Cultivating Immortality Begins with Rejuvenation.

Chapter 310 Entering the Chamber of Commerce
Just as I stepped out of the Creation Pavilion, Yuan Yishui's message arrived.

"Imperial Jade Flute Master is coming to pick you up in person?" Li Ji'an was slightly taken aback when he saw the message.

In this life, to escape the war in the Heavenly Azure Domain, I had no choice but to use a seemingly insignificant move from my previous life to flee here.

My original intention was simply to successfully reach the Wanshang Domain and find a trustworthy foothold to cultivate in seclusion.

After all, he had lived several lifetimes and was no longer the naive young man who went to a strange place with a heart full of enthusiasm.

However, after meeting Yuan Yishui, Li Ji'an realized that his status in the eyes of the Sishui Chamber of Commerce in his previous life seemed to be far greater than he had imagined.

Then, seeing that his apprentice Guo Wanzhi might not be able to escape, he grabbed her by the hand.

Not only did they suffer no loss, but their past life identity unexpectedly became even more mysterious.

The main reason is that he has achieved mastery of the second level in both alchemy and talismanic arts, and has gained recognition and appreciation from the Nine Cauldrons Chamber of Commerce and the Sishui Chamber of Commerce, respectively.

When Wu Weixiong met him later, his past life identity was imagined by everyone in a way that was beyond imagination.

"Very well, taking advantage of the situation will allow me to focus on my cultivation and achieve my goal of breaking through to the Core Formation stage."

Otherwise, if one wishes to remain with the Sishui Chamber of Commerce for cultivation, or to have them endorse one's application for a high-level third-tier spiritual vein Core Formation training ground, one would likely have to make some sacrifices.

Based on his understanding of the Wanshang Domain, he had already come here with the intention of signing a spirit contract with the Chamber of Commerce and working for the Chamber of Commerce as a second-tier low-grade talisman master.

After all, Wanshangyu doesn't support idlers, and it values ​​money more than people.

But this is somewhat unexpected.

After a slight hesitation, Li Ji'an acquiesced to this outcome.

The three then returned to the Surabaya Chamber of Commerce headquarters.

"This junior greets the president!" A few days ago, Yuan Yishui had already explained some points about how to address people to each other. In the Wanshang Domain, cultivation level is not particularly important. Relatively speaking, the president of a chamber of commerce has more authority and status.

"Are you the successor of the Master?" Master Yuxiao walked up to the three of them and scrutinized Li Ji'an.

However, after sensing the magical aura emanating from him and carefully observing his appearance, he frowned imperceptibly.

Yuan Yishui, who was watching from the side, also grinned slightly.

Surabaya Chamber of Commerce has a special tradition, which all past presidents must be proficient in.

That is the art of physiognomy.

It is somewhat similar to divination, but different in nature, and specializes only in facial features.

One can only judge a person's character and future prospects by their facial features.

Moreover, it can disregard ordinary bone structure and accurately judge directly through appearance, eyes, and demeanor.

The reason she agreed to Li Ji'an's request for advance payment of spiritual materials when they first met in Tianhe Immortal City was because she had discerned Li Ji'an's personality at the time.

Although Li Ji'an was disguised at the time, he could not change his unique personality.

“Reporting to the Chairman, it is indeed me, Huang,” Li Ji’an replied, looking up.

A barely perceptible look of disappointment crossed the sharp and beautiful face of Master Yuxiao.

However, this was quickly concealed by a professional smile.

"Hmm, not bad. Sir, you have a worthy successor. Congratulations! Nephew Huang is also a handsome and talented man!"

"You flatter me, Chairman. I still have much to learn from you," Li Ji'an replied politely.

What was meant as a polite remark, when combined with Huang Jie's face and personality—mainly the result of her physiognomy technique—was interpreted by Master Yuxiao in a different light.

He couldn't help but frown: "Then you'd better study hard."

"..." Upon realizing the implication in his words, Li Ji'an was slightly taken aback, and for a moment he was a little confused.

In my memory, Master Yuxiao was adept at interpersonal relationships and social interactions. In my past life, he was always very kind and polite to me, even on our first meeting.

On the contrary, he seemed uninterested in meeting himself today, who had been endorsed by his past life.

Although he knew that wearing the Faceless Mask to reveal Huang Jie's appearance might have some impact, it shouldn't be this big!

Despite his doubts, he didn't care too much. As long as he had a merchant guild identity to settle down in the Wanshang Domain and could use the guild's connections to rent a third-grade high-quality spiritual vein dojo to break through to the Core Formation stage, that was enough. Everything else was irrelevant.

He even speculated that something might have happened to Master Yuxiao, causing him to lose control of his emotions.

However, I had just finished comforting myself.

But then they saw Jade Flute Master and Guo Wanzhi chatting intimately, hand in hand.

"Wanzhi is indeed a great teacher who produces outstanding students. We hit it off immediately, so there's no need to be so polite. If Wanzhi doesn't mind, you can call me 'elder sister'."

Furthermore, his later interactions with Yao Rui were very sincere, showing a strong desire to get close and befriend her.

"..." Li Ji'an paused, realizing the problem.

However, Jade Flute Master acted swiftly and decisively, giving Li Ji'an no chance to see through him.

In particular, since Master Yuxiao came to greet them personally, accompanied by two mid-stage Core Formation Realm experts, he dared not easily release his divine sense.

Li Ji'an was not too surprised by the two protectors of Master Yuxiao.

This is a fairly common situation in Wanshangyu.

After all, according to the Wanshang Domain concept, as long as there is enough spiritual resources, even a temporary protector at the Nascent Soul True Monarch level can be invited.

Later, when Jade Flute Immortal introduced Guo Wanzhi and Yao Rui, Li Ji'an learned that the two guardian immortals were actually immortal seedlings sponsored and cultivated by the Sishui Chamber of Commerce. They were nurtured from a young age and had made a great vow against inner demons.

All eighteen major chambers of commerce in the Wanshang Domain possess such methods, searching for promising young immortals across the entire cultivation world of the Great Swamp, nurturing them with all their might, and protecting them for a time.

However, the Chamber of Commerce's cultivation is more like angel investment, not a binding relationship with families or sects within the Tiancang Domain. It only focuses on the result, not the process, and will not measure success or failure by loyalty, but only by balancing the interests of both parties.

It's highly unlikely that they'll turn against each other.

It is said that among the strongest cultivators in the ten central regions of the Great Swamp cultivation world today, there are those sponsored by the Wanshang Domain Chamber of Commerce.

This is the foundation upon which the eighteen chambers of commerce of Wanshangyu stand here, and it is also the core source of their confidence in being able to conduct business across all regions.

Three months later, under the personal escort of Jade Flute Immortal, Li Ji'an and his party successfully arrived at the headquarters of the Sishui Chamber of Commerce in Baoping Continent—Hanyan Immortal City.

Although Hanyan Immortal City is not as magnificent as the Five Blessings Chamber of Commerce's Floating Immortal City, and its spiritual veins are only of the middle grade of the third rank, its commercial atmosphere and scale are in no way inferior.

The headquarters of the Sishui Chamber of Commerce is located in a cold pool at the northernmost part of Xiancheng. The pool is over a hundred feet deep and connected to an underground culvert. Cold air rises from it all year round and condenses in the air above.

This place is exceptionally rich in water-attribute spiritual energy, and it also possesses an icy attribute, making it most suitable for cultivators with unique ice-attribute spiritual roots.

However, exceptional spiritual roots are extremely rare, and currently, no one in the dojo possesses a compatible ice spiritual root. On the day Li Ji'an and his companions arrived at the Sishui Chamber of Commerce, the entire Cold Mist Immortal City celebrated its opening.

Li Ji'an initially thought it would be a grand banquet in March, but it turned out to be a shopping festival with 20% off all goods in the city.

The Chamber of Commerce merely used the pretext of welcoming the descendants of the deceased as a gimmick, and did not even allow Li Ji'an and the other two to make a public appearance.

However, inside the Chamber of Commerce, Master Yuxiao still gathered the senior and middle-level members of the Chamber and introduced them: "Wanzhi, these are our Chamber of Commerce Vice Presidents, Hao Zhengnian and Jia Yuanqing."

"Greetings, Vice President Hao; greetings, Vice President Jia." Guo Wanzhi bowed gracefully.

"So this is that gentleman's esteemed disciple? Second-tier superior alchemy skills, truly a great teacher produces a great student, excellent!" Hao Zhengnian returned the greeting solemnly, his eyes filled with joy.

"Master Guo, no need for formalities. Once you're in the Chamber of Commerce, you're one of us. There's no need for formalities in the future." Jia Yuanqing also expressed his goodwill.

Guo Wanzhi was instantly adored and became extremely popular.

In comparison, Li Ji'an and Yao Rui were much less prominent; while not exactly neglected, they were not highly regarded either.

After all, in Master Yuxiao's introduction, although "Huang Jie" was also a disciple of the master, his talisman skills were only at the early stage of the second level, while Yao Rui had no skills at all, only above-average talent.

After the internal welcome banquet, Guo Wanzhi was personally led to the central dojo of Hantan by Master Yuxiao, while Li Ji'an and Yao Rui were respectively arranged by Yuan Shouren, the chief steward of the Chamber of Commerce.

During the conversation, Li Ji'an learned about the general structure of the Sishui Chamber of Commerce.

Back then, the Sishui Chamber of Commerce was considered a leader in the Wanshang Domain. However, due to competition and conflict with the Jinhua Chamber of Commerce, it fell apart, and the main branch of the Chamber, the Yuan family, was forced to move to the Tiancang Domain.

The remaining branch forces are barely surviving in the Wanshang Domain.

Until the outbreak of the war between good and evil in the ten central regions a hundred years ago, Master Yuxiao finally got an opportunity through lobbying within the Merchant Alliance.

Having found a way to supply spiritual resources such as talismans is also an internal assessment within the business alliance.

Fortunately, Master Yuxiao exhausted all his efforts and resources, especially by meeting the mysterious third-tier talisman master in the Tiancang Domain, and finally successfully completed the internal assessment of the Merchant Alliance.

They were eventually able to rejoin the business alliance and return to the old site of the chamber of commerce.

Upon returning to this place, Master Yuxiao quickly regrouped the former branches of the merchant guild and, after more than a hundred years, regained his footing.

However, nowadays the Chamber of Commerce's trade is no longer limited to talismans, but like other chambers of commerce, it does all kinds of business.

"Master Huang, the guild leader has instructed that since you are a highly accomplished disciple of your master, our Sishui Chamber of Commerce will be your home from now on. The guild leader has also specifically instructed that, in view of your master's kindness, Master Huang, you do not need to go through an examination or be promoted according to your skills. You can be promoted directly to a first-class guest elder of our chamber of commerce and enjoy the treatment of a first-class guest elder. This is your jade token. As for the training grounds, you can choose any of these vacant training grounds." The chief steward spoke with a kind and gentle tone, showing Li Ji'an the utmost respect.

Li Ji'an was also very satisfied with this arrangement.

According to his understanding, while technicians from all trades are in high demand within the Wanshang Domain, the competition is even fiercer.

Ordinary second-tier beginner talisman masters can at most be full-time talisman masters in large merchant guilds like the Sishui Merchant Guild, similar to wage earners, and it is difficult for them to become guest masters, let alone first-class guest masters.

The treatment of a first-class guest of the Sishui Chamber of Commerce is not simple. It includes permanent residence in a third-tier low-grade spiritual vein dojo, an annual salary of three thousand spirit stones, and a 50% discount on shopping all year round. The status is also on par with the vice president.

These are the obvious benefits; the hidden perks are even more numerous.

With the status of a guest elder of the 18th Chamber of Commerce of the Business Alliance, one can move almost freely throughout the entire Wanshang Domain.

In particular, the top-tier training grounds within the Wanshang Domain require membership and referrals, which granted him the qualification to enter.

It is said that the training ground at the headquarters of the Merchant Alliance, although only a third-tier high-grade training ground, is very luxuriously equipped and has a great benefit on the breakthrough of various realms.

Li Ji'an thanked the chief steward and finally chose a relatively secluded Taoist temple.

As for Yao Rui, because of her decent talent and her relationship with Guo Wanzhi, she was given a Soul Contract to cultivate a Core Formation True Person.

Soul Contract Details: The Sishui Chamber of Commerce will nurture the soul with second-class spiritual resources. If the soul successfully forms a core, a repayment plan will be chosen based on the quality of the core after formation.

If it is a fake pill, the merchant guild will serve for fifty years, after which the individual can come and go freely.

The downstream True Elixir is then nurtured until the mid-stage of Core Formation, after which it serves for a hundred years.

Those who reach the middle or higher level of True Core cultivation should continue to be nurtured until they reach the late stage of Core Formation. Afterwards, they will require the protection of the Dao Merchant Guild for two hundred years.

As for the Immortal Golden Elixir, we will do our best to supply it up to the Nascent Soul stage. Once the Nascent Soul stage is successfully achieved, the recipient will only need to do three things for the Chamber of Commerce, and there will be no other restrictions.

Soul Pact may seem promising, but in reality, the conditions are extremely demanding.

After all, angel investors face significant risks, and in order to minimize these risks, there are many considerations regarding the Soul Contract level.

It is much stricter than the sect trials.

As for the Core Formation Soul Contract given to Yao Rui, it was actually not much different from the resources of the true disciples of the Biyun Sect. The only difference was that the strength of the Biyun Sect's treasury determined the amount of spiritual resources of the true disciples.

When the Biyun Sect was at its peak, its spiritual resources were more abundant than those of the merchant guild.

However, the Biyun Sect, which has been around for nearly a hundred years, has suffered a great loss of its foundation due to years of war, and it may not even be able to produce a single Core Formation Spiritual Treasure.

After watching the chief steward lead Yao Rui to choose a temple, Li Ji'an entered his own temple with a jade token.

The training ground he chose was an isolated island on a cold pond. It was not large, consisting of only a three-courtyard complex and a bamboo grove outside the backyard.

The reason for choosing this dojo, besides its remote location, is that it is one of the places with relatively abundant wood-type spiritual energy within the entire Cold Pool Spirit Vein dojo. Moreover, this dojo was once the residence of a guest talisman master.

It has been vacant ever since that talisman master passed away.

The interior talisman room is luxuriously furnished, with spirit gathering arrays and spirit guiding arrays both at the third level. Even the talisman platform for drawing talismans is a piece of natural, ten-thousand-year-old ice.

Drawing talismans on this altar makes the soul clearer and more peaceful, which is beneficial for drawing upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

After carefully examining the entire temple grounds, Li Ji'an was very satisfied.

Although it doesn't compare to the treatment of the chief disciple of the Biyun Sect, it allows me to cultivate in peace.

Moreover, unlike ordinary independent cultivators in the Wanshang Domain, they do not need to spend their time and energy on things like Daoist temples and spiritual resources.

Not long after, Yao Rui took the initiative to send a message, informing him of the location of the temple.

As a celestial seedling, Yao Rui's cultivation grounds are not in the same place as those of guest elders like Li Ji'an, where there is a more suitable spiritual vein environment for cultivation.

On the contrary, Guo Wanzhi disappeared without a trace for six months after the banquet.

It was on this day, half a year later, that Yuan Yishui came to visit, and Li Ji'an learned from him the possible reason why he was disliked by Master Yuxiao.

"Face reading! I see. This saves me a lot of trouble." Li Ji'an felt relieved.

As long as it doesn't pose a threat to one's life, this feeling of not being valued is the best state after providing spiritual resources to the temple.

He was finally able to focus on his spiritual practice in peace.

(End of this chapter)