46: Wang Teng: First of all, I didn’t mess with any of you!

Wang Teng was utterly clueless at this point, just running as fast as he could.

What else could he do but run? The cracking sounds behind him were like Soulsnatch (Duó Hún) scythes constantly exploding in his ears!

People on both sides quickly made way, and Wang Teng roared.

"Old man! First! I didn't provoke any of you!"

"You still dare to talk back? I think you really need a beating! It's only been a month, and you couldn't resist running back?"

"What are you talking about, old man! Why don't I understand?"

"It's fine if you don't understand, as long as I can beat you!"

"Is there any connection between these sentences?"

Wang Chen was furious at his lack of ambition and unfortunate fate, raging continuously.

Wang Teng, being only at the first level of Qi Refining, could not possibly outrun Wang Chen, who was at a higher level of Qi Refining. In an instant, an old but still powerful figure straddled Wang Teng's back!

He stepped on Wang Teng's back with one foot and began to beat him fiercely!

"Ah! Ah! Ah! Old man! I refuse to accept this! Why are you hitting me again!"

"You ask why? Tell me, what did you do to make Shen Li return you?"

"Return what? Why don't I understand?"

Wang Chen sneered.

"You think pretending to be dumb will let you off? Don't even think about it!"

Miserable screams followed one after another.

Wang Teng was on the verge of tears at this moment.

Meanwhile, Shen Li casually bought a candied hawthorn, leaning leisurely against the wall of the Cang Bao Lou (Treasure Pavilion), watching Wang Teng get beaten.

He watched and marveled.

Finally, Wang Teng saw Shen Li and shouted loudly.

"Shen! Save me quickly!"

The crowd looked over. Shen Li immediately threw the candied hawthorn behind him and stepped forward with a worried expression.

"Oh, Wang Family Uncle, what happened? Did Brother Wang make another mistake?"

Wang Chen saw Shen Li, paused for a moment, then asked.

"Did this kid offend you?"

"No?" Shen Li looked bewildered.

Wang Chen continued to ask.

"Then why did you send him back so quickly? Nephew, we can talk things through nicely."

Upon seeing this, Shen Li seemed to 'suddenly realize,' slapping his forehead.

"Uncle, look at my memory. Brother Wang and I killed some bandits a few days ago and seized some things. We were thinking of selling some of them to buy some supplies."

"Brother Wang contributed greatly to this incident and has reached the threshold for a Breakthrough. Since Black Ridge City has no Spiritual Vein, he thought of coming to the market to Breakthrough."

Wang Chen was stunned, then coughed twice and got off Wang Teng's back.

He still glared at Wang Teng angrily.

"Why didn't you say so earlier?"

Wang Teng's face was covered in footprints, and he looked like he was about to cry.

"You started hitting me as soon as you came. How could I say anything? Who would I say it to?"

"Isn't this bullying an honest person?"

Seeing this, Wang Chen decided to play along, puffing out his beard and glaring.

"What nonsense are you talking about? I'm teaching you a lesson for your own good!"

"?"

"Why don't others teach you a lesson? Don't you think about your own problems?"

"?"

"Alright, since you're back, go pay your respects to the Immortal Master first, then find an Immortal Cave to Breakthrough, okay?"

"?"

Wang Teng looked confused.

"I got beaten for nothing?"

Wang Chen squinted at him.

"What, you want to hit me back?"

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare, this humble one wouldn't dare."

"That's more like it. Get lost."

The Wang Family disciples on both sides escorted the pitiful Wang Teng away. At this moment, Wang Chen came forward, smiling and speaking casually.

"I see that my nephew came out of the Cang Bao Lou (Treasure Pavilion). I imagine you've gained quite a bit. Is there anything my Wang Family can help with?"

Shen Li cupped his hands and said.

"Indeed, there are some matters I need Uncle's help with."

"Speak freely."

The two returned to the main hall. Upon entering the door, Shen Li noticed another person, sitting politely in the guest's seat.

Her appearance was delicate, yet she possessed the demeanor of a distinguished family.

Upon seeing Shen Li, she also rose slightly.

"Qi Sect's Ou Yening, greetings, Fellow Daoist."

"Shen Family's Shen Li, greetings, Fellow Daoist."

Wang Chen chuckled as he introduced the two, then sat down and said.

"Both of you are talented individuals. You should interact more frequently in the future."

"The Black Horn Mountain Range is extremely dangerous, with fierce folk customs and rampant bandits, but it is rich in resources and has many Yao Beasts. Niece Ou Ye, you can discuss with Shen Li; opening a branch store in his territory would also be a good idea."

"Shen Li, this is a Qi Sect disciple. You should know the Qi Sect's status."

"That is natural..."

Shen Li smiled.

The lady also smiled, simply rising.

"Since the two of you have important matters to discuss, Ning will not linger any longer."

"Young Master Shen, if you need anything, you can find me at the Qi Sect."

Shen Li smiled and agreed.

He watched Ou Yening walk away.

Wang Chen continued.

"There are no outsiders here now. Tell me, why did you seek me out this time?"

Shen Li stated his request, but Wang Chen pondered for a moment and said.

"There aren't many common martial artists with clear backgrounds. On this point, I cannot help you. Your Shen Family will need to relocate some from the interior."

"The forbidden crossbow you seek, I have it. The Wang Family also phased out a batch of heavy crossbow bolts some years ago. Giving them to your Shen Family would not be a taboo."

"Below Qi Refining eighth level, they can kill!"

"However, even close brothers must settle accounts clearly. Have you prepared the Spirit Stones?"

"That is natural."

"The Dao Artifact cultivation method is also available, named Yuting Guard. This method mostly uses jade as Materials to cultivate Dao Artifacts. Upon Major Achievement, their Physical Body is as hard as gold and jade, and their value is equally high."

"Please instruct me, Uncle, how many Spirit Stones are needed?"

"Four thousand."

Shen Li was a bit embarrassed.

"Uncle, I really can't afford..."

"No matter, just take it and use it for now."

Wang Chen chuckled, not caring about these things, and casually said.

"It's a good thing that fellow Wang Teng was able to Breakthrough and even saw blood in just one month."

"He is too unyielding. Seeing too much blood would destabilize his Heart-Nature and make him bloodthirsty. However, upon his return this time, I haven't seen his Heart-Nature worsen. It seems following you was indeed the correct decision."

"Originally, I thought this scoundrel would need another year and a half to regain his Heart-Nature and Breakthrough his Realm, but I didn't expect the speed to increase so greatly. This is all your credit."

"So, owing some Spirit Stones is not a big deal."

"Anyway, my nephew, you are not an outsider, and you have the Shen Family as your guarantor."

"As for the magazines, you don't need any Spirit Stones to buy them. Just take them and read them."

"But nephew, while it's good to talk and read, don't get too immersed in it. Don't forget your mission is to be stationed in Yellow Sand Plains and strengthen the Shen Family's Foundation."

"Those illusory things, if you can put them aside, then put them aside."

Shen Li nodded in agreement, smiling as he said.

"Thank you for the guidance."

"No matter."

"Although you have the Dao Artifact cultivation method, you must still be quite short of able-bodied young men, right?"

"I remember... not far from the Black Horn Mountain Range, there's a Lone Blade Peak with a small cold stone Spiritual Vein that's almost depleted."

"You could start from there."

"The bodies of those abducted young men have long been eroded by cold jade, and they will be useless when the mine is exhausted... I'm afraid the Jue Family will dispose of them."

"If you want them, I'll have someone send them to you. You can coordinate with the Jue Family yourself."

"Thank you, Uncle."

Shen Li cupped his hands, but saw Wang Chen pick up his teacup and take a sip.

"No matter, it's just a small matter."

"Uncle is benevolent."