Chapter 49: Invitations from the Three Major Cultivation Clans

Nevertheless, he rose calmly to greet them, but just as he was about to speak, the woman among the two interrupted him.

“So, you’re Yan Sheng? I heard you killed the three brothers of the Man family. Come with us.”

Her tone was laced with condescending contempt, issuing orders without cause, which was deeply off-putting.

“What do you mean by that, fellow cultivator?” Shen Yan frowned slightly, his voice tinged with displeasure as he retorted.

“Just a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator, and you dare talk so much nonsense,” the woman sneered, annoyance flashing in her eyes. She activated her spiritual power, pressing her aura forcefully toward Shen Yan.

Yet, the situation she anticipated—Shen Yan crumbling under her pressure—did not occur. Her voice faltered for a moment as her spiritual sense swept over him, surprise flickering in her gaze.

“You’ve actually broken through to the late stage of Qi Refining?”

“Hmph. You barge in with accusations and threats, acting as if the market’s rules mean nothing to you,” Shen Yan retorted coldly.

These two were arrogant and ill-mannered; Shen Yan saw no reason to humble himself before them and immediately invoked the authority of the market to assert himself.

In Xiaolan Mountain Market, the three great families had a strict prohibition: cultivators were forbidden from resorting to violence. Any disputes had to be settled in the public dueling arena, and anyone wishing to fight had to pay a fee, which was a tidy income for the three families.

After all, cultivators were capable of great destruction; without restrictions, the market would never know peace.

“Heh, we haven’t done anything,” the man replied with a falsely polite smile, exchanging a glance with the woman before turning to Shen Yan. “You may not know this, but we’re here on behalf of the Chen and Xu families, two of the three great houses. We ask that you come with us for a discussion.”

“The three great families?” Shen Yan’s heart sank. Each of these clans was backed by a Foundation Establishment cultivator and held life and death power over the market.

Though they usually appeared to act according to the rules, the moment their interests were threatened, they would not hesitate to strike, utterly disregarding the market’s laws.

To mortals, cultivators were lofty beings, but to these cultivation clans, cultivators were no more than crops to be harvested, their lives of no consequence.

“I wonder what business the market’s leaders have with me?”

By now, Shen Yan had already circulated his spiritual power. His Flowing Cloud Sword was ready to be drawn at a moment’s notice. If the pair attempted anything, he would not hesitate to fight his way out of the market.

Hearing his question, the woman who had been impatient earlier restrained her temper and replied, “It’s nothing serious. The three families have recently obtained a damaged talisman treasure and are seeking someone to repair it. That’s why we summoned you—cultivators skilled in repairing magical tools.”

She held back her temper because she had realized Shen Yan was not merely a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator, but at the same level as themselves—late-stage Qi Refining.

Such were the naked rules of the cultivation world: those of lower rank didn’t even have the right to speak.

Upon learning their purpose, Shen Yan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the earlier surveillance was only to confirm whether he was at home.

The talisman treasure they spoke of was a unique spiritual artifact in the cultivation world.

The magical items used by cultivators were ranked from lowest to highest: magical tools, spirit tools, magical treasures, and spiritual treasures.

Magical tools were for Qi Refining cultivators, while spirit tools required at least Foundation Establishment to wield. Magical treasures and spiritual treasures were reserved for those at the Core Formation stage and above. Even the three great families, whose most powerful member was the Xu clan’s mid-Foundation Establishment elder, owned none of the latter.

Talisman treasures, however, were rare artifacts lying between spirit tools and magical treasures. When a Core Formation or higher cultivator forcibly split a portion of their life-bound magical treasure, it allowed Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment cultivators to wield its power.

But this process would permanently damage the treasure itself; unless absolutely necessary, no one would do such a thing. Thus, talisman treasures were exceedingly rare in the cultivation world.

“Fellow cultivators, I’m afraid you overestimate me. At best, I can only repair mid-grade magical tools. As for talisman treasures, such legendary items are truly beyond my ability,” Shen Yan replied, feigning a troubled expression, recognizing that the situation was not in his favor.

The woman’s face darkened, her pronounced cheekbones standing out as she threatened, “Fellow cultivator, it is an honor that the three families have extended this invitation. Don’t overestimate yourself.”

Her words left no doubt as to her intent.

“Xu, there’s no need to make things difficult,” the man interrupted with a smile, raising his hand as if to restrain her. He looked back at Shen Yan with a sly grin. “Fellow cultivator, as I understand it, your shop isn’t officially registered with the market, yet you still charge others for repairs. Care to explain?”

Clearly, the pair were playing good cop, bad cop, thinking they had Shen Yan cornered.

Shen Yan, however, cared little for these two late-stage Qi Refining cultivators from the Xu and Chen families. He was confident he could slay them both in less than a breath, should he wish.

Now that he was certain their only goal was to have him repair the talisman treasure, and nothing else, he pondered for a moment before showing a look of reluctant acceptance and said, “I have been sheltered here at Xiaolan Mountain by the market’s master. If the master has need of me, I cannot refuse.”

Seeing him acquiesce, the two nodded in satisfaction. The woman curled her lip and muttered, “Should’ve done that from the start. Wasting our time.”

Shen Yan took no offense. He actually preferred such tactless cultivators; perhaps he could sell her a few magical tools or pills in the future—no need to turn a trivial relationship hostile.

“Please wait a moment, I’ll gather my things.”

He returned to his private chamber, stowed his compass and other valuables in his storage pouch, and then came to the main hall.

As a rogue cultivator, Shen Yan knew to be ready to flee at any time, even if his shop was valuable. The cultivation world was rife with danger; one never knew when peril might strike.

“Thank you for your trouble,” the man said, cupping his hands. After leaving the shop with the woman, Shen Yan asked, “Fellow cultivators, what is the attribute of the talisman treasure you need repaired?”

Like cultivators themselves, magical tools and treasures possessed various attributes. The right match could greatly enhance a cultivator’s power, though there were also special items in the cultivation world beyond the five elements.