Niluo City lies in the northern part of Jiangbai Continent, the continent where Lake Reflection City is located. It is most well known for its tranquil surroundings.
There are mountains and water, the climate is pleasant, the city covers a vast area, and it is prosperous.
The reason Ning Zhishui came here is because this is where Shenfeng Valley is located.
The Yaoyu Continent consists of three continents: Jiangbai Continent, Cangqing Continent, and Moxuan Continent.
Across these three continents there are eleven of the most powerful factions, collectively known as Five Families, Three Sects, Two Clans, and One Valley.
They are the five great families Chen, Xue, Jin, Guo, and Yue, the three sects Zhengyang Sect, Guiyuan Sect, and Xianlai Sect, the two clans Xuanji and Dongfang, and Shenfeng Valley, also called the Hidden Valley.
Hidden Valley is the name Shenfeng Valley uses externally. It is not that they wished to be called this, but because the world only heard of a certain valley without knowing its true name or location. Over time it came to be known simply as the Hidden Valley.
Mystery is Shenfeng Valley’s greatest trait. The other trait is wealth.
They are rich beyond measure.
And right now, what the Ning family lacks most is money.
For cultivators, the importance of money goes without saying. Money can buy spiritual pills and miraculous medicines. It can purchase heavenly materials and earthly treasures. It can accelerate cultivation and save time.
In other words, money can buy cultivation level, and cultivation level equals strength plus lifespan. Therefore money equals strength plus lifespan.
If one wants to earn enough money in the shortest possible time, enough to set the entire Ning family back on track, relying on small scale business is completely insufficient.
Since that is the case, the only option is to seek out the wealthy and take advantage of an opportunity.
Ning Zhishui had suggested to her little aunt that they sell more Bright Moon Gauze early and stockpile more Blue Tail Stone Fish blood. However, after saying it, she realized the feasibility was too low.
The Ning family does not have that much capital, nor would they be willing to invest all of it into such business.
If they invested only a small amount, the profit would not be enough to support the whole family.
So she could only find another path.
“This place is quite beautiful. Shenfeng Valley really knows how to choose a location. It is much better than those other great families.”
After leaving the teleportation hall, Ning Zhishui wandered around the city for a while.
Lake Reflection City is a small city and does not have a direct teleportation array, forcing her to travel to a neighboring city first before coming to Niluo City.
But after taking a look around, she understood why Shenfeng Valley chose to settle here.
As she strolled, she saw a very large shop. It was four stories high, larger than most inns.
The entire building was decorated in gold, with the three characters Color Treasure Pavilion written above. Everything from inside to outside glittered brilliantly.
So gaudy. Who would have thought that this Color Treasure Pavilion was actually Shenfeng Valley’s business.
Stepping inside, she saw that the goods were arranged in perfect order. Customers quietly selected their desired items, and there was hardly any noise.
“This fellow cultivator, may I ask what you need?”
A beautiful maid approached with a smile.
Not only was she beautiful, she was also in the Qi Condensation Realm, yet she was merely a clerk here.
“I have business with your Pavilion Master. Please inform him,” Ning Zhishui said.
The maid looked surprised but nodded. “Very well. Please follow me to the reception room and wait.”
She led Ning Zhishui to the third floor, served tea, then asked, “May I ask what matter brings you to see the Pavilion Master? I must report it first. Please forgive any offense.”
A young girl from nowhere could not possibly meet the Pavilion Master without providing something of value. Even distinguished guests must first prove their status.
“You only need to say that it concerns Young Master Ying,” Ning Zhishui replied.
The maid did not know much. Hearing the name, she looked confused, clearly unfamiliar with it. Still, she noted it down and withdrew.
Only a short while passed, so short that Ning Zhishui had taken just two sips of tea, when hurried footsteps sounded outside the door.
More than one person.
The footsteps stopped abruptly. Someone knocked lightly before pushing the door open.
Ning Zhishui turned and met the gaze of a young man with refined and noble features, his expression anxious.
Behind him stood a well fed middle aged man with sharp eyes. He too looked anxious.
“This fellow cultivator, do you know Ying’s whereabouts?” the young man asked.
“Young Master Chen, do not be anxious. Let us sit and speak,” said the Pavilion Master, who was the middle aged man.
Young Master Chen steadied himself, nodded, and sat opposite Ning Zhishui.
The Pavilion Master then took a seat at the side and cupped his hands with a smile. “May I ask how this fellow cultivator should be addressed?”
“Ning.”
“Fellow Cultivator Ning, I am the Pavilion Master of Color Treasure Pavilion, Jin Chengfu. You sent word that the matter concerns Young Master Ying. Have you seen him?”
At this moment Ning Zhishui inwardly sighed. She had not expected that a direct young master of Shenfeng Valley would also be here.
What a coincidence.
Young Master Chen had a scholarly air and a gentle demeanor. He wore a white jade crown. His robe bore patterns of bamboo leaves against a cold mountain background, and the cuffs were embroidered with trailing vines and falling butterflies.
The ring on his hand was deep brown with a faint hint of blood red. It was undoubtedly a top grade storage ring.
Wealthy. Extremely wealthy.
With just a glance, Ning Zhishui knew he must be of the direct lineage, not some ordinary member of Shenfeng Valley.
“I do know some things about Young Master Ying. By the way, may I ask who you are?” she asked.
“I am Yan Chen, Qianying’s second brother.”
Yan Chen raised his hand and saluted her.
He did not neglect her despite her young age and low cultivation. His bearing was elegant and refined, every movement exuding the aura of a noble young master.
So he is the Second Young Master.
Ning Zhishui nodded, but his gesture caused her to fall briefly into a daze.
Shenfeng Valley’s six young masters are all outstanding and remarkably handsome. The valley raised them well. Despite their noble birth and prominent background, none developed any ill habits. Their reputation outside is excellent.
She faintly saw Qianying’s shadow in Yan Chen. Though that man had been sickly, his every movement flowed like clouds and water, beautiful as a painting.
If she saved him earlier in this life, would he avoid severe damage and no longer remain that frail invalid?
“Miss Ning…”
Seeing her lost in thought, Yan Chen raised his voice slightly.
“Oh, apologies.”
Ning Zhishui set down her teacup. “Regarding Young Master Ying, I must speak with the Valley Master.”
Her words made both men look at each other in surprise.
“You wish to see the Valley Master?” Pavilion Master Jin’s expression turned strange.
The Valley Master’s reputation outside is not very good. It is said he is a bloodthirsty old monster with a terrible temper.
This delicate young girl dared to say she wanted to see him the moment she opened her mouth. Where did she get such courage?
“Yes,” Ning Zhishui nodded.
“But my master left a few days ago and is not currently in the valley,” Yan Chen frowned anxiously. “Since this concerns Qianying’s safety, the sooner it is resolved the better. Miss Ning, if you trust me, you may tell me as well.”
Previously, the cover was not eye-catching enough, so it was deliberately changed to a higher saturation one.