An unexpected surprise

"I thank you all for being willing to come," Shen Wen began. His voice wasn't loud, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly. "I need hands to get things done, and you all seek a future and Opportunity."

"Meeting today can be considered the beginning of our karmic bond."

He paused, tapping his fingertip lightly on the tabletop. Seven ordinary-looking jade bottles appeared out of thin air, floating before the seven people.

"Each bottle contains one 'zong ji pill,' which can help a Dou Zong raise their cultivation by one star. Consider it a meeting gift."

As soon as the words 'zong ji pill' were spoken, the breathing in the hall grew several degrees heavier.

The six Dou Zongs' eyes burned with fervor, and even Iron Sword Venerable was slightly moved.

While it wasn't very useful for him, it could still be exchanged for many resources. This gesture also let them know one thing.

Shen Wen was a generous man.

"There aren't many rules to following me," Shen Wen continued. "First, work loyally and do not feign compliance while acting in opposition. Second, do not harm the innocent or damage my reputation. Third, I will not be stingy with the resources and guidance you deserve. But if there is betrayal..."

His gaze swept over them indifferently. Though he didn't finish the sentence, the majesty and coldness contained in that calm gaze made all seven feel a chill in their hearts.

"We are willing to serve Master Shen!" the six Dou Zongs immediately bowed to express their stance. Iron Sword Venerable also cupped his fists and said in a deep voice, "I, Tie, am used to being loose and undisciplined, but since I've taken this gift, I will naturally keep this agreement. If the Master has tasks, simply give the order."

Shen Wen nodded and waved his hand. "Cao Ying will explain the specific matters to you later. You may leave for now."

The seven took their jade bottles and respectfully withdrew.

Only Shen Wen and Cao Ying remained in the hall.

Cao Ying smiled and said, "Husband, your methods are quite straightforward."

"With the zong ji pills leading the way and your status as a Grade 8 Alchemist, these people should be usable in the short term."

Shen Wen gave a hum of agreement. "It's just a preliminary Foundation; they'll still need to be slowly screened and cultivated in the future. What about the businesses?"

Speaking of this, Cao Ying's expression relaxed further. "Those medicinal ingredient channels and pill sales networks that the Cao Family gave as a dowry back then were fully handed over to me by Old Lin a few days ago."

"Previously, Old Lin had always sent people to manage them on my behalf, but now they've finally returned to their original owner."

She paused, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes. "Also, the Cao Family probably saw that Husband's momentum is too strong and felt that the initial dowry was 'shabby.'"

"They took the initiative to send a message the day before yesterday and transferred two profitable cities located on the outskirts of the Pill Domain to my name, saying it was to 'make up' for the dowry."

Hearing this, Shen Wen couldn't help but laugh as well. "They certainly know how to curry favor. Since they gave it, we'll take it."

"Once you've straightened out these channels and businesses, you can gradually interface them with the manpower we are secretly organizing."

"Only by combining the overt and the covert will the Foundation be stable."

"I understand," Cao Ying replied, her eyes shimmering.

The status of a Grade 8 Alchemist, abundant resources, a preliminary gathering of experts, plus the looming support from the Cao Family and within the Pill Tower... Unknowingly, a prototype of a force that could not be underestimated had quietly formed around Shen Wen.

Though it couldn't yet compare to those deeply rooted great families or top Sects, given time, who could predict where its upper limit would be?

As Cao Ying was about to leave, Shen Wen suddenly said to her, "Have Xiong Tao go and capture some people."

Cao Ying looked up, her eyes questioning.

"They must be heinous criminals, preferably Dou Zongs," Shen Wen said in a flat tone. "I have some use for them."

Cao Ying didn't ask for the reason, only nodding in agreement. "Fine, I'll go arrange it now."

She didn't doubt Shen Wen's decision. Her husband always had his reasons for doing things; if he needed it, she would do it.

As for who was caught or what they were used for...

She trusted him.

Shen Wen did indeed have his own plans. He hadn't truly tested the Great Universal Salvation Technique he had recently obtained.

This technique claimed to be able to "deliver all living beings and condense faith."

If it could work on Dou Zong experts, the significance for him would be completely different.

Dou Zuns were rare and could be sought but not easily found.

But Dou Zongs...

On this vast Fighting Qi Continent, their numbers were far beyond what Dou Zuns could compare to.

Especially in those chaotic zones and border powers, there was never a shortage of evildoers and outlaws.

If he could capture them with thunderous methods and then "deliver" them with the Great Universal Salvation Technique, transforming them into loyal and usable subordinates... combined with the mass-producible zong ji pills that could tempt any Dou Zong, he could completely pull together a sizable team of Dou Zongs in a short time!

This was much faster and more "secure" than slowly screening, recruiting, and testing—provided the Great Universal Salvation Technique was indeed effective... On the day of the ceremony, guests swarmed into Pill Tower City.

Compared to the wedding back then when he married Cao Ying, which shook the Pill Domain, today's scene was not inferior in the slightest, and it even added a bit more well-deserved weight.

Back then, most parties were looking at Old Monster Lin, the Cao Family, and Shen Wen's "promising future" potential.

But today, Shen Wen was already a Grade 8 Alchemist in his own right, a rising star of the Pill Tower—he himself was the most solid invitation.

On the plaza, people moved like a flowing tide.

The Dan Ta Three Giants, Little Pill Tower Elders, heads of various great families, and representatives of influential powers from all over the Central Plains... those who could step onto this area were at least of Dou Zong cultivation or local heroes.

Shen Wen stood at the front of the stage, dressed in a black wedding robe with gold patterns.

The dark gold "VIII" badge on his chest silently proclaimed its owner's status under the sunlight.

Cao Ying, dressed in solemn ceremonial robes, moved gracefully among the guests in her capacity as the primary wife, her words and smiles fully displaying the poise of the mistress of the house.

The auspicious hour was approaching.

Supported by Yue Mei and Hua She Er, Cai Lin slowly ascended the stage. She did not wear an elaborate phoenix crown; her magnificent red dress showed her elegance while failing to hide her clearly bulging abdomen.

Her stunning face remained as cold as ever, and her purple eyes only rippled with a hint of soft light when they fell upon Shen Wen.

As soon as she stepped onto the stage, countless gazes from below instantly focused on her waist and abdomen.

"As expected..."

"No wonder they were so hurried to arrange this equal wife ceremony; it turns out she's pregnant."

"The Queen of the Snake-People Tribe... Master Shen has some impressive methods."

"With an heir, his status is even more stable. This lineage is going to take deep root in the Pill Tower."

Low whispers broke out everywhere—some were realizations, some were envy, and some were even deeper calculations.

The fetus in Cai Lin's womb made the significance of this wedding even more different.

Shen Wen seemed oblivious to the gazes below.

He stepped forward and took Cai Lin's hand.

The ceremony was solemn. Under the witness of President Xuan Kongzi as the officiant and countless guests, the two performed the rites and were married; from then on, Cai Lin's status was set as an equal wife.

Just as the final ritual was completed and Shen Wen placed the Red-Gold Luan Pendant, symbolizing the status of an equal wife, onto Cai Lin—

[Cai Lin's status changed: Concubine → Wife.]

[The original reward has fluctuated due to the status upgrade; the compensation mechanism has been activated.]

[Regenerating reward list (based on current Favorability 64%):]

[Initial Reward: Lin Character Secret (Stabilize oneself, impervious to all arts).]

[20%: Shu Secret (One Qi Transforming into Three Purities, external Incarnations).]

[30%: Qian Secret (Cultivate Divine Sense, foresee fortune and woe).]

[40%: Xing Character Secret (Extreme speed, involving time and space).]

[50%: Lightning Emperors Secret Art (Extreme lightning, executing law on behalf of heaven).]

[60%: Zhe Secret (Sacred healing law, unparalleled recovery).]

[Do you wish to receive the rewards?]

The System's prompt rang out clearly.

Shen Wen scanned it with his mind, feeling a slight surge of surprise.

The System was quite generous; an upgrade in status actually brought compensation rewards, and each one given was extraordinary. This was truly an unexpected surprise.