Chapter 488: Chapter 15: Jinhua Commerce Association (Part 2)
The reason why the Si Shui Commerce Association was able to compete for the host position of this session’s Commerce Alliance auction was actually because of Guo Wanzhi.
In the intelligence sent to him by Wu Yehua’s spy, it was revealed that Guo Wanzhi was personally taken to the Nine Tripods Commerce Association headquarters in Feihong Immortal City by Master Yuxiao two years ago.
Afterward, there was a clear change in the Nine Tripods Commerce Association’s attitude towards the Si Shui Commerce Association.
According to fragmented information obtained from some maids at the Nine Tripods Commerce Association, it was learned that someone within the current ruling branch of the Nine Tripods Commerce Association seemed to have an old connection with Guo Wanzhi’s master.
Li Ji’an could imagine the psychological journey Guo Wanzhi went through at the Nine Tripods Commerce Association.
At first, she must have been extremely nervous, as she believed her identity was false and feared exposure, but to stay at the Si Shui Commerce Association, she had no choice but to brace herself.
Later, when the Nine Tripods Commerce Association saw the Pill Master Honored Guest Elder jade token from his previous life, they would naturally connect with those who had gone with Tong Xiangyu to the Golden Splendor Immortal City at that time.
Although a hundred and seventy years had passed, there must still be some old members of the commerce association who knew "Li Fan" from his previous life.
They would instantly recognize the identity of "Li Fan."
When Guo Wanzhi heard the name "Li Fan," she must have been utterly shocked.
She never imagined that her identity was actually real.
Nor did she expect that her master from the Biyun Sect was once a Pill Master Honored Guest Elder of the Nine Tripods Commerce Association.
According to what she had learned in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain over the past three years, Tong Yaoyao’s lineage now holds significant influence in the Nine Tripods Commerce Association.
Tong Yaoyao had even returned to the Biyun Sect in the Celestial Cyan Domain more than seventy years ago to look for the old acquaintance "Li Fan."
Therefore, the Nine Tripods Commerce Association would certainly not treat Guo Wanzhi, this disciple of an old acquaintance, unfavorably.
"However... why didn’t they keep Wanzhi? Or was it that the conditions offered by Master Yuxiao were too good?" Li Ji’an had considered that perhaps he should reveal his "Li Ping’an" identity and join the Nine Tripods Commerce Association.
After all, their position as Commerce Alliance Leader might be more prestigious.
But considering that the treatment he received from the Si Shui Commerce Association was currently more than sufficient, and they even helped him apply to the Feihong Dao Field, he decided to hold off for now.
Besides, there’s a fear of falling from high places. Although the Nine Tripods Commerce Association is currently at its peak, it’s uncertain if the internal strife might be more intense.
"No rush, let’s talk about it later!" Suppressing this thought, Li Ji’an continued to meditate with his eyes closed. The most crucial task now was to ensure that Gugu could successfully break through to Tier Three in half a year.
That evening, Wu Yehua and his party set off to return to the Golden Radiance Immortal City on Treasure Bottle Continent.
Just as they left Tiger Roar Immortal City, Li Ji’an sensed Bai Cailin’s covert watch, but due to the two early-stage True Core tributers from the Jinhua Commerce Association accompanying them as guards, she did not show herself.
Subsequently, there were no further incidents, and they arrived safely two months later.
Being two great Immortal Cities on the Treasure Bottle Continent, the Golden Radiance Immortal City’s location for the Jinhua Commerce Association is only a half-month’s journey from the Cold Smoke Immortal City where the Si Shui Commerce Association is stationed; if a True Pill Master flew with full speed, they could arrive in six or seven days.
The two Immortal Cities are about the same size, but the Jinhua Commerce Association has a deeper foundation with more high-tier spiritual resources.
"Brother Liu, please wait here while I go to see my father first." Entering the headquarters of the Jinhua Commerce Association, Wu Yehua instructed the servants to treat Li Ji’an well before hurriedly going in to see the president of the commerce association.
In terms of cultivation power, the Jinhua Commerce Association’s high-levels are a bit higher than those of the Si Shui Commerce Association, but not by much; their president had formed a lower-level True Core back in the day and, even after more than four hundred years, has yet to break through to the middle stage of Core Formation.
As for tributer strength, it is said there is a peak late-stage True Core Ascendant, but their tenure as a tributer is only twenty years, and the Jinhua Commerce Association has always considered them a deterrent, never letting them take action, as they have been cultivating in the Central Ten Domains all year round.
The usual resident forces in the commerce association are still mainly early to middle-stage True Core cultivators.
"Fellow Daoist Fatty, was it you who saved my fifth brother?" It wasn’t long before a joyful voice was heard.
Then a young woman, who appeared to be about seventeen or eighteen but whose actual bone age was around thirty, came running out cheerfully.
Li Ji’an frowned slightly, but then let it go.
His current disguise was in the appearance of Liu Qingyun, which indeed deserved the title ’Fat Daoist.’
"I am not fat, just a bit sturdy!"
"Hehe~ Fellow Daoist is quite humorous." Wu Miaozhen lightly covered her cherry lips, laughing heartily.
"I am Wu Miaozhen, younger sister of Xiaohua, grateful to you for saving my life."
Li Ji’an glanced at her, accepted her bow, and casually cupped his hands: "I am Liu Qingyun, an outsider cultivator."
"Fellow Daoist Liu, I heard that you, in the Foundation Establishment realm, reversed and killed a True Man, and it was even a Sword Cultivator known for its killing prowess from Yellow Springs Prison. Could that be true?" Wu Miaozhen, naturally outgoing, immediately leaned on the table in front of Li Ji’an, excitedly inquiring.
Li Ji’an slightly leaned back, maintaining his distance: "I don’t have such great abilities, it was just a Fake Pill True Man already heavily wounded by Fellow Daoist Wu’s secret treasure."
"That’s still really impressive! I’ve always heard that the Earth-level assassins from Yellow Springs Prison are terrific and have even killed True Pie Masters before." Wu Miaozhen, in her excitement, inadvertently leaned closer to Li Ji’an.
Li Ji’an no longer avoided her, only observing the young Wu Miaozhen in front of him with perplexed curiosity.
As previously understood from the data, she has not yet reached Foundation Establishment and is currently at the peak of Qi Cultivation.
Moreover, sensing up close, it is evident that her foundational practices in Qi Cultivation are very solid, and without using a Foundation Establishment Pill, she has a sure chance.
He couldn’t understand why she hadn’t progressed to Foundation Establishment yet.
Of course, sooner or later doesn’t really matter.
The Ten Thousand Merchants Domain is different from the Celestial Cyan Domain.
And her status doesn’t require hastened displays of strength to fight for more resources.
"Rumors are not always reliable!" Li Ji’an said indifferently.
"Is that so? Then, Fellow Daoist Liu, do you think that Earth-level assassin could possibly kill a True Pill Master?" Wu Miaozhen, her face showing a trace of disappointment, asked again.
"I can’t judge!" Li Ji’an casually replied.
"Fellow Daoist Liu, just tell me!" Wu Miaozhen directly held onto Li Ji’an’s arm, shaking it playfully.
Li Ji’an immediately withdrew his arm, a slight trace of annoyance on his face: "Please, mind your manners, Fellow Daoist!"
It’s common courtesy among cultivators to avoid physical contact.
Once contact is made, many Breath Concealment techniques might be exposed.
Of course, with Li Ji’an’s peak mid-stage True Core Divine Sense, this wasn’t a concern.
He simply adhered to standard cultivator customs.
"Hmm?" Suddenly, as he retracted his hand, Li Ji’an felt a sharp movement in his heart.
His Sea of Consciousness keenly sensed an unfamiliar energy wave intruding upon their contact.
This energy was very unfamiliar, neither qi nor magical power, more like a Divine Soul, yet different from that of the Human Race’s cultivators.
Moreover, its intensity exceeded anything he had encountered before.
Even surpassing Ning Sujin’s Primordial Spirit.
In an instant, Li Ji’an’s heart leapt to his throat, and he became fully alert against this female cultivator who hadn’t even reached Foundation Establishment yet.
"Miaozhen, do not disrespect our benefactor!" At this moment, a group of people entered with long strides.
The leader was quite plump, resembling a double-sized Liu Qingyun, sporting an exceptionally amiable smile that appeared harmless, with his magical power concealed to the utmost so that Li Ji’an didn’t feel a hint of True Pill Master’s pressure. He was the leader of the Jinhua Commerce Association—Wu Yishan.
"Wu extends his gratitude to the benefactor for saving my son’s life!" Wu Yishan entered and gave a salute to Li Ji’an.
Li Ji’an quickly calmed himself and returned the courtesy: "President Wu overpraises me; I was only acting for the rewards promised by Fellow Daoist Wu."
"Hahaha, regardless, it was Fellow Daoist Liu who saved Xiaohua. Xiaohua, quickly fulfill your promise." Wu Yishan beamed as he spoke.
Even towards Wu Yehua, he showed nothing but smiles.
However, Li Ji’an had long noticed the slap marks under Wu Yehua’s disguise, and his expression was more pained than crying.
Immediately, Wu Yehua forced a smile and solemnly presented a storage pouch: "Brother Liu, this is the promised reward for saving my life, totaling 150,000 Spirit Stones, please accept it with a smile."
A glint of delight flashed in Li Ji’an’s eyes as he unceremoniously accepted it.
And right before the few of them, he carefully counted the Spirit Stones.
This action caused Wu Yehua to break into a sweat, but standing beside them, Wu Yishan nodded slightly.
