Chapter 27: Underlying Currents Stir

Seeing that Liu Junhuai was a straightforward man, Xiang Yuanjia and Zhong Zhaigu were more than happy to accompany him as he continued his selection. After choosing another dozen or so demon cores, the trio ascended to the third floor.

The jade gourd that Manager Wu had mentioned indeed brought joy to Liu Junhuai’s heart. This jade gourd could be considered a magical treasure, though it possessed no offensive or defensive properties. It resembled a storage ring shaped like a gourd; once refined, it could expand or contract at will, and could even store living creatures.

Liu Junhuai had already mastered the Body Tempering Technique at the icy pool where the Extreme Cold Crystal resided. He had originally wanted to bring back some of the pool’s water, but had lacked a suitable vessel. Now, this gourd could be put to use. With it, he could carry the pool water into Myriad Phenomena Tower and create a small pool inside for his cultivation—perfect for tempering his body.

He inquired about the price: ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones.

Liu Junhuai suspected the jade gourd must have other, unknown functions. Fortunately, he possessed a large quantity of spirit stones; ten thousand mid-grade stones would not hurt him.

After leaving Lingxiao Pavilion, Liu Junhuai followed the grandfather and grandson back to Treasure Loft.

Having purchased the Thunderous Eight Directions Technique, they sat together in a guest room, sipping tea.

“What do you make of the Shangyu Merchant Guild matter?” Manager Wu asked.

Liu Junhuai considered for a moment before replying, “Senior Wu, are you familiar with the Dragon Sacrificial Pool in Pingdu City?”

Upon hearing this, Manager Wu understood much. “If the Dragon Sacrificial Pool incident was also their doing, then the matter is complicated. The perpetrator’s strength must far exceed the Foundation Establishment stage. There are few Golden Core cultivators in the entire Yunluo Mountains, and they are said to have long since withdrawn from worldly affairs. So, where did all these Golden Core, even Nascent Soul stage cultivators, come from?”

Liu Junhuai admired Manager Wu’s sharp insight. He himself understood a little, for he had seen some clues, but Manager Wu seemed to grasp it as if he, too, had witnessed the events.

“That is the crux of the problem. By rights, Golden Core experts ought not to exist in our world any longer, let alone Nascent Soul cultivators. This suggests it is no simple matter of robbery and murder—it is a premeditated plot to overturn the entire continent,” Liu Junhuai stated, not concealing his own view.

“And why do you think so?” Manager Wu asked with interest.

“Because both incidents were plotted in advance, both were traps. I suspect the appearance of the Blazing Ganoderma and the Mysterious Pearl Grass was unnatural; they are not of this world. Didn’t you find last night’s auction peculiar? By convention, such rare immortal herbs would be the final items auctioned on the last day,” Liu Junhuai explained.

Manager Wu’s eyes lit up. “Yes, normally, most treasures would already be auctioned off over several days. That’s how it should have been.”

“Then, does this mean there was a collaborator inside the Shangyu Merchant Guild?” Wu Shaoyuan interjected.

Manager Wu gave his grandson an approving glance. “Not just a collaborator—perhaps the very organizer.”

Liu Junhuai added, “In my opinion, the inside man is among those who tried to halt the auction. He may not be a member of the Merchant Guild, but could well be from one of the sects.”

“Still, their goal was treasure, wasn’t it? What does that have to do with overturning the continent?” Wu Shaoyuan questioned doubtfully.

“Think about it—so many disciples of various sects died. What do you think their sects will do tomorrow?” Manager Wu retorted.

Liu Junhuai picked up the conversation. “They are no less intelligent than we are; they will certainly suspect there’s a traitor among them. With a dozen sects, what do you think will happen if they start to suspect each other?”

“Internal strife!” Wu Shaoyuan responded without hesitation.

“Exactly! But then why was there no such infighting after the Dragon Sacrificial Pool incident?” Liu Junhuai asked.

Wu Shaoyuan looked blankly at his grandfather, saying nothing.

“Let me answer,” Manager Wu said. “It’s because there were survivors—not just one, but several. This means they saw the perpetrator.”

At this, Manager Wu pondered for a moment before clapping his hands against his knees. “That must be it. It seems chaos is about to engulf the world.”

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed up the stairs.

A pretty little girl appeared before them.

“Grandpa, Nini missed you,” she said, burrowing into Manager Wu’s arms.

“It’s only been an hour since you saw me,” Manager Wu said fondly, stroking her hair. “Go on, greet your elder brother—this is Brother Liu.”

“Nini won’t call him brother—he doesn’t look older than me.” The girl tilted her head, nibbling her fingernails in an adorable way.

Liu Junhuai chuckled, covering his mouth.

Manager Wu laughed as well. “This is my granddaughter, Wu Bini. She’s fifteen years old.”

“Then I should call you elder sister—I’m not yet fifteen,” Liu Junhuai joked.

“Really?” Manager Wu rose in surprise, and Wu Shaoyuan covered his mouth in astonishment.

“To be precise, I’m not yet fourteen,” Liu Junhuai confessed, deciding not to hide anything. The Wu family gave him a sense of kinship he hadn’t felt in a long time.

Manager Wu hesitated, then asked, “Which great family are you from? And how did you cultivate to such a high level?” He then regretted it and waved his hand. “No need to answer—consider it never asked. I’m old and sometimes muddleheaded.”

Liu Junhuai didn’t mind and briefly recounted his family circumstances. All three members of the Wu family looked somber; Wu Bini even began to cry. “I thought my brother and I had suffered enough—sigh!”

Wu Shaoyuan reached out and gave Liu Junhuai a firm clap on the shoulder. “From now on, I’m your brother.”

Manager Wu was filled with emotion, shaking his head in silence as he gazed at Liu Junhuai.

“Little brother, what level have you reached in your cultivation?” Wu Bini asked, playfully ruffling Liu Junhuai’s hair, making the three of them burst into laughter.

“This little brother of yours is already at the ninth level of Qi Refinement,” Manager Wu teased his granddaughter.

“That can’t be! Ninth level at fourteen? Foundation Establishment at fifteen?” Wu Bini gaped at Liu Junhuai in shock.

“It’s not impossible—I’ve just been lucky. Besides, I’m a genius. I plan to reach Foundation Establishment at fifteen, Nascent Soul at sixteen, and Spirit Severing at seventeen,” Liu Junhuai said, feeling exceptionally cheerful in the company of the Wu family. Since his mother’s passing, he hadn’t relaxed so much; after all, he was still just a child, and now he even joked along.

Wu Shaoyuan laughed. “I might as well follow you from now on. I’m already twenty and only at the eighth level of Qi Refinement. You must have some secret manual.”

“No secret manual, but I have plenty of treasures,” Liu Junhuai said, taking out three small pieces of Gold Essence Stone. “Here, a little gift from me.”

The siblings took them, reacting calmly, but Manager Wu nearly leapt to his feet.

“This—this is Gold Essence Stone? Good heavens, you’ve gotten all the treasures! But your Gold Essence Stone is too precious—we can’t accept it.”

Liu Junhuai pushed back Manager Wu’s outstretched hand with a smile. “I have more; it’s nothing. I simply feel we get along well.”

Wu Bini leaned in until her nose nearly touched Liu Junhuai’s and asked, “Is this treasure really valuable? Why don’t you marry me? Then all your treasures will be mine.” She tried to wink at him in an imitation of adult coquettishness, looking irresistibly charming.

Liu Junhuai blushed furiously, at a loss for words.

Wu Shaoyuan stared, mouth agape. “Nini, you’re outrageous! So young and already trying to seduce him?”

Manager Wu laughed so hard he began coughing.

Happy times are always fleeting. That night, Liu Junhuai did not return but stayed to talk with the family all night. Still thinking of his cultivation, he told Manager Wu the next day that he would take his leave. Manager Wu pressed a Foundation Establishment Pill into his hand.

The siblings were reluctant to part, Wu Bini even laying her tearful face on Liu Junhuai’s shoulder. Wu Shaoyuan clamored to accompany Liu Junhuai to find Shen Duoduo.

In the end, Manager Wu spoke. “You go to Yunluo City and bring Shen Duoduo here. Don’t let her return to the Shen family—after you’ve avenged your kin, you can come back for her. With Nini here to keep her company, and if necessary, bring her father too. Treat this as your home.”

Liu Junhuai was deeply moved. Manager Wu’s words reminded him that, when he avenged his family, Uncle Huan and his family would also be affected. Arranging for them to stay here was a wise alternative.

Wu Bini whispered in Liu Junhuai’s ear, “Don’t worry, little brother. Bring Duoduo here so she can keep Grandpa company. Once I’ve finished my cultivation, I’ll help you take revenge. But when you come back, bring more treasures so I can practice faster.”

Liu Junhuai felt a strange itch in his heart, wondering if this was what people on Earth in his previous life called puppy love—though this was perhaps a bit too early.

Manager Wu’s full name was Wu Yaohan, a name that always sounded familiar to Liu Junhuai.

“Take care on your journey. When you return, Grandpa will give you something special. But you must promise me one thing: once you’ve avenged your family, you must marry both Nini and Duoduo,” Wu Yaohan said solemnly.

Liu Junhuai’s legs gave way, and he collapsed to the floor.