After several rounds of back-and-forth, Li Rong—whose mechanized mind enhancement had yet to expire—remained completely unmoved. His stance was ironclad, his pricing absolute. Qian Renxue ultimately had no choice but to withdraw for the time being.
However, retreat did not mean giving up.
That Energy Bead was something she had to obtain.
She possessed a Spirit Bone—and not just any Spirit Bone, but a skull bone. This meant that the path of self-ascension to godhood was effectively closed to her. Becoming a god through faith was even more impossible; such a route would directly conflict with the Angel God worshipped by the Qian family.
There was only one road left.
Inheritance.
If she wanted to avoid sacrificing her grandfather during the Angel Nine Trials, then before initiating the trials… she had to gather 4.8 million sacrificial coins.
Standing beneath the towering palace walls, Qian Renxue lifted her gaze toward the depths of the imperial city. Her expression was calm, but her eyes were cold and resolute.
Since continuing as an undercover agent no longer held real value, she would use the identity of Xue Qinghe one final time—
—and make a truly enormous harvest.
While Qian Renxue returned to make arrangements, Li Rong finally enjoyed a brief moment of peace. He exhaled slowly, allowing the tension in his shoulders to ease.
Just as he was about to lean back into his lounge chair—
A commotion erupted outside the shop.
Li Rong's eyelid twitched.
Seeing yet another wave of customers about to enter, he could only abandon the chair once more and return to his post behind the counter, mentally reminding himself that opening a shop really wasn't as easy as it sounded.
Elsewhere, after Ning Fengzhi and Dugu Bo reached an agreement on the medicinal fields, Ning Fengzhi's sharp business instincts immediately began seeking further cooperation. His goal was simple: bind Dugu Bo completely to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School through shared利益.
Thus, after leaving the imperial palace, Ning Fengzhi shamelessly followed Dugu Bo all the way to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, volunteering to help tidy up the medicinal garden.
Although his heart ached with greed at the sight of herbs that hadn't yet been harvested, Ning Fengzhi was not the sort to steal behind someone's back. He worked honestly alongside Chen Xin and Dugu Yan, reorganizing the field and transplanting herbs away from the core area.
"This environment truly is harsh," Chen Xin said after dusting off his hands, glancing at the bizarre landscape split between searing heat and biting cold. "Without sufficient cultivation, one wouldn't last long here."
"On the contrary," Ning Fengzhi replied thoughtfully, "isn't this an excellent place to temper a Spirit Master's physique and spirit power control?"
He gestured toward Dugu Yan.
Though she had been uncomfortable at first, she had already adapted. Spirit power flowed steadily around her body, forming a protective barrier that minimized the influence of the temperature extremes.
Ning Fengzhi's eyes burned with envy.
If he possessed such precise control, he wouldn't be completely helpless in battle.
Unable to resist, he approached to ask for guidance—only for Dugu Yan to shake her head apologetically.
"I can't teach this," she explained. "It's something I naturally comprehended after being imbued with the Green Snake Principle. Grandpa might understand it, but I can't pass it on."
The more envious Ning Fengzhi became, the calmer his expression grew.
Impatience never yields good results.
Once the medicinal field was fully organized, the group finally rested.
"Old Poison," Ning Fengzhi said with a sigh, "your luck truly defies reason. Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has bordered the Sunset Forest for ten thousand years and never discovered this treasure land."
Dugu Bo laughed heartily. His lifelong poison affliction was gone, his heart knot untied, and his strength soaring.
"Jealous? Envious?"
Chen Xin had nothing to say.
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly. "This treasure land belongs to Brother Dugu by right. Our school merely lacked the fortune. However—"
He paused.
"There is another artificial treasure land I don't wish to miss."
Dugu Bo frowned. "Speak plainly."
"Has Brother Dugu heard of the Blacksmiths' Association?"
"The one in Gengxin City?"
"Precisely," Ning Fengzhi nodded. "It is the holy land of blacksmiths. Due to massive ore consumption, they purchase huge quantities of both ordinary and rare metals each year. Many bring rare ores there hoping for a high price."
Dugu Bo's eyes lit up instantly. "You want to gather ores in advance?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled.
"If we're doing this—why not acquire the entire Blacksmiths' Association?"
The proposal stunned the others.
"I'll provide the funds and land," Ning Fengzhi continued steadily. "We invite the Association to relocate completely into Seven Treasure territory and build an entire city dedicated to blacksmiths."
"A forging competition every three years. Champion prize: one million gold coins and the title Divine Craftsman. Top ten: one hundred thousand each. Top hundred: ten thousand each."
"I want blacksmiths across the continent to converge there. Whether they come for fame or gold doesn't matter—only that the momentum becomes unstoppable."
Dugu Bo understood immediately. "So anyone selling rare ores will go there."
"Exactly."
Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes. "You want me involved because Spirit Hall won't stay idle."
"Yes," Ning Fengzhi admitted. "Gengxin City lies within Spirit Hall territory. I need you to stand at the front."
"And profit division?"
"Nine to one," Ning Fengzhi replied. "The school covers everything else."
"Only one tenth?"
Ning Fengzhi's voice sharpened. "This isn't your medicinal garden."
Dugu Bo laughed. "Relax. I was joking."
"Then let's go to Gengxin City," Ning Fengzhi said immediately.
Before leaving, Dugu Bo turned to Dugu Yan. "Academy or Gengxin City?"
"The academy," she replied eagerly. She couldn't wait to tell her teammates about today.
What if their families also found fortune at Boss Li's shop?
With a protective spirit shield, Dugu Bo vanished in a blur, leaving Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin stunned.
Chen Xin sighed. "He's terrifying now."
"The stronger he is," Ning Fengzhi replied calmly, "the safer we are."
After a moment, Chen Xin muttered, "I suspect he's already approaching level ninety-nine."
"Then it's not just the techniques," Ning Fengzhi said quietly.
"It's the Sacrificial Dao Lord."
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