Chu Xuan was slightly surprised. Ning Tai was willing to help him proactively. Could there be some ulterior motive behind this?

At the thought, Chu Xuan couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Not everyone was scheming to such a degree. It was normal for Ning Tai to want to return the favor, especially after Chu Xuan had helped rescue his grandson, Ning Wangyuan. There was no hidden agenda here.

Chu Xuan cupped his hands and said, "Then I'll leave it to you, Fellow Daoist Ning."

Ning Tai waved his hand dismissively, "It's no trouble at all. Fellow Daoist helped me save Wangyuan, so this is what I should do. If anything happens to me in the future, I hope Fellow Daoist can take care of my grandson."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly, "I will help him within my abilities."

Both sides parted ways amicably. After a hearty meal, Ning Tai and his grandson, Ning Wangyuan, stood up and bid their farewells with a clasped fist.

Once they were out of earshot, Ning Wangyuan whispered, "Grandfather, what level of cultivation is this He Liang?"

Ning Tai nodded thoughtfully, "Probably mid-stage Nascent Soul."

Ning Wangyuan frowned. "Ah? That doesn't seem very strong. I noticed you seemed interested in befriending him."

Ning Tai smiled, "Wangyuan, you need to understand, not everyone reveals their true strength on the surface."

Ning Wangyuan was taken aback. "So, you can tell he's hiding something?"

Ning Tai shook his head with a smile, "Not exactly. I'm no Deity Transformation expert, how could I see through the true strength of someone at the same cultivation level?"

Ning Wangyuan was puzzled. "Then why are you willing to pass on Elder Zhu's shop to him at a low price?"

Ning Tai chuckled, "I just feel that this person is extraordinary, though I can't pinpoint why. I've met many people in my life, and those like He Liang, I've seen before. Without exception, they live a long time. For cultivators like us, living long means we have the chance to ascend to higher paths."

Ning Wangyuan fell silent, pondering his grandfather's words.

Ning Tai laughed heartily, "Come on, your talisman path still needs more practice. I'm shameless enough to convince Old Ghost Song to teach you for ten years. Go study under him well."

"Yes," Ning Wangyuan said gratefully, nodding in agreement.

...

Meanwhile, Chu Xuan had roughly figured out Ning Tai's intentions.

It was clear that Ning Tai was hoping that, after he passed away, Chu Xuan would look after his grandson.

"Poor parents everywhere…" Chu Xuan sighed softly.

Though Ning Tai was not Ning Wangyuan's father, his concern was even deeper than that of many parents.

Chu Xuan then took out a storage bag and tossed it over.

He Zhao quickly caught it, and as his spiritual sense entered the bag, a look of delight appeared on his face.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"Senior, do you want me to…?"

Chu Xuan smiled lightly. "Inside, there's a jade slip with spiritual sense; it contains the list of the required spiritual herbs. Help me purchase the herbs and pick a few loyal and capable cultivators. In the future, when I start managing the shop, one or two people won't be enough."

He Zhao excitedly nodded. "Yes! I will not disappoint Senior's trust!"

He bowed deeply to Chu Xuan and quickly left, clearly heading off to use his connections.

Such matters were best left to He Zhao, allowing Chu Xuan not to waste time on trivialities. After all, every profession had its own specialized path. He Zhao might even do a better job than he could.

He had also placed a Hidden Bee on He Zhao as a precaution, just in case.

He wasn't worried about He Zhao betraying him now, but human hearts were always a mystery. Just because someone didn't betray you today didn't mean they wouldn't do so in the future. If He Zhao were ever coerced or bribed into revealing things, Chu Xuan needed a way to sever ties immediately.

At the end of the day, his own safety and interests were paramount. Everyone else was simply a tool to be used and discarded as needed.

With these thoughts in mind, Chu Xuan ordered a few more signature dishes and, with a jade chopstick in hand, began to eat heartily.

When life is at its peak, enjoy it to the fullest, and never let the golden cup sit idle before the moon.

With delectable food before him, he couldn't help but indulge.

...

A few days later, the door to the Tea House was knocked on.

After a short while, Chu Xuan opened the door to find He Zhao standing respectfully outside.

"Senior He, Elder Ning has already negotiated the price for you. The shop can be acquired for half of its original price," He Zhao reported.

Upon hearing this, Chu Xuan smiled and nodded.

In the prosperous Neon Garment Market, the more prime the location, the higher the cost. Ning Tai had managed to secure a 50% discount, clearly saving him a substantial amount on rent.

He Zhao respectfully presented a storage bag. "Senior, this contains the spiritual herbs you asked me to buy. I've procured about two-thirds of them. The remaining ones either haven't reached the right age or don't meet the required quality, so they will take a little more time."

Chu Xuan probed with his spiritual sense and briefly scanned the contents. He nodded slightly. Some of the medicinal herbs were indeed impossible to use, but many of the mainstream Nascent Soul-grade pills, like the Black Dragon Pill, could still be crafted.

That was fine.

Black Dragon Pills were among the most commonly used, with huge demand. Nearly every Nascent Soul cultivator kept a stockpile, and the pills were consumed quickly.

He could simply take a low-profit, high-volume approach. After all, his success rate in refining the Black Dragon Pill, a low-grade Nascent Soul pill, was already quite high. Even with thin margins, he would still make a substantial profit.

"Also, the loyal and capable cultivators you asked me to find, I've located them as well."

He Zhao continued, "Do you want to meet them first to assess their abilities, or should we head to the shop first?"

Chu Xuan nodded. "Let's go to the shop first. Elder Ning is waiting for me there."

A short while later, the two arrived at the shop in the western district of Neon Garment Market.

"Green Pill Pavilion…"

Chu Xuan stared at the plaque, chuckling softly.

Inside the Green Pill Pavilion stood three figures.

Two were familiar to him: Ning Tai and his grandson, Ning Wangyuan.

The third was a tall male cultivator, dressed in a pure white daoist robe, with a sword embroidered on his chest—likely a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Divine Sword Sect.

Seeing Chu Xuan, Ning Tai immediately stepped forward, smiling broadly. "Fellow Daoist He! What do you think of the Green Pill Pavilion?"

"My old friend has entrusted everything to me," he continued. "If you're satisfied, we can sign the contract now, with the witness of this fellow Daoist Cheng from the Divine Sword Sect."

The Divine Sword Sect cultivator gave a slight bow to Chu Xuan. "I am Cheng Xin, disciple of Flying Sword True Master."

Chu Xuan returned the bow. "I am He Liang, a Nascent Soul Pill Master."

He smiled and nodded. "This place looks good. Thanks to Elder Ning for negotiating the price."

Ning Tai laughed heartily. "No need to thank me! It's all thanks to your fire bee!"

Cheng Xin looked surprised. "The fire bee that Master Li just acquired—it's yours? Master Li always flaunts that fire bee in front of my master. Even we Nascent Soul cultivators have seen it. The bee is entirely black and red, like a tiger among bees. Truly a top-tier collector's item, though it doesn't have long to live. Master Li has been trying everything to extend its life."

Chu Xuan smiled lightly. "It's good that Master Li likes it. As for methods to prolong its life… that's something he'll have to figure out on his own. I don't know either."

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