Chapter 370 - 173: Courted by the Guilds, In High Demand, A Mysterious Old Man, The Purple Mist School, Ascending Golden Turtle Island

Chapter 370: Chapter 173: Courted by the Guilds, In High Demand, A Mysterious Old Man, The Purple Mist School, Ascending Golden Turtle Island

’I finally managed to freeload my way in. I have to enjoy this to the fullest.’

After all, even for a blue-blooded young lady from a Grand Lineage...

A single table here cost dozens of taels of Red Gold...

’What kind of family could possibly afford this?!’

Beside them, Ye Ningzhi’s cheeks were puffed out with food, and she hadn’t said a word.

She trained diligently day and night and placed immense importance on consuming Spiritual Materials. The dishes at the Gourmet Pavilion were expensive, yes, but the quality was undeniable; they never served anything subpar.

Every supplementary Great Medicine in them would yield twice the results with half the effort for Bone Forging and Skin Refining.

For Ye Ningzhi, who had once been single-mindedly focused on becoming number one of her generation, it was only natural that she wouldn’t let a single scrap go to waste.

However, with Ji Xiu’s meteoric rise, her original desire to "avenge her Master’s Sect" had long been extinguished.

Especially after seeing Ye Luan at the Mansion Courtyard, defending Ji Xiu so fervently—all because of that Duan Chenzhou incident—Ye Ningzhi had spent the better part of the day silently grumbling about her master.

’Losing to him dozens of times? More like she was lining up for a one-sided beatdown.’

’And she nearly dragged me down with her!’

Ye Ningzhi took a bite of the plump, juicy Spirit Perch, licking her lips at its savory flavor.

But unlike the two who were simply there to eat, Di Yuan had been waiting for some time. When he saw Zhao Jiu raise his cup and break the ice, he instantly perked up. He turned to Ji Xiu, a wide smile spreading across his face.

"Yesterday, I heard all about your impressive deeds in the Mansion Courtyard from my younger cousin, Di Ying!"

"It’s a shame I graduated two years ago after completing my three years at the Mansion Courtyard. Otherwise, I could have witnessed your greatness firsthand."

"Brother Ji, you’ve been through so much turmoil, but despite the ups and downs, you’ve managed to firmly establish yourself."

"Living in the Prefecture City is no easy feat. Every inch of land is worth its weight in gold, and you can’t get anywhere without money."

"Your operation in Anning County is so extensive. Why not use the convenience of the Mountain Dao to transport the Great Medicines and precious materials from the mountains to sell here in the prefecture?"

"Before I came, my father told me that if we were to help you, Brother Ji, he would let you use our maritime shipping lanes and merchant vessels free of charge!"

Di Yuan proclaimed, patting his chest with conviction.

After he finished, Cai Ling’er set down her chopsticks.

"My grandfather said the same before I came. He told me to help you out however I can. If you find a plot of land you like and want to set up shop, I can give you the land titles for a few storefronts."

Hearing this, Ye Ningzhi wiped her mouth and raised her hand.

"My grandmother said the same thing. She even told me to invite you over for a visit when I have the chance."

The Wine Shop, the Post House, the Jade Shop, and the Embroidery Lineage!

These four were all titans in Jiangyin Prefecture, ranked among the Upper Nine Professions.

Their Lineage Masters had all achieved the Leakless realm. They were oligarchs who controlled entire sectors of Jiangyin’s commerce, and the gold that slipped through their fingers could rival the wealth of all Anning County.

But now, so many of these powerful figures were showing him favor, sending their own descendants with gifts to curry his favor...

This feeling of being the center of everyone’s attention was truly gratifying.

Ji Xiu smiled but only accepted Di Yuan’s offer of cooperation.

This was because the Post House could open up a trade route from Anning County to Jiangyin Prefecture.

If he could start selling goods from the Earth Dragon Cave—which might now produce Spiritual Objects after being exposed to the recovering Spiritual Qi from the Outer Dao Rift—he would establish a foothold and an industry in the prefecture.

Within the prefecture’s territory, he would no longer be a drifter without a foundation.

Ji Xiu’s response brought a look of delight to Di Yuan’s face.

This was, without a doubt, a losing deal. After all, his family was providing the manpower and resources without earning a single coin. They were taking a massive loss...

But!

What is the essence of business? It’s investment!

The Great Lineage Masters of the Thirty-Six Professions, and their ancestors before them, had all started this way, without exception.

Ji Xiu had already demonstrated his value in spades.

He was now the Prefecture Chief of the Jiangyin Prefecture Courtyard, favored by the Dean, had caught the eye of the Marquis Daughter, and wore the Immortal Robe. Attaining the Three Limits was only a matter of time.

What did that make him? A walking goldmine!

’Cooperating with a man like this, forging even a small connection... in three or five years, when he becomes a Grandmaster, reaches the Leakless realm, presides over his own Grand Lineage, and becomes a Great Lineage Master...’

’The hidden benefits that would come as his status soared would be immeasurable!’

For a time, the mood was festive, with both host and guests enjoying themselves immensely. But just then...

BANG!

The door to their private room was suddenly flung open. A gray figure stumbled in, saw the exquisite dishes on the table, and his eyes lit up. He immediately reached out to grab the nearest plate.

This act sent Zhao Jiu, the host, into a rage. He felt he had lost face completely.

"Where did this old lunatic come from? Daring to cause a scene at Master Jiu’s banquet? You must have a death wish!"

"Elder Liang? Where’s Elder Liang?"

"Weren’t you standing guard at the door? How could you let this mad..."

Before he could finish, Elder Liang appeared at the doorway, grimacing with a fresh bruise on his forehead. He looked on the verge of tears.

"Master Jiu, it’s not that I didn’t try to stop him... I couldn’t!"

Ji Xiu’s brow furrowed. He watched the disheveled old man with a basket on his back who had just barged in, and his heart skipped a beat. He couldn’t sense the man’s depth at all.

Just as he was about to say something...

The old man, his mouth dripping with grease from his chewing, suddenly looked up and saw him. The old man’s eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands.

"Found you! It’s you!"

Before Ji Xiu could even process the meaning of his words...

The old man’s aura changed in a flash. His eyes suddenly grew profound as he took a heavy step forward and grabbed Ji Xiu’s wrist, his gaze as sharp as a lion’s.

"You really have learned the Great Five Decline Celestial Saber!"

"Even if it’s the incomplete version, the fact that you’ve mastered it means there is a successor! I will teach you the rest!"