Chapter 671: Calamitous Water Diverted East

Zhang Wang thought for a moment: "You mean Yun Hua, the Nascent Soul Steward who just joined the Central Heaven United Merchant Association?"

"Hmm, he's somewhat interesting, but his daughter Yun Qing truly possesses extraordinary talent—she is actually the legendary 'Heavenly Flower Treasure'."

"Heavenly Flower Treasure?"

Zhang Wang staggered, his body trembling slightly as he said: "Isn't that one of the legendary Saint Embryo aptitudes?"

The cultivation world speaks of four aptitudes—Mortal Body, Bone Cultivation, Immortal Aptitude, and Saint Embryo—and their relative strength has been obvious since ancient times.

Immortal Aptitude cultivators are one in ten thousand, yet any cultivator who reaches Nascent Soul Stage will have a chance to meet someone of extraordinary talent. Thus, even if an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator has never seen an Immortal Aptitude cultivator, they have at least heard of them.

But Saint Embryo cultivators—you might not even hear of them.

For such people, a heavenly omen at birth is inevitable, impossible to hide from the great masters of cultivation.

Which sect wouldn't want to provide resources so a disciple can grow smoothly, with ever‑deepening cultivation?

To date, only three Saint Embryo aptitudes are known, and the Heavenly Flower Treasure is one of them.

The old man nodded: "Fortunately, this Yun Hua Steward joined the Central Heaven United Merchant Association; otherwise, with our current strength we could hardly keep this Saint Embryo."

"Well then…"

"Yun Qing has become the Head Manager's inner disciple; during this time you should remember to assign Yun Hua some light tasks. Even if he accomplishes nothing, you must feed and shelter him well—did you hear me?"

"Yes yes yes… wait, no."

Zhang Wang suddenly realized he hadn't come to ask about that, so he said: "Never mind those things—do you really think the Great Sinful Sect genuinely wants to do business with the Youming Jie?"

"Is that important?" the old man asked lightly.

"It's certainly important; if they want to do business with the Youming Jie, they will inevitably clash with the Dragon Void Cave and the Central Heaven United Merchant Association. Since our relations with those two are already decent, wouldn't we then have to turn hostile toward the Great Sinful Sect?"

Zhang Wang felt some worry.

Mainly, the Blood Dao Ancestor of the Great Sinful Sect has been resurrected—who could stand that?

Never mind how vast the Merchant Association's influence is; in fact it only has three Great Vehicle Stage elders. If the Blood Dao Ancestor is troubling them because he dislikes their attempt to seize the Association's finances, that's understandable—but if you all take sides over a little trade, surely those three elders wouldn't be so foolish as to oppose a renowned old master over such a matter.

So, as luck would have it, it's Zhang Wang who's handling this again—whichever side he offends, his good days will be over.

Seeing Zhang Wang's embarrassment, the old man smiled slightly: "You're overcomplicating this. Since the Great Sinful Sect started it, and all they want is a single cross‑domain vessel, just give it to them. As for the rest, why not let those two sides stir up trouble for them?"

"That way, aren't we just stuck in the middle? What if those two actually start fighting…"

"Better if they fight? Doing business means either using brains or using force—that's their struggle, what's it to us?" The old man lifted the tea cup beside the chessboard, took a sip, and smiled: "I actually think that if someone can open a new trade route in the Youming Jie, it's hardly a bad thing."

Zhang Wang staggered, then suddenly grasped the old man's meaning.

He rose, clasped his fists, and said: "Yes, Steward Long, I understand, subordinate!"

"Go."

After Zhang Wang took his leave, he went straight to the warehouse where the cross‑domain vessel is stored.

"Such a huge cross‑domain vessel isn't easy to take away." Zhang Wang sighed.

The cross‑domain vessel is a Cosmic Dao Immortal Accumulation; it inherently repels a Storage Accumulation Device, so it can only be contained by special means.

But doing so consumes huge amounts of Spiritual Stone to activate the containment device.

Zhang Wang sighed, took an iron box matching the vessel's number from a nearby rack, then poured a large quantity of Spiritual Stone into it.

Immediately, Zhang Wang placed the box on the vessel; the box glowed, and in an instant it sucked the cross‑domain vessel inside.

After putting the box away, Zhang Wang spurred his horse and, in passing, told the people nearby: "Go inform the Dragon Void Cave and the Central Heaven United Merchant Association that the Great Sinful Sect intends to open a trade route in the Youming Jie."

"Yes!"

Zhang Wang, feeling somewhat relieved, came to the street and entered a tavern: "Anyway, I can only do this much."

Having said that, Zhang Wang laughed as he went upstairs and stopped at Yan Buji's door.

"Halt, who are you?!" Huang Ji looked at Zhang Wang, puzzled.

Zhang Wang clasped his fists and said: "I am Zhang Wang of the Zhong Tian Zhi Yu branch of the Nine Heavens Five Domains Central Heaven United Merchant Association; I have come specially to seek an audience with your esteemed sect elder."

"Hmm?"

Huang Ji glanced at him, nodded, and said: "Wait a moment."

"All right."

Huang Ji went inside, said a word to Yan Buji, then let him in.

Yan Buji stepped forward to greet him personally, smiling: "I am Yan Buji, Hall Master of the Lian Dan Tang of the Great Sinful Sect; nice to meet you, Fellow Daoist Zhang."

"Come, come, Fellow Daoist Zhang, please take a seat quickly."

Seeing Yan Buji's enthusiasm, Zhang Wang felt a bit unaccustomed at first, but he had no choice but to sit down.

"Huang Ji, tell the waiter to bring out a table of fine wine and dishes!"

"Yes!"

Zhang Wang hurriedly said: "No need, no need, Hall Master Yan, you're being too courteous."

"What courtesy? Anyone who comes from afar is a guest; Fellow Daoist Zhang, you've come in person to visit—how could I not treat you well?" Yan Buji gave Huang Ji a glance, and Huang Ji hurried downstairs.

Zhang Wang sensed something was off, but couldn't say what.

Thinking there was still business to discuss, Zhang Wang began: "Hall Master Yan, I…"

"Hold on, Fellow Daoist Zhang, the food and drink aren't ready yet—let's not talk business; I actually have a few questions I'd like to ask." Yan Buji deliberately cut off Zhang Wang's words.

This made Zhang Wang frown, but since he was here to deliver the cross‑domain vessel, he wasn't in a hurry—just felt something was wrong.

"Hall Master Yan, what's your question?"

"It's like this: I don't really understand the Merchant Association's business model. In our sect, although the Sect Master has entrusted me with many important matters, as a newcomer I have lots I don't grasp and would like advice."

"Well then, go ahead and say it!"

After Yan Buji rattled on with a lot of nonsense, he finally voiced his minor questions.

Zhang Wang patiently answered each point, also wanting to hear just what level the person in charge of the Great Sinful Sect's Youming Jie business is at.

After chatting for a while, Zhang Wang finally realized something was wrong.

"Hall Master, I think we should talk about these matters later; today I came to make a deal with you." Zhang Wang hurriedly said.

"Oh? A deal? Perfect." This time Yan Buji didn't interrupt; instead, he looked at Zhang Wang with a grin.

Huh?

"Hall Master, you invited me over, this is...."

Xu Pingji suddenly arrived at the doorway; seeing this scene, he couldn't help but freeze.

The atmosphere instantly became a bit awkward.