“Shangguan Qing'an, you finally decided to show yourself.”
Mu Zuo tightened his grip on the Ice Lotus, unleashing a powerful Spiritual Power around him.
A massive Long Sword appeared behind Mu Zuo, its metallic cry echoing through the heavens.
The Origin Power that Mu Zuo reached in the Fifth Realm Enlightenment Realm was precisely... the Long Sword Ice Lotus.
……
Jade City, City Lord's Mansion.
“Elder Brother Guan Bu, that Chu Canyuan must have used some dishonorable means.”
“How could Ye Jiangzhi, a powerhouse of the Third Realm, lose to him.”
Guan Bu closed his eyes tightly; he could not accept this fact.
“Ye Jiangzhi repeatedly guaranteed me that he could help me secure the position of Young City Lord, yet he couldn't even defeat a stinky brat who hasn't even grown out of his infancy.”
“Ye Jiangzhi has made me lose face in front of so many uncles today; he must give me an explanation.”
Qian Ge showed a hint of hesitation in her expression, and Guan Bu explained upon seeing this.
“I will wait until he wakes up before discussing this matter.”
“It’s just that Chu Canyuan is a bit strange; he is young, and his cultivation isn't high. If he used any dishonorable means, how could Father and the uncles present not notice?”
Guan Bu spoke with apprehension, “Could he be a disciple from some major Sect on a Descent Trial?”
Qian Ge looked at Guan Bu with a slight expectation, “Elder Brother Guan Bu, why don't I go and probe Chu Canyuan’s background.”
Guan Bu pondered for a moment and nodded slightly, “Very well. If he truly is from some major Sect, we shouldn't press the issue too much; we can just say that Third Brother was favored by heaven just this once.”
After a long while, once the congratulatory banquet dispersed and everyone left, the unconscious Ye Jiangzhi slowly opened his eyes. A sharp pain shot through his head. Ye Jiangzhi clutched his head and slowly sat up, leaning against the bedside.
“Second... Guan Bu?”
Guan Bu stood by the door, his back to Ye Jiangzhi.
“Brother Ye, with your strength, how could you possibly fail to deal with trash like Chu Canyuan.”
“You are a top talent in the Evil Demon Sect, ranked fifth. Isn't losing to him humiliating?”
Ye Jiangzhi clenched his fists and spoke with unwillingness.
“The one who defeated me wasn't him; it was the power of someone else.”
Guan Bu was somewhat surprised upon hearing this, “Someone else’s power? What do you mean by that, Brother Ye?”
Ye Jiangzhi closed his eyes and recalled, “He didn't block my final strike; it was the item in his embrace that saved his life.”
“The item in his embrace is terrifying. The Spiritual Power it erupted with at that moment was comparable to a strike from a Fifth Realm powerhouse, but I could sense that it wasn't its full power.”
“If the item in his embrace had unleashed its full Spiritual Power, I’m afraid…”
“I’m afraid I wouldn't be able to speak with you here now.”
Guan Bu listened to Ye Jiangzhi’s words and asked with suspicion.
“A Body Protecting Magic Treasure? One that is significantly stronger than mine. Could he really be a disciple from some major Sect on a journey?”
Ye Jiangzhi nodded lightly, “It’s not impossible. If that is the case, his Sect must not be ordinary.”
“Furthermore… he must be a core disciple of that Sect, otherwise he wouldn't be wearing such a high-grade Body Protecting Magic Treasure.”
Guan Bu fell silent upon hearing this, a trace of fear and hesitation arising in his heart.
“Damn it, how did Third Brother find such an opportunity? If I target them too aggressively, the Force behind Chu Canyuan might not back down so easily.”
“Even if I don't fear the power behind him, the Young City Lord Selection is approaching. I cannot allow any negative influence at this time.”
“Brother Ye, rest well and heal. I will personally investigate just what kind of person Chu Canyuan is.”
With that, Guan Bu left the room. Ye Jiangzhi grew increasingly curious about Chu Canyuan, touching his right arm, which had been scalded by the object in Chu Canyuan’s embrace, his eyes filled with hatred.
At the hour of Yin, Drunken Dream Pavilion.
The sound of a commotion woke the sleeping Chu Canyuan.
Opening the room door, Chu Canyuan looked down to see Qian Ge arguing with the madam of the Drunken Dream Pavilion in the main hall.
“Miss Qian Ge, Young Master Chu’s injuries have not yet healed, and he cannot receive visitors for the time being. Please understand, Miss Qian Ge.”
Qian Ge glanced at the madam haughtily.
“I already said, I brought medicinal herbs for Young Master Chu’s recovery. Just let me give them to him, and I will leave immediately.”
“Miss Qian Ge, just give us the medicine, and we will pass it on to Young Master Chu, and we will convey your good intentions to him.”
Just as Qian Ge was about to speak, Chu Canyuan used Sound Transmission.
“Let Miss Qian Ge come up; I am fine now.”
The madam had no choice but to yield. Qian Ge walked upstairs with a smug look.
After leading Qian Ge into the room, Chu Canyuan spoke guardedly.
“Why are you visiting me so late, Miss Qian Ge? It shouldn't just be to deliver medicine, right?”
Qian Ge placed the wooden box containing the Elixir on the table, then spoke with ill intent.
“What benefits did the Little Young Master give you? I will give you double, as long as you agree to give up on helping him.”
Chu Canyuan laughed somewhat speechlessly, “What, are you afraid your Elder Brother Guan Bu won't be able to secure the position of Young City Lord?”
Qian Ge became slightly annoyed, but looking at Chu Canyuan’s handsome face, she couldn't vent her anger.
“It has nothing to do with the Young City Lord. I am just afraid you will become a thorn in the side of Guan Bu and Ye Jiangzhi, which won't be good for your future path.”
“Unless…”
Chu Canyuan asked pretending to be curious, “Unless? Unless what?”
“Unless you have a background that they cannot afford to provoke.”
“Otherwise, if you anger Guan Bu, you won't live long.”
Chu Canyuan directly exposed Qian Ge’s intentions.
“Aren't you just here to probe my background and see if I have a powerful backer? If I do, we can just drop this matter.”
“If I don't…”
Qian Ge coughed, interrupting Chu Canyuan.
“If you don't, the name of my Tianxia Bank still carries some weight.”
Chu Canyuan raised an eyebrow. Seeing Qian Ge’s look of admiration towards him, he immediately understood everything.
“Miss Qian Ge, this is not a joke. I fear it will only make things worse.”
Seeing Chu Canyuan politely refuse her, Qian Ge was somewhat surprised and annoyed.
“Chu Canyuan, I am trying to help you!”
“I am the young mistress of a branch of the Tianxia Bank. Do you know how many noble sons come to propose marriage? And you dare to refuse me?”
Just as Chu Canyuan didn't know how to reply, Zhi Yu suddenly knocked on the door.
“Young Master Chu, Zhi Yu has something to discuss with you.”
Chu Canyuan quickly walked to the door, opened it, and spoke with an apologetic expression.
“I apologize, Miss Qian Ge. I have matters to attend to today, so please return first.”
Qian Ge glanced at Zhi Yu and stormed out of the room.
“Also, Miss Qian Ge, please relay to the Second Young Master that I will not abandon the Little Young Master.”
Chu Canyuan then invited Zhi Yu inside. Qian Ge, feeling somewhat curious, returned to the doorway of Chu Canyuan’s room and squatted down to eavesdrop on the sounds inside.
“Young Master Chu, I have already asked someone to find a grandmaster capable of Pill Refining, but…”
“But this Alchemist holds a high status, and with my standing, I simply cannot approach this person, let alone ask for their help in refining the Elixir.”
Chu Canyuan was deeply shocked. He hadn't expected the three sets of medicinal herbs he had written down to be so difficult to refine into Elixirs.
“Who did you find?”
Zhi Yu said solemnly, “Bu Celu from the Medicine Immortal Valley in Shuzhou.”