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The Tianyun Chamber of Commerce, being the largest chamber of commerce in the Eastern Region of the Spirit Dust Realm, certainly lives up to its reputation of prosperity.
Covering a vast area, roughly the size of dozens of Moyu Towns, it boasts a luxurious central headquarters, with all surrounding buildings also owned by the Tianyun Chamber of Commerce.
“Sir, this is the Tianyun Chamber of Commerce. This entire area belongs to them,” Mark Gu said with a bow and a smile.
Ambrose Lu nodded slightly, hands clasped behind his back, and walked forward.
“Please pay the entrance fee in Spirit Stones,” one of the guards said kindly as Ambrose and his two companions approached.
Mark Gu quickly handed over sixty Spirit Stones. Having visited the Tianyun Chamber of Commerce several times, he was well aware of the entrance fee per person.
The guard took the Spirit Stones, weighed them in his hand, and then apologized, “Sorry, but due to the recent Ascension Tribulation of the ancestor from the Carefree Courtyard in the Western Region, the entrance fee has increased…”
Mark Gu was momentarily stunned and cursed inwardly at the Tianyun Chamber of Commerce’s greed. Indeed, no merchant is without cunning…
Although the invitation was for cultivators at the Elemental Infant stage and above, many below that stage would also be tempted to go to the Western Region to watch from afar.
An entrance fee now, and another fee for the teleportation array later, which would undoubtedly be higher.
“Alright, how much has it increased?” Mark Gu asked, glancing awkwardly at Ambrose before looking at the guard.
“Per person…” The guard held up eight fingers.
“Eighty?”
Mark Gu pursed his lips and tossed a storage bag to the guard. “There are two hundred low-grade Spirit Stones in there, plus the ones I just gave. Keep the change.”
As an alchemist, he certainly wasn’t short on money!
The guard smiled happily, “Please, come in.”
Mark Gu turned respectfully to Ambrose, “Sir, let’s go in. Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Ambrose glanced at him and then walked in with his hands behind his back.
Mark Gu and Old Turtle quickly followed.
The streets were bustling with countless cultivators. Many had set up stalls on both sides of the street, sitting cross-legged with their eyes closed, neither shouting nor soliciting business.
Apart from the occasional whispers among cultivators, the Tianyun Chamber of Commerce was relatively quiet.
The mundane hustle and bustle were worlds apart from the tranquility of the cultivation world.
Ambrose walked slowly ahead, with Old Turtle and Mark Gu following cautiously behind.
Every now and then, a beautiful female cultivator would pass by, causing Old Turtle to grin slightly.
Mark Gu suddenly remembered something, his eyes lighting up as he stepped forward and said respectfully, “Sir, I know you enjoy fine wine. It so happens that the Tianyun Chamber of Commerce has a famous brew renowned throughout the Spirit Dust Cultivation Realm. However, it’s a bit far from our current location. Would you like me to take you there?”
Sure enough, Ambrose paused, his nose twitching as he caught faint whiffs of alcohol in the air. Among them, one scent stood out, likely the wine Mark Gu mentioned. It seemed decent.
“I know where it is,” Ambrose said, his eyes flashing before he disappeared with Old Turtle and Mark Gu.
As soon as they vanished, the previously quiet street became lively.
“Did you see that? Just now, a young man and two old men disappeared in a flash!”
“Yes, teleportation! That’s a technique only those at the Divine Transformation stage and above can use. Could it be that all three of them were Divine Transformation True Lords? I never thought I’d see three Divine Transformation True Lords at once in my lifetime. I can die happy now.”
“Hold on, don’t be so hasty. Listen to me. Those three seniors are probably heading to the Western Region to observe the Ascension Tribulation. But they looked unfamiliar. If they were Divine Transformation True Lords, they should be sect elders. Why haven’t we heard of them?”
“One of them looked familiar, like Immortal Gu from the Cyan Cloud Sect…”
“Impossible. After all these years, Immortal Gu is at most at the peak of the Golden Elixir stage, not even at the Elemental Infant stage, let alone Divine Transformation. So it wasn’t him.”
“Definitely not him.”
“Agreed.”
…
Moyu Town.
“Clip-clop, clip-clop…”
Three carriages slowly exited the town gates and stopped not far away.
Andrew Chen peeked out from one of them, staring blankly at the place he had lived for thirteen years.
“Town Master…” The old butler began to speak.
Andrew Chen smiled wryly, “You don’t have to call me Town Master anymore. I’m no longer the Town Master.”
He had reported his resignation that day and received a response just yesterday.
For some reason, the matter had reached the ears of the Li Shui King, who immediately approved and ordered Andrew Chen to take up a position in the capital.
“Master, life in the capital might be difficult,” the old butler sighed.
Compared to the capital, he preferred the small town of Moyu. Before the demon troubles, they had lived comfortably in Moyu, with few worries.
The capital, being the center of power, would likely require them to navigate complex social dynamics, where a single misstep could lead to disaster.
Andrew Chen frowned, “It won’t be. Lord Caleb Dong treated me well in the past, and the Li Shui King appreciates me.”
The old butler shook his head with a smile, “Master, you said it yourself—’in the past.’ Times have changed.”
Andrew Chen was taken aback. Was there something wrong with what he said? He was just stating the facts…
But he didn’t argue immediately. Over the years, the old butler had always been smarter than him, which was true.
So he asked, “What do you mean?”
The old butler took a deep breath and said, “What I’m about to say might be unpleasant, but please don’t take it to heart.”
Andrew Chen raised an eyebrow, “It’s fine. We’ve been master and servant for almost a lifetime. I’m just a rough man. Say what you want.”
The old butler’s eyes softened, and he asked directly with a smile, “Master, in the past, Lord Caleb Dong and the Li Shui King treated you well. But ask yourself honestly, was it really because they valued you… or because of the gentleman?”
“Uh.” Andrew Chen’s eyes glazed over.
He quickly lowered his head and sighed, “You’re right.”
“Master, you know that the political arena is full of cunning foxes, all driven by self-interest. I even think…”
The old butler trailed off.
Andrew Chen grew anxious, urging, “Think what? Go on, we’re like family.”
“I even think that the Li Shui King wants you in the capital for his own schemes,” the old butler said, his eyes sharp.
Andrew Chen stood still, murmuring, “I, Andrew Chen, have nothing to offer. What could he want?”
The old butler chuckled, shaking his sleeves, and said seriously, “The gentleman stayed at your Town Master’s Mansion for eight years. Now that he’s gone, if I were the king, I’d naturally assume he left some treasures behind… Master, if you were the king, what would you think?”
“I…”
Andrew Chen clutched the item in his chest tightly, lowering his head in silence.
“`
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