My entry can't possibly be this normal!

"Could it be that his cultivation level is even higher than the Grand Elder's?"

Li Pingan asked tentatively.

Yu Tianji said, "In terms of cultivation level, I might even be slightly superior. As for magical treasures, he should be even less capable than me, however..."

"In this world, cultivation techniques and magical treasures cannot explain everything."

"Oh?" Li Ping'an asked curiously, "What else?"

Yu Tianji said, word by word: "Supernatural powers, magical strength, talent, temperament, intellect..."

"There are countless factors that determine the outcome of a battle."

"What makes Jiang Shenwei so terrifying is that he seems to have no weaknesses..."

"Perhaps there are, but no one knows..."

Li Pingan nodded.

"Fortunately, he is not my enemy."

Yu Tianji chuckled.

"You crippled his son and then came to his door to extort money from him. How can you say you're not an enemy?"

Li Ping'an smiled and said, "The Marquis of Wuwei has maintained his image of fairness and integrity over the years. He would certainly not make an enemy of the Qingyun Sect because of a notorious playboy. Otherwise, he would be slapping himself in the face."

"As for extortion... how can you use such a harsh word?"

"Isn't this called turning swords into plowshares?"

"If you really want to make an enemy of him, killing Jiang Tianting directly wouldn't be too much to ask."

"It's all Jiang Tianting's fault. His reputation is so bad that even Jiang Shenwei can't say much about it."

"If it were Jiang Tiansheng..."

Yu Tianji remained silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Jiang Tianting is just a reckless brute and a spoiled brat. Apart from the powerful Nine Cauldrons Chamber of Commerce behind him, he is nothing to mention."

"But that Jiang Tiansheng is indeed a troublesome fellow..."

"Li Ping'an, he is probably your greatest enemy now."

Li Ping'an laughed, "This guy is indeed terrifying..."

"I heard Jiang Tianfeng say that this guy has a storage magic item on him, but..."

"I just tried the suspended dragon pattern bracelet on him, and he deliberately didn't wear it. His thoughtfulness is truly admirable!"

Yu Tianji was also taken aback: "Rather than admiring his meticulousness, what's truly astonishing is that you came to extort money and even planned to use the Suspended Dragon Pattern Bracelet to steal it!"

Li Ping'an said, "Since we're destined to be enemies, why bother about the methods?"

Yu Tianji nodded: "That makes sense."

Li Ping'an suddenly paused, and saw Yu Tianji's expression change. He quickly checked his storage ring.

"You little brat, I thought you wouldn't even spare me..."

Li Ping'an: "...What kind of person does the Grand Elder take me for!"

"I would never lay a hand on the Grand Elder!"

"Furthermore, why can't we sense the Grand Elder's storage magic space anymore..."

Yu Tianji: "...You actually gave it a try, kid!"

"Luckily, I was prepared!"

……

Back at the Alliance of Dao Casters, Yu Tianji was in high spirits and treated Li Ping'an to a nice meal.

The beautiful receptionist personally served Li Ping'an, granting him whatever he asked for...

Li Ping'an didn't care about anything else; he ate and drank as he pleased, and enjoyed himself as he pleased.

Yu Tianji sent people to gather information, and soon someone came to report.

It's said that Yun Yaoji and Ren Tianxing went to the Jiuding Chamber of Commerce for "negotiations," and the two sides almost came to blows. Fortunately, Ren Tianxing intervened and prevented a fight, and the final result was...

Yun Yaoji released the severely wounded prisoners, while the Nine Cauldrons Merchant Guild paid a heavy price...

Not only did they spend a huge amount of ransom, but they also agreed to many conditions of the Qingyun Sect, the most important of which was that they could no longer obstruct all of the Qingyun Sect's commercial activities.

On the other side, Su Ziyun and Xiao Xile have already started cooperating with the Eight Desolations Chamber of Commerce and the Seven Star Chamber of Commerce, and have completely revitalized seven or eight sects under the Qingyun Sect, including the Tianlong Sect, Huangtian Sect, Baijin Sect, Qingmu Sect, Heishui Sect, Changhe Sect, and Luori Sect, turning them into a stable output production line.

This included multiple channels such as mining, transportation, distribution, alchemy, weapon crafting, and sales, which completely gave the Qingyun Sect a powerful commercial presence.

At this point, although the Qingyun Sect had only just entered the ninth rank, its forces and its newly established business empire were already comparable to, or even surpassed, those of an eighth-rank sect!

On the other hand, the Qingyun Sect has also reached a cooperation agreement with the Tiandao Sect and the Dao Forging Alliance. Although it has not been explicitly stated, it is already a de facto alliance, strong enough to rival the alliance of the Wuwei Marquis's Mansion and the Jiuding Chamber of Commerce.

Besides these, there is the Wuyai Sect, the only seventh-grade sect in Changping County. They have close ties with the Pill God Tower and almost monopolize the profits of the alchemy industry, making them the third largest force.

……

Li Ping'an was enjoying fine wine and food at the Dao Forging Alliance, with beautiful women by his side, listening to the news of the Qingyun Sect's powerful rise. He was truly enjoying himself to the extreme.

By this time, Yu Tianji had already drunk too much and had gone to sleep.

Only Li Ping'an and the charming and beautiful receptionist remained.

She extended her slender fingers and personally poured a glass of fine wine for Li Ping'an, bringing it to his lips.

Li Pingan glanced at her, but didn't refuse, and drank half a cup in one gulp.

The beautiful receptionist covered her mouth and smiled.

"Master Li has a vast capacity for knowledge."

Li Ping'an asked, "Why are you being so attentive? Is there something you need?"

The beautiful receptionist's eyes sparkled, and she said with a hint of reproach, "What, can't you serve Master Li unless there's something important to do?"

"That's not it. It's just that I see your status in the Dao Forging Alliance. You're second only to the leader and above ten thousand others. It's definitely not as simple as just receiving a regular guest."

"Yet they were so willing to take whatever they wanted from me, which made me feel very happy and satisfied, but it still seemed a bit strange."

The beautiful receptionist smiled sweetly.

"Master Li is indeed insightful; it seems I couldn't hide anything from you after all..."

"I'm not a receptionist, my real name is..."

"Royal Rainbow Robe".

A thought struck Li Ping'an.

"So, you're the Grand Elder's..."

"granddaughter."

"really……"

"If that's the case, why are you pretending to be an ordinary receptionist?"

Yu Nishang chuckled: "When Master Li came that day, he thought I was the one receiving him. I just didn't expose him and went along with it. How can you say I was pretending?"

"...That's true..."

Yu Ni Chang said, "Actually, I do have something to ask of you."

"……really……"

"I would like to ask Master Li to help me refine a magic weapon."

Li Pingan almost spat out his drink.

"Are you kidding me?"

"You're the Grand Elder's granddaughter. If you want to refine magical artifacts, do you need to ask an outsider like me for help?!"

Yu Ni Chang sighed.

"Grandpa's magic weapon is indeed extraordinary, but it lacks some spirituality."

"I've been used to seeing these proper things since I was a child, and I really don't want to be exactly like them..."

She looked at Li Ping'an, her eyes revealing undisguised ambiguity and admiration.

"I still prefer Master Li..."

"Your style."

"That kind of unrestrained, unexpected, indescribable style, and unbound by worldly conventions..."

Li Ping'an: "...You can just say it's indecent, it's fine."

Yu Ni Chang chuckled: "Nonsense, well said, but..."

"What I like most is being unserious..."