Chapter 23: The Trading Company's Intent? I'm Selling the Future!

The smoke of battle had not yet dispersed; the stench of blood, mixed with the eerie aura of the netherworld and the foul odor of black dog blood, permeated the air.

The caravan of the Four Seas Trading Company halted nearby, and the guards formed a defensive formation with well-trained precision, their eyes scanning vigilantly across the chaotic battlefield and the group of bandits who, despite their victory, remained filled with killing intent.

Qian Duoduo, however, was completely unconcerned. He hopped off the carriage, still twirling his folding fan, and strolled toward Lin Xuan, who stood aloof in the center of the field, wearing that signature, slightly cynical smile of his.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, it’s been a few days. Your... business scope is expanding quite rapidly, isn't it?" He pointed his fan at the surrounding corpses and the retreating figures. "Taking on 'big orders' from the City Guard and the Netherworld Sect? And completing them so... uniquely."

Lin Xuan looked at this playboy who had once inadvertently helped him out of a tight spot, quickly calculating the reason for his visit. The Four Seas Trading Company was well-informed; Qian Duoduo’s appearance here could not possibly be a coincidence.

He smiled slightly and waved his hand, signaling for Black Bear to lead the men in cleaning up the battlefield and tending to the wounded, while he himself walked up to meet him.

"Young Master Qian is joking. It was merely self-defense. When people come knocking at your door, one cannot simply stretch out their neck and wait for death." Lin Xuan’s tone was calm, as if he were not the one who had just smashed a Golden Core cultivator to death with a brick. "But as for you, Young Master Qian, gracing my humble backwater with your presence—may I ask what brings you here?"

Qian Duoduo walked closer, closed his folding fan, and scrutinized Lin Xuan for a few moments, a flash of imperceptible sharpness crossing his eyes. "Golden Core stage? Tsk tsk, Fellow Daoist Lin, this cultivation speed truly makes me feel ashamed. It seems my cousin, Qian Wanguan, underestimated you after all."

He mentioned Qian Wanguan with a natural tone, clearly aware of the cooperative relationship between Lin Xuan and the Four Seas Trading Company.

"Deacon Qian is too kind; it was just luck," Lin Xuan said noncommittally.

"Luck doesn't smash a Golden Core to death," Qian Duoduo chuckled, lowering his voice slightly. "I won't beat around the bush. I am here on a secret order from the General Headquarters' Council of Elders."

The General Headquarters' Council of Elders? Lin Xuan’s heart stirred, but his expression remained calm. "Oh?"

"Two things." Qian Duoduo held up two fingers. "First, to confirm your value and the potential of Black Wind Shanzhai. As it stands, the answer is affirmative." He looked around at the bandits, who were exhausted but fierce-eyed as they orderly cleaned the battlefield, and nodded.

"Second," his gaze returned to Lin Xuan, becoming more serious, "on behalf of the Four Seas Trading Company’s General Headquarters, I invite you to a... deeper level of cooperation."

"Deeper cooperation?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow. "Similar to what I discussed with Deacon Qian?"

"No," Qian Duoduo shook his head. "Bigger. What we value is not just the high-quality spirit herbs you provide or your 'unique' security consulting services. What we value is you, and the... 'possibilities' you represent."

He paused, then continued: "The General Headquarters is willing to provide resources to help you gain a firm foothold in the Imperial Capital and fully support your participation in the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion auction three months from now, with the goal being the 'Core-Condensing Jade Liquid.' Of course, the premise is that once you successfully win the bid, you must become a 'Guest Elder' of our Four Seas Trading Company and, at certain times in the future, prioritize providing our firm with... well, some 'special' assistance."

Guest Elder! Core-Condensing Jade Liquid!

Lin Xuan was shocked. The Four Seas Trading Company was placing a heavy bet! They were not only providing the path and resources to the Imperial Capital and the auction, but directly promising the "Core-Condensing Jade Liquid," the item he currently needed most! The price was merely becoming a relatively free Guest Elder and providing some "special" help in the future.

These terms were unbelievably generous!

"Why me?" Lin Xuan did not agree immediately, asking instead, "I am just a cultivator who has just broken through to the Golden Core stage. Is it worth such an investment from the Four Seas Trading Company?"

"Because you have escaped from Ye Chen and Liao Chen multiple times, because you have made the Netherworld Sect suffer defeat after defeat, because you have surged from Qi Refining to Golden Core in such a short time, and most of all... because you can smash a cultivator of the same rank to death with a brick!" Qian Duoduo’s gaze was burning. "Fellow Daoist Lin, you possess a quality—a quality that breaks conventions and creates miracles. In the rigid world of cultivation, this is extremely scarce. We at the Four Seas Trading Company like to invest in 'scarcity'."

He paused, adding meaningfully: "Moreover, we have received news that the Netherworld Sect headquarters has a great 'interest' in you. Losing a Golden Core Elder has already touched their bottom line. The next ones to come will likely not be Golden Core, but... Nascent Soul old monsters. Can you, or this Shanzhai, withstand that alone?"

Nascent Soul old monster!

Lin Xuan’s pupils constricted. This was indeed his greatest concern. He could still maneuver at the Golden Core stage, but if a Nascent Soul cultivator were to strike personally, he would be in grave danger, even with the system.

The Four Seas Trading Company was offering help in a time of need, but they were also eyeing his predicament and placing a high-stakes gamble.

Seeing Lin Xuan deep in thought, Qian Duoduo did not rush him, simply fanning himself and saying leisurely, "Fellow Daoist Lin can take some time to consider. However, our caravan departs for the Imperial Capital tomorrow. Whether to stay here and wait for unknown risks, or to seize the opportunity and use the strength of our firm to head toward a broader stage and fight for a future—it all rests on your decision."

Having said this, he truly said no more, turning to summon his men to set up camp, seemingly certain that Lin Xuan would make the "correct" choice.

Lin Xuan stood in place, watching Qian Duoduo’s retreating back, his heart filled with turbulent waves.

The Four Seas Trading Company’s proposal truly solved his immediate crisis. Going to the Imperial Capital, attending the auction, obtaining the Core-Condensing Jade Liquid, and having the backing of the firm as a great tree to temporarily avoid the sharp edge of the Netherworld Sect.

But what was the cost? The status of Guest Elder seemed free, but what was that "special assistance"? For the Four Seas Trading Company to invest so heavily, their goal must be significant.

A blessing or a curse?

He looked up toward the direction of Qingyun City, then back at the Black Wind Shanzhai, which, despite its victory, had suffered heavy losses and needed time to recover.

Staying behind would allow him to guard this small patch of land, but he could face a thunderous strike from a Nascent Soul cultivator at any time; the risk was too great.

Leaving and using the power of the Four Seas Trading Company was indeed a shortcut, but the path ahead was unknown, no different from negotiating with a tiger for its skin.

"System, perform a deep scan on Qian Duoduo and the leader of the guards he brought."

[Ding! Consuming 2% energy, deep scanning in progress...]

[Qian Duoduo: Cultivation base at Peak Foundation Establishment (disguised), actual cultivation at early Golden Core. Technique: "Wealth-Gathering Heart Sutra" (special technique, adept at insight and trading). Status: Expectant, slightly nervous.]

[Guard Leader (Qian Zhong): Cultivation base at mid Golden Core. Technique: "Geng Metal Battle Art." Status: Loyal, vigilant.]

Qian Duoduo was actually at early Golden Core? And practiced a special technique? The Four Seas Trading Company was truly full of hidden talents!

This scan result gave Lin Xuan a more intuitive understanding of the Four Seas Trading Company’s strength, and it caused the scales in his heart to begin to tilt.

Risk and opportunity coexist. Rather than sit and wait for death, it was better to take the initiative and, in a broader world, use the system and his own "slacker" wisdom to carve out a path!

He took a deep breath, his gaze becoming firm.

"Young Master Qian!" Lin Xuan called out, stopping Qian Duoduo, who was preparing to leave.

Qian Duoduo turned around, a smile of anticipation on his face: "Has Fellow Daoist Lin considered it?"

"Cooperation is possible." Lin Xuan walked up to him, meeting his gaze calmly. "But I have three conditions."

"Please, speak."

"First, Black Wind Shanzhai is my foundation; the firm must guarantee its safety and provide a certain tilt in resources to allow it to develop normally."

"Second, the term of the Guest Elder agreement is tentatively set for ten years. Within these ten years, I will prioritize providing help to the firm within my capabilities, but if the firm requests something that violates my principles, I have the right to refuse."

"Third, and most importantly," Lin Xuan stared into Qian Duoduo’s eyes, "I need to know what you mean by 'special assistance.' I must know what I will be facing."

Upon hearing this, Qian Duoduo put away his cynical demeanor and looked at Lin Xuan seriously. After a moment, he nodded: "I can represent the General Headquarters in agreeing to the first two terms. As for the third..."

He pondered for a moment, then transmitted his voice: "The specific details involve core secrets of the firm, and my authority is insufficient to elaborate here. But I can tell you that it relates to 'fortune,' and... opposing certain 'predetermined fates.' This is also the fundamental reason we sought you out. Once we reach the Imperial Capital, the Elders of the General Headquarters will discuss it with you in detail."

Fortune? Opposing predetermined fate?

Lin Xuan’s heart shook violently! Could it be that the Four Seas Trading Company had also sensed the uniqueness of his fortune, or even... knew of the existence of Ye Chen, the "Son of Destiny"? Did they want to invest in him to oppose the "destiny" represented by Ye Chen?

This speculation filled Lin Xuan with a sense of inexplicable excitement and pressure.

"Good! I will trust Young Master Qian once!" Lin Xuan no longer hesitated, extending his hand. "Happy to cooperate!"

Qian Duoduo smiled as well, extending his hand to shake Lin Xuan’s firmly: "Happy to cooperate! Elder Lin!"

[Ding! Detected deep cooperation with the major power "Four Seas Trading Company," destiny trajectory has shifted! Gained +100 Fortune Points!]

[Ding! Detected Qian Duoduo’s appreciation and expectation, Emotion Points +1888!]

"In that case, Elder Lin, please arrange the affairs of the Shanzhai as soon as possible. We depart tomorrow at the hour of the Dragon (7-9 AM) sharp," Qian Duoduo said.

Lin Xuan nodded.

That night, Black Wind Shanzhai was brightly lit.

Lin Xuan gathered Black Bear and several core leaders, announcing his decision to head to the Imperial Capital and entrusting all Shanzhai affairs to Black Bear.

"Consultant, please go with peace of mind! With us here, we will definitely guard the Shanzhai well!" Black Bear patted his chest in assurance. Although reluctant, he knew that Consultant Lin’s stage should not be limited to this small Shanzhai.

Lin Xuan left behind a large amount of cultivation resources, spirit stones, various talismans he had drawn, and a simplified version of the "Spirit Plant Catalysis Technique" to ensure the continued development of Black Wind Shanzhai.

He even specifically handed the "Meritorious Brick" that had smashed a Golden Core to death to Black Bear, instructing: "This brick... shares a spiritual connection with me; I leave it to you to guard the house."

Black Bear and the others were filled with awe, receiving the brick with both hands as if it were a peerless divine artifact.

After arranging everything, the horizon began to turn white.

Lin Xuan stood on the Shanzhai wall, looking at the foundation he had built with his own hands, his heart filled with deep emotion.

From the desperate situation of his transmigration to now, having formed a Golden Core, repelled strong enemies, and cooperating with a behemoth like the Four Seas Trading Company, it had only been a few short months.

All of this stemmed from that seemingly unreliable "slacker" system, and his own... "slacker" heart that refused to accept fate.

"Imperial Capital, Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, Core-Condensing Jade Liquid, the struggle for fortune..."

A new journey was about to begin.

He looked into the distance, where the caravan of the Four Seas Trading Company was already prepared for departure.

Qian Duoduo stood on the carriage shaft, waving at him from afar.

Lin Xuan took a deep breath of the crisp morning air, a signature smile—carrying a hint of roguishness and infinite fighting spirit—appearing on his face.

"Imperial Capital, here I come!"

"Ye Chen, we... will meet again very soon."

With a flicker of his figure, he appeared before the caravan.

The rising sun leaped over the horizon, golden light spilling over the mountains and forests, illuminating the road ahead.

(End of Chapter 23)