"This is the Nangong family's territory!" Zhou Yuanli and Liu Qiang flanked him on either side, while behind them, Elder Sima Xian of the Battle Hall led a ten-man squad.
The former was introducing Luo Chen to the cluster of buildings below.
"That over there is the beast pen under construction. I heard the Nangong family will assign cultivators to oversee it.
"And over here is..."
Looking down, Luo Chen’s expression grew complicated.
Nangong territory?
It was the Mi family’s land!
Two months ago, when he had come here alone, all he had seen were members of the Mi family. Now, everything has changed beyond recognition.
"Who goes there?!" A stern shout rang out from below, followed by a figure soaring up into the air.
Luo Chen remained silent as Sima Xian stepped forward to meet the newcomer.
"Luo Tian Society’s President, Dan Chenzi, bearing a formal greeting card, has come to pay respects to Senior Nangong Jin!"
As he spoke, a gold-embossed invitation flew forward. The Nangong family cultivator hesitated for a moment before instinctively reaching out to catch it.
However, the moment it landed in his palm, his expression shifted.
Suspended in midair, he was forcibly pushed back three meters by an overwhelming force.
"You—!" Sima Xian was not one for words; he simply curled his lips slightly in response.
The cultivator’s eyes burned with anger. He spat out a quick, “Wait here!” before flying back to the compound below.
Once he had left, Zhou Yuanli voiced his concern. "President, won't this offend the Nangong family?"
Luo Chen shook his head but remained silent.
Sima Xian’s aggressive display had not been his own initiative—it had been at Luo Chen’s instruction. He had not acted so audaciously out of arrogance.
In truth, he was testing how well Miao Wen’s name carried weight. And the results were about to be seen immediately.
Under the guidance of a cultivator, Luo Chen was led into an elegant flower hall, where he met the head of the Nangong family.
The young master!
Luo Chen’s gaze fell upon the sharp, heroic brows and handsome features reminiscent of Pan An. His brow furrowed slightly.
It was Nangong Qin—not the Foundation Establishment cultivator Nangong Jin!
"You must be President Luo of Luo Tian Society, Master Dan Chenzi! I've long heard of you!"
Luo Chen relaxed his expression. One could not strike a man who greeted with a smile.
"I am Luo Chen. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Nangong."
Nangong Qin was unsurprised. Someone of his status would already know Dan Chenzi’s real identity. He immediately took the main seat and chuckled. "One does not visit the Three Treasures Hall without reason. What brings you here uninvited, Fellow Daoist?" As he spoke, he idly played with the gold-embossed invitation that bore Luo Tian Society and Dan Chenzi’s name.
Luo Chen smiled slightly. "A small business proposal. I wonder if your esteemed family would be interested?"
"Oh?"
"It concerns Fu Zhu Deer."
"Then let’s hear it."
After listening for some time, Nangong Qin nodded in understanding.
"It is indeed a profitable business—beneficial to both you and me.
"However..."
At these two words, Luo Chen, who had been smiling warmly, let his expression fade.
Nangong Qin’s lips curved, but his eyes remained cold. "We have only recently relocated here, and we are currently engaged in extensive reconstruction. We simply do not have the manpower to provide a stable supply of Fu Zhu Deer milk to your society. So...
"My apologies!"
Luo Chen’s expression darkened slightly. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he took his leave.
Nangong Qin only escorted him as far as the flower hall entrance before stopping.
Watching Luo Chen’s departing figure, a cold smirk tugged at his lips.
An insignificant Qi-Refining cultivator at the eighth stage and yet he dares act like a leader before me? Truly thinks he’s someone important!
Suddenly, his ears twitched slightly. He immediately turned and walked toward the back.
Before long, he arrived at an underground meditation chamber brimming with spirit energy. He took a deep breath as he stepped in and felt an immediate lightness throughout his entire body.
"Father, the spirit vein here is truly remarkable—it even has the effect of a second-tier vein."
Inside the room, a middle-aged man sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion opened his eyes. His gaze fell on a corner of the room, revealing a hint of distress.
"It was all exchanged for mid-grade spirit stones. This place is not suitable for long-term cultivation—it's only for emergencies."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Qin immediately came to a realization. After all, this was merely a first-tier spirit vein—the abundant spiritual energy in the area came from a gathering formation refining mid-grade spirit stones. Sustaining long-term cultivation here would undoubtedly be a massive drain on resources.
Realizing this, Nangong Qin grew even more perplexed. "If that’s the case, why reject Luo Chen’s business proposal? A deal worth thousands of spirit stones each month would bring in a sizable profit over the course of a year."
The valuable parts of the Fu Zhu Deer were its antlers and blood—its bones, meat, and milk were practically worthless. Luo Tian Society’s deal would essentially create a new revenue stream for them.