I entered the lobby of the Golden Leaf Consortium’s branch in Twisting Ridge City, still humming to myself. I took in the ostentatious decor and pretentious robes that all the staff wore as my gaze swivelled around the room.

  A part of me wanted to look down on them for so openly flaunting their wealth. However, I knew from experience that judging others was a fast route to becoming small minded and unpleasant.

  After all, they were called the Golden Leaf Consortium, so it made sense for their uniforms and buildings to have plenty of gold in the colour scheme. From a purely aesthetic point of view, the blend of gold, white, and royal blue was magnificent, if a touch arrogant.

  I had been inside for about twenty seconds already when someone finally noticed me and rushed over to greet me. A perfectly manicured woman with hair tied into a sleek ponytail and a light covering of makeup offered a bow and flashed a dazzling set of pearly whites that might’ve moved a lesser man’s heart.

  Perhaps if this was my first few weeks in this world I might’ve been affected by her charms, but the further I cultivated the less I found myself attracted to mortals. The reality of a longer lifespan was a harsh one.

  “Greetings, Young Master,” the woman said, her tone respectful and flirtatious. “How may this Kuang Mei assist you today?”

  “There’s no need for titles, Miss Mei,” I replied with a dismissing flick of my sleeve. “Just Zhao Dan is fine. I wonder if I might be able to speak with one of your managers?” I asked with a polite yet firm tone. “I believe I have a tempting offer to make.”

  The woman laughed coquettishly, hiding her mouth behind an open hand. “A tempting offer? Many nobles and merchants come to the consortium with similar declarations. Perhaps you could tell me what it is you are here to sell and I can judge if I need to bring in one of my superiors?” she replied.

  I didn’t like her dismissive tone. However, I understood that she and her colleagues probably dealt with many arrogant fools who thought their wares were more valuable than they actually were on a regular basis.

  That didn’t mean I had to be happy with being treated that way. I adopted a stern expression and narrowed my eyes.

  “Is there somewhere less crowded that we could talk? I’m sure you understand that I don’t wish to show off with so many eyes around,” I stated.

  She still had a mischievous smile, but given that I hadn’t risen to her taunt or obvious attempts at flirting, Kuang Mei deflated a little. With a nod, she pointed to one side of the room where a few doors led away from the lobby and began to lead the way there.

  I followed after her. On the walk to the consortium I had figured out what I wanted to offer them and a rough idea of what I wanted in return.

  While their main focus seemed to be on spirit herbs, they were sure to deal in a wide range of products—and hopefully, information. What I wanted were resources to help the members of my sect grow, which would be essential if we began recruiting new members, and also knowledge with which to teach them.

  I didn’t know everything, after all. Even with the combined knowledge of myself and Wang Ren there was only so much we could teach a prospective disciple. Having a wide range of paths available would entice more people to join our sect.

  Of course we would still need to have standards and not let anyone who could cultivate in, but with nothing to offer no one except the most desperate would come to us. The two hegemons of the area—the Soaring Sword and Cloudy Falls Sects—would scoop up most of the talents, after all.

  Kuang Mei opened one of the doors and waited for me to enter before following and shutting it behind us. It wasn’t quite as gaudy as the lobby, but the floors were white marble tiles and the walls were covered in gold carvings and various artworks.

  Two couches faced each other in the centre of the room with a flat, low table which seemed melded to the floor standing between them. The assistant motioned to the closest couch and I took a seat. Only once I had made myself comfortable did she sit down opposite me.

  There was still a glimmer of disbelief in her eyes—no doubt she still thought I was a cocky Young Master with little to offer—but her expression was more serious now that we were away from prying eyes. At the very least, I respected that she was professional even without seeing any value from me yet.

  “So, Zhao Dan, you said you wanted to meet with my manager. What gives you the confidence to make such a demand? Rare herbs or artifacts to sell, perhaps? Or maybe you harvested some awakened beast cores while gallivanting to the city?” she chuckled.

  I had to wonder if this approach of hers usually worked? Weren’t nobles typically arrogant and vicious when disrespected? Was it even safe for her to behave so callously?

  Then again, with how beautiful she was, I suspected that Kuang Mei was able to get away with everything shy of murder. Young men were weak to a pretty smile and fluttering lashes like hers.

  I had initially planned to only offer healing services and perhaps my pills. I even suspected my physique might allow me to positively affect the growth of herbs on their farms, though without a guarantee I didn’t want to make that suggestion. However, her dismissive attitude had prickled my pride and for that reason, I wanted to wipe the smirk from her pretty face.

  So, throwing caution to the wind, I took out one of the golden spirit stones from Million Flowers Celestial Peak and slammed it down on the table. Then I crossed my legs and leaned back on the soft couch to observe her reaction.

  Her face dropped immediately. A flash of fear crossed her expression, but then her eyes sparkled with greed and she reached out to the spirit stone.

  Before she touched it, she glanced up at me, her gaze containing a mix of fear and respect. I nodded, giving her permission to inspect the stone, only allowing myself a satisfied smirk when she was no longer watching my face.

  I idly realised that perhaps her arrogance and dismissiveness might have been a sales trick all along. A guise to make me reveal my cards and not let me take the upper hand in our dealings. Playing the pig to eat a tiger, so to speak.

  To be honest, I didn’t regret taking out the spirit stone. Seeing the intensity with which Kuang Mei was gazing at it, rubbing her fingers along its edge and doing strange tests to it, I knew I had her right where I wanted.

  After a few more seconds, she delicately placed the stone back on the table, treating it as if it were a prized family heirloom she didn’t dare damage. Then, she coughed once and stood up from the couch.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Gathering the skirts of her robe, she bowed to her waist. “My apologies if you were offended with my treatment, Sir Zhao. We often have… those who waste our valuable time coming to the consortium. Unfortunately it is necessary to deal with them in the appropriate manner. I will inform my manager at once and he will take over. I am not qualified to appraise your strange spirit stones,” she announced.

  I chuckled. So, it had been a sales tactic. I appreciated her candor. Now that she knew I wasn’t simply boasting, Kuang Mei had adopted a professional air.

  “Don’t worry about it,” I replied with a wave of my sleeve. “You were only doing your job. I shall wait here. Do you perhaps have any tea?” I added as an afterthought.

  I had grown quite fond of the leaves Wang Ren brought back with him and wouldn’t say no to some refreshment. Perhaps in the city they might have blends even tastier than the one I was used to.

  “Of course,” she replied with another shallow bow. Then, she left the room and I was alone with my thoughts.

  I waited for about five minutes before I heard noise outside the door. I had begun to grow impatient, but I supposed the manager of the branch might be quite busy. Of course, with what I had shown there was no way he could ignore my presence.

  The door opened and Kuang Mei entered, carrying a tray with a teapot and two cups. There was also a selection of pastries and cakes. I salivated a little—I wasn’t sure I’d tried the sweet treats of this world yet.

  Despite not needing to eat, there was no way I would deprive myself of such satisfaction. Mei placed the tray on the table as an older woman followed silently after and took a seat on the opposite couch.

  I had barely noticed her presence, which was impressive considering she was only a five-star Qi Gathering cultivator. Perhaps she practiced a stealth art.

  Despite her rather unimposing entrance, she had a grace and poise to her movements that commanded attention. While obviously middle-aged, her sharp features were beautiful and the trace amounts of makeup applied to her cheeks and eyes only served to elevate her natural beauty.

  I found my heart beating a little faster. It had been quite a while since I’d had any… action, and I had no reservations when it came to a cultivator around my own level. The woman noticed my stare lingering longer than was perhaps polite, but only smirked and took the offered cup of tea from Kuang Mei.

  “So, little Mei tells me you have a unique spirit stone to sell us,” the woman began, getting straight to business. “Is it only the one, or do you have more?”

  I took her brashness in stride. The woman had barely glanced at the golden spirit stone, but I saw her raising an eyebrow slightly when she did.

  “I might have a couple more, though it depends what you are willing to offer in exchange for them,” I teased.

  “Oh? What makes you believe the Golden Leaf Consortium needs your spirit stones? We have our own supplies in abundance,” the woman replied.

  Good. I knew the gold affinity spirit stones were valuable and the fact they were high grade made them even more so. Now we were simply haggling over the price.

  “I wasn’t aware that the consortium had a supply of gold affinity spirit stones,” I said, widening my eyes in feigned surprise. “Your pockets run deep indeed. I suppose I should take my wares to the Li Clan. I hear formations are quite the drain on spiritual energy,” I sighed, reaching out and snatching the stone back.

  The woman coughed and covered her mouth. “It seems I’ve underestimated you, Zhao Dan. Mei said you didn’t seem like the other Young Masters who waltz through our doors, but I couldn’t help testing you myself. Forgive me,” she said with a friendly smile. “I am the manager of the consortium’s Twisting Ridge branch, Zheng Yan.”

  “It is nice to meet you, Miss Zheng,” I replied, offering a martial salute, which made her giggle.

  “I’m not a warrior, there’s no need for that.”

  “It’s simply what I’m used to,” I responded. It wasn’t a lie, either. I had grown accustomed to the greeting between cultivators and defaulted to it when I wasn’t sure if another greeting was expected.

  She gave me a polite nod and took a sip from her tea. I reached out and grabbed a slice of sponge cake with pink frosting. It resembled a victoria sponge, but was far fluffier and had a floral taste running through it that I couldn’t quite place. The frosting was creamy and fruity, kind of like strawberry but with a tart aftertaste that made my tongue tingle.

  “Good cake,” I praised.

  “Indeed, our chef is a one-star Qi Gatherer and produces some exceptional pastries. Cakes are his passion,” Zheng Yan replied. “I will share your compliments, he will be delighted.”

  Putting down the cake, I met her gaze. What should I ask for? Now that I knew the value of the stones to a relative degree, I wanted to get my money’s worth.

  However, if I allowed the consortium to profit from our deal, it would lay a fantastic foundation for future cooperation. A long term relationship would lead to greater profits for both parties than a single deal where we both sought to carve out the largest pound of flesh.

  “Let’s start from the beginning. You seem like a woman who appreciates candor, Miss Yan,” I said, straightening in my seat and resting my hands on my crossed knees.

  I watched her reaction after I spoke, but she barely moved a muscle. After a breath’s time, she nodded and waved an arm.

  “I recently founded a sect of my own on a nearby mountain. While there are many things which we have in abundance, there are areas in which we are lacking. I would like manuals and resources to shore up those weaknesses and prepare to raise new disciples,” I explained.

  Zheng Yan’s eyes shot open and she leaned forward in her seat as I spoke. That was the first time I’d seen her react with more than a slight shift in expression or posture.

  “A new sect? How bold,” she remarked, her breath catching on the final word. “I’m not sure how the other two will react, but it does present a rather… unique opportunity.”

  “Oh I am sure you will find our sect is extremely unique,” I chuckled, thinking that if she was shocked now then she might faint when she heard we possessed healing techniques. Although I still had to adapt them for general use…

  “As for what information I require, let’s start with foundational knowledge on all the common professions for cultivators, any manuals relating to cultivation methods you can acquire up to the Foundation Building Realm, and a wide array of cultivation resources for practitioners and cultivators,” I said, nodding my head once I reckoned I’d asked for everything I needed.

  Zheng Yan sat in silence, gaze darting between her cup of tea and my face as she contemplated my offer. Frankly, I would be shocked if she refused. I suspected she was trying to figure out how many stones she could get away with asking for in exchange for what wasn’t really much of value.

  In fact, I wouldn’t even be that happy giving up more than one of my golden spirit stones for what I’d asked for. This was a test of sorts. I wanted to see if she would make a better offer on the consortium’s behalf.

  If she passed the test, it would tell me that this group was worth working with in the long term. While the Li Clan had given me knowledge and the promise of instruction in formations, I knew they had other motives. I wanted more reliable partners to set up my sect for success.

  Of course, the city lord couldn’t show preference to a particular sect, especially given that Twisting Ridge was a subordinate power to the Soaring Sword Sect. The Azure Tigers weren’t even worth mentioning—once Wang Ren heard he was free to act, they wouldn’t be long for this world.

  Eventually Miss Zheng straightened her posture and returned her empty cup of tea to the tray. I met her gaze and prepared for her response. Her decision would decide whether the Golden Leaf Consortium and I had fate with one another.

  “You are either exceedingly naive, or a devious businessman on par with the regional manager,” she said, collapsing into the sofa with a sigh. “We can handle everything you wish, although the quality of the manuals regarding cultivation methods may be rather shoddy.

  “Boss Pu would hang me if I let those spirit stones slip through my fingers, however. If you would be willing to give us ten, I believe I have something that might interest you, Sir Zhao.”

  Ten was a lot, given that I’d barely asked for anything valuable. But I trusted Zheng Yan to act in the consortium’s best interests. So, I would hear her out.

  I held my hand over the table and let ten spirit stones clatter out from my storage bag. “This better be interesting, Miss Zheng,” I said in a teasing tone of voice.