When used for forging, it allowed for precise temperature control, surpassing the "Lihuo Divine Technique" Zhong Wen had obtained from Leiyin Valley.

With this "Xuanbing Lihuo Gong," "Duobao Pavilion" had surpassed "Leiyin Valley" in the ancient era, firmly holding the position of the top forging sect.

Handing a "Tiefan Pill" to Shen Xiaowan, Zhong Wen didn't immediately go to the material storage to find ten-thousand-year-old mystic iron. Instead, he locked himself in his room, making a loud noise as he worked on something.

...

Farewells are always emotional.

Shangguan Mingyue had stayed on Qingfeng Mountain for many days, forming deep bonds with everyone at Piaohua Palace. Even Nangong Ling, whom she had treated coldly, had reconciled with her after the battle with the Yinhuan Chamber of Commerce. Now, as she prepared to leave, the entire palace was filled with sorrow and reluctance.

Shangguan Junyi held her hand, fussing over her like a mother sending her daughter off on a long journey, reminding her of this and that.

After a group of women chattered and exchanged gifts, bidding farewell to each other, nearly half an hour had passed.

"I'm leaving," Shangguan Mingyue glanced at Zhong Wen, pretending to be nonchalant, "Don't take advantage of Aunt while I'm gone."

Zhong Wen's face twitched, and he forced a smile, then said seriously, "Miss Shangguan, come with me for a moment."

With that, he walked toward the gate, and Shangguan Mingyue, after a moment's hesitation, followed him out.

"These past days, you've helped me a lot. Although I didn't say it, I've always remembered it," Zhong Wen looked at the beautiful young lady before him and said sincerely.

"You're finally being reasonable," Shangguan Mingyue rolled her eyes, pretending to be angry, "You're the first to treat me like a laborer."

"Who knows when we'll meet again," Zhong Wen smiled and pulled out a gray cloth bag, handing it to her, "This is a small farewell gift. I hope Miss Shangguan won't mind."

Shangguan Mingyue, without being coy, took the bag, pulled the string, and peered inside.

"This, this is!" Her eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with her delicate hand, speechless for a moment.

A high-level spirit pattern disk and a spirit crystal core.

A single spirit crystal core contained the energy equivalent to an entire spirit crystal vein. Even someone of her caliber was shocked by such a valuable gift.

"You wanted the 'Spirit Gathering Pattern,' right?" Zhong Wen, seeing her surprise, felt a bit smug, "With this spirit crystal core, it can enhance the spirit energy concentration within fifty yards, which will benefit your cultivation."

Shangguan Mingyue stared at the bag for a while, then suddenly looked up at Zhong Wen, her arms crossed protectively, her eyes showing a hint of suspicion: "What do you want from me?"

Zhong Wen: "..."

His mind was flooded with a thousand grass mud horses.

"Although you cook well and have some strange abilities, you already have Miss Leng, and you and Aunt... In short, it's impossible between us!"

"You really have a high opinion of yourself, don't you think all men in the world are after you?" Zhong Wen laughed, "I'm just worried that with your weak strength and your family's immense wealth, you'll easily attract trouble. If something happens, it will not only endanger Old Master Shen but also make Sister Shangguan and Xiaowan worry. I just wanted to help you improve your cultivation, but you take it as a favor done in vain."

"You..." Shangguan Mingyue, who had never been spoken to like this, her eyes welled up, her chest heaving, and she reached out to return the bag to Zhong Wen, "I don't need your things."

Zhong Wen ignored her and instead handed her a black long stick: "Take this weapon too. Insert the spirit crystal, aim it at the enemy, and press the button. If it hits, even a Spirit Venerable expert will be in trouble."

"You..."

Before Shangguan Mingyue could say more, Zhong Wen rudely interrupted her: "When you reach the capital, remember to send a messenger bird to let us know you're safe. Take care, and don't bother to see me off!"

With that, he turned and walked back into Piaohua Palace without looking back.

"Wait!" Just as Zhong Wen was about to step through the gate, Shangguan Mingyue darted in front of him, handing him a green object, "I won't take your things for free. Keep this jade pendant."

"This is...?" Zhong Wen held the jade pendant, feeling its smooth and lustrous surface, and a faint warmth. He leaned in to smell it, and a faint fragrance filled his nostrils.

"This is proof of top-tier VIP status at the Shengyu Chamber of Commerce." Shangguan Mingyue's face turned red as Zhong Wen sniffed the jade pendant, "No matter where you are in the Dagan Empire, you can seek help from the Shengyu Chamber of Commerce using this jade pendant."

The act of giving the jade pendant seemed to have drained all of Shangguan Mingyue's energy. Without waiting for Zhong Wen's response, she turned and hurried down the mountain, not stopping for a moment.

It's just a VIP card, right? I'm already a VIP at the Shengyu Chamber of Commerce, what's so special about it? What a strange girl.

Zhong Wen, while complaining, put the jade pendant into his ring, completely unaware of the significance of the Shangguan family's personal jade pendant...