Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

Behind Wu Yehua stood an elder at the middle stage of Core Formation, swaggering up to Guo Wanzhi.

First, he glanced at Guo Wanzhi with a smile, then his gaze swept over the elder tributor of Si Shui Commerce Association and Li Ji’an behind her.

With his Fake Pill cultivation, under normal circumstances, he should be respectful and perform junior rites when meeting a mid-stage Core Formation True Man.

However, in the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain, as the son of a major commerce association, he didn’t particularly care about mid-stage Core Formation True Men, especially since his association had plenty of tributors, including one specifically responsible for his protection.

Additionally, over the past two years, the situation with Fierce Tiger Commerce Association has boosted Jinhua Commerce Association’s status considerably, allowing them to absorb quite a few extraordinarily talented Immortal Seedlings.

It is foreseeable that in the near future, the strength of Jinhua Commerce Association’s tributors will rise to another level, potentially having an Ascendant-level tributor.

”Young Master Wu, please mind your conduct!” The elder tributor of Si Shui Commerce Association stepped forward, blocking in front of Guo Wanzhi.

Guo Wanzhi is the Chief Alchemist of Si Shui Commerce Association, and during this trip, the elder tributor is also responsible for her safety.

Without waiting for Wu Yehua to speak, the mid-stage Core Formation tributor behind him also stepped forward to face the elder tributor of Si Shui Commerce Association: ”Let us old folks not meddle in the young master’s and Fairy Guo’s matters.”

”Elder Mo, let’s not ruin the peace.” Guo Wanzhi restrained her emotions and took a step forward, smiling at Wu Yehua.

Currently, Nine Tripods Commerce Association is waning while Fierce Tiger Commerce Association is thriving. Being a supporter of Nine Tripods Commerce Association, Si Shui Commerce Association is more weakened in the face of Jinhua Commerce Association, as Jinhua Commerce Association constantly seeks opportunities to suppress Si Shui Commerce Association. Naturally, she does not wish to cause trouble for Si Shui Commerce Association because of herself.

”What does Young Master Wu seek from me?”

Wu Yehua felt a tinge of disappointment. Being the son of Jinhua Commerce Association, he did not lack female companionship. Even though Guo Wanzhi’s appearance was fine, it did not merit such effort; his current behavior was merely to find a pretext to trouble Si Shui Commerce Association.

Regrettably, the Guo Wanzhi before him was not foolish.

”Hehe, of course, I’m captivated by the fairy’s peerless beauty and desire to form a century-long union with her.”

”Young Master Wu, don’t jest. My looks are ordinary, and I have been long accompanied by the Pill Furnace, with a bitter medicinal scent all over me—how could I possibly attract the young master’s attention?” Guo Wanzhi chuckled self-deprecatingly.

”I am not joking. Soon, I will have my father prepare betrothal gifts to send to Si Shui Commerce Association.” Wu Yehua said earnestly.

”Enough, let’s stop joking, to be honest, I already have a dao companion, such jokes cannot be made lightly.” Guo Wanzhi gritted her teeth and said.

...

Watching their dialogue, Li Ji’an secretly shook his head.

He had been with Wu Yehua for two years and somewhat understood his temperament and thoughts, clearly seeing the conflict between Si Shui Commerce Association and Jinhua Commerce Association, quickly discerning his intentions.

”Is Jinhua Commerce Association truly this indulgent with its profligate sons?” Not wanting to see Guo Wanzhi in an embarrassing situation, and also to represent Nine Tripods Commerce Association’s support for Si Shui Commerce Association, beneficial to Tong Yaoyao’s competition for Alliance Leader, Li Ji’an lightly shouted, his face unpleasant as he stared at Wu Yehua.

The sudden release of mid-stage Core Formation aura made the tributor next to Wu Yehua tense.

However, Wu Yehua secretly rejoiced; the bait was taken.

”Are you a tributor of Si Shui Commerce Association? To dare speak to me like this, are you trying to start a war with our Jinhua Commerce Association?” He deliberately provoked Li Ji’an, wanting to escalate this minor conflict into a larger issue between the two commerce associations.

”Bam~” However, Li Ji’an did not engage in verbal sparring as he wished. Instantly, he condensed his magical power into a hand seal, slapping him away.

His swift action and the refinement of the magical power were so precise that Jinhua Commerce Association’s tributor could not react.

”How dare you! Does Si Shui Commerce Association truly want to start a war with our Jinhua Commerce Association?” Until Wu Yehua was sent flying, he burst out with magical power and shouted.

In his heart, he rejoiced, as the goal was achieved.

This slap from the young master was worth it!

However, the next moment, Li Ji’an had already displayed his Nine Tripods Commerce Association tributor token.

”You... You’re a tributor of Nine Tripods Commerce Association?” The opponent was stunned.

Wu Yehua clutched his face, spitting out a mouthful of blood, his skin twitching.

Wasn’t Nine Tripods Commerce Association already in decline for two years? How did they suddenly align with Si Shui Commerce Association?

”Hmph! As a member of the Business Alliance, this matter requires an explanation from Jinhua Commerce Association!” Li Ji’an coldly snorted, simultaneously amplifying his voice with magical power, resonating throughout the city.

Just a moment ago, a sudden insight made him realize he could use this incident with Jinhua Commerce Association to assist Tong Yaoyao in her quest for Alliance Leader.

Two years ago, facing the two fierce tigers, Fierce Tiger Commerce Association and Taian Commerce Association, Li Ji’an advised Tong Yaoyao to step back and watch the tigers fight.

The results were evident. Over the past two years, the competition between the two tigers not only exhausted the strength of each commerce association but also gradually revealed the facade they had maintained within the alliance for years.

The dispute inevitably affected other alliance members. Some commerce associations harbored resentment, longing for the days when Nine Tripods Commerce Association held the helm, which was advantageous for Tong Yaoyao’s plans.

However, things have duality. Although Nine Tripods Commerce Association avoided being besieged by the two tigers over the past two years, they also became too subdued. Combined with Tong Yaoyao’s new appointment, some commerce associations were unsure of her temperament, fearing she truly lacked ambition in the contest, not daring to rashly support her.

Now, with the final election approaching, Tong Yaoyao seeks stability, so she had Li Ji’an secretly connect and rally support, yet inadvertently overlooked whether Nine Tripods Commerce Association’s prestige had waned.

Li Ji’an’s consideration might still be naive, assuming that commerce associations originally aligned with Nine Tripods Commerce Association would unhesitatingly support her, hence only instructing Li Ji’an to connect with other neutral commerce associations for votes.

But in reality, it’s human nature to take from the lesser and offer to the more. Those former supporters of Nine Tripods Commerce Association advocated because Nine Tripods Commerce Association was strong at the time. After two years of decline, intentionally showing weakness, if these former supporters truly believed they were weak, they would unhesitatingly turn to the stronger.

Therefore, he needs to take advantage of this incident, leveraging his own strength under the banner of Nine Tripods Commerce Association, to re-establish their reputational power.

Just as well, using his and Guo Wanzhi’s relationship as the pretext, preventing Fierce Tiger Commerce Association and Taian Commerce Association from definitively recognizing it as Tong Yaoyao’s scheme.

To gain a substantial amount of High Tier Spiritual Talent after Tong Yaoyao takes the Alliance Leader position, he’s willing to invest some effort in this minor matter; otherwise, his Golden Core Cultivation in this domain cannot advance.

”Ping’an!” Guo Wanzhi felt uneasy inside, afraid the incident might affect Li Ji’an’s future, as this was the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain, and the Eighteen Merchants Association was the true overlord.

Although Li Ji’an is a tributor of Nine Tripods Commerce Association, the new Patriarch of Nine Tripods Commerce Association has been in decline for two years, and regardless of their status in the business alliance, their power is not as great as before. As Jinhua Commerce Association is a loyal supporter of Fierce Tiger Commerce Association, once Fierce Tiger Commerce Association assumes the Alliance Leader position, Nine Tripods Commerce Association might not risk offense over a tributor.

”Senior Brother is indeed so domineering now!” Yao Rui stood at the back, catching her breath, her eyes admiring and envying as she gazed at Li Ji’an’s high and cold wrath.

”Fellow Daoist Chang’an, calm your anger. Please forgive our oversight, we did not know you were a tributor of Nine Tripods Commerce Association. This was our mistake. Yehua, quickly come and apologize to the elder!” Jinhua Commerce Association’s tributor’s thoughts churned rapidly, he immediately found a relatively appropriate course of action.

No matter what happens after Fierce Tiger Commerce Association assumes leadership, right now, Jinhua Commerce Association certainly cannot match Nine Tripods Commerce Association in strength.

Moreover, there is a concern that Jinhua Commerce Association might be the example used by the dormant Nine Tripods Commerce Association to demonstrate their prowess.