Chapter Twenty-Three: My Daughter Possesses Celestial Beauty! Grateful for the fan gift from Jiang Chen Jugo.

Returning from his thoughts, Jiang Yu smiled warmly. “I’ll accept this favor from the Xia family.”

Hearing this, Xia Housheng was filled with both gratitude and trepidation. He immediately clasped his hands in a respectful salute. “I wouldn’t dare presume, Master Jiang. It is the fortune of our Xia family to receive your gracious favor.”

He couldn’t even remember how many years it had been since he’d spoken to anyone in such a humble tone; every word was imbued with utmost reverence. Even in the past, when faced with the top leader in Jiangbei, Xia Housheng had only dealt with him as an equal. Anyone who had clawed their way to such heights carried an innate arrogance. Only those like the great masters of the Hejin sect, dragons among men, could make these lords of commerce, accustomed to wielding power with a single hand, bow their heads in submission.

Seeing Xia Housheng extend the olive branch, Jiang Yu did not refuse.

Cultivation was, after all, a path that defied the heavens, rejected by all worldly laws. In this era of decline, where immortals had vanished and all things withered, the journey to seek the Dao alone was truly arduous. If he could develop some connections and use their strength to assist him within reason, the road ahead would be much easier.

Take, for example, the piece of Azurewater Golden Flame in his hand. If he had to search for it on his own, he might not find it even in several centuries.

Jiang Yu’s smile faded, and he spoke calmly. “Very well. I’ll need to trouble you and your family with another favor. Soon, I’ll write down the names of several medicinal ingredients. Only a powerful family like yours could handle this task.”

Xia Housheng’s heart trembled. Could it be—was he going to personally refine pills?

In this modern age, true alchemical pills had disappeared for centuries. The ancient “Shan Hai Secret Record” mentions that in antiquity, real pills existed in the world, capable of extending life, reviving the dead, and even regenerating flesh from bone. According to old texts, a single pill could cure terminal diseases or rabies—wondrous medicines verging on the immortal.

Xia Housheng’s heart pounded. If such pills truly existed, the entire world would be thrown into chaos. Even the machinery of the state might be drawn in. With such divine objects, the world could advance into a new era, one where humanity lived without illness or pain, and lifespans stretched for a hundred more years.

Jiang Yu saw through Xia Housheng’s thoughts and smiled. “You guessed right. It is indeed for alchemy. Your family will cover the cost of the ingredients. When the pills are complete, I’ll leave a few for you.”

Xia Housheng nodded eagerly. “Even if you left nothing, our Xia family would give our all.”

A fine move—retreating in order to advance. He truly was a seasoned veteran of the marketplace.

Jiang Yu nodded. “Let me ask you, where did you acquire that stone?”

Once, traces of true immortals had appeared on Earth, and it was only natural that some celestial treasures remained.

Xia Housheng thought carefully. “That stone came to me a few years ago, when I was inspecting a patch of primeval forest in Huaizhou. A local villager gave it to me. There’s a rumor that people in that village are under a curse: no one, man or woman, lives past forty.”

“Oh?”

Jiang Yu tilted his head, his interest piqued.

A curse—such things were mere superstition, nothing more than the arts of the Wu shamans of the southern tribes.

Xia Housheng continued, “When those people reach a certain age, they fall ill and die. The symptoms are just like mine: their skin cracks all over, their blood turns golden and emits a strange fragrance. I recall that during my visit, I smelled a strong, sweet scent—the same as that stone in your hand.”

“The locals use that substance as incense to repel mosquitoes. I once saw a stone the size of a wooden basin in a villager’s house...”

Even with Jiang Yu’s composure, he nearly jumped up at these words.

The size of a wooden basin? Unless it was a cold-pool coral grown for more than ten thousand years...

Xia Housheng clearly noticed Jiang Yu’s reaction—the way his eyes blazed, as if an addict had seen his drug.

“But that was many years ago. It’s probably long gone by now.”

Jiang Yu nodded. It seemed the time had come to pay that place a visit.

Cold-pool coral and Azurewater Golden Flame—these were the essential ingredients for refining a supreme elixir.

Xia Housheng added, “If Master Jiang wishes to go, I can personally guide you.”

Jiang Yu nodded. “Very well. When the time comes, I will grant your Xia family a stroke of fortune, enough to guarantee your prosperity for three hundred years.”

Had anyone else uttered this, Xia Housheng would have scoffed. Three hundred years of unbroken fortune? Absurd.

But the words came from a master of formations, a grand alchemist, a leading expert in the Hejin arts—a future terrestrial immortal, a peer of Gu Changsheng himself.

In the way of cultivation, such a one was called the Divine Conductor.

A terrestrial immortal was like a living god, able to command the wind and rain, pluck stars and grasp the moon. Legend had it that such beings lived for over three centuries. In ancient times, they would have been granted the title of National Protector Mage, safeguarding a dynasty’s fate for centuries.

Gu Changsheng’s status today was just like that of a National Protector Mage of old—one of the founding marshals! For a hundred years, Gu Changsheng alone had anchored the fortunes of all China.

To gain the support of a future terrestrial immortal—Xia Housheng grew more and more excited, as if blessed by the heavens.

In that case, not just little Jiangbei, but even the world-renowned Rothschild family might find the Xia family an equal rival.

His spirits soaring, Xia Housheng bowed even lower. “Henceforth, the left branch of the Xia family will take Master Jiang as its leader.”

Outside, a hearty laugh rang out.

Li Hao burst into laughter. “Xia Housheng, at least you know what’s what. My teacher’s abilities are far beyond the imagination of you worldly folks. Never mind terrestrial immortals—perhaps one day, he’ll even reach the legendary rank of heavenly immortal!”

A heavenly immortal? Could such beings really exist in this world? Would they not, as legends say, cross the void and move mountains in the blink of an eye?

Jiang Yu’s mood was lifted. Since his soul’s transmigration, he had been plagued by melancholy. Only by advancing from the Qi Refining stage to the Foundation Building stage would his affliction be cured. Now, with the Azurewater Golden Flame in hand and a clue to the cold-pool coral, he finally saw hope.

The two walked out of the secret chamber. Xia Housheng turned to Li Hao, smiling and chiding him. “So, Li Hao, I always wondered how a rough fellow from the gray areas suddenly became a master of inner strength. Turns out you’ve had Master Jiang backing you all along.”

Li Hao just shook his head. “I told you—my teacher’s abilities are beyond your imagination. Master Jiang will bring you even more surprises.”

Standing quietly behind the others, Xia Ning fixed her gaze on Jiang Yu, her eyes shining.

What did it mean to be a true man? To be like Jiang Yu—single-handedly suppressing all the lords of Cloud City, like a deity descended to earth.

“Aren’t we about the same age?”

“Among my peers, as the proud daughter of the Xia family, I always thought I would stand above all others. Yet while I boasted of my own achievements, Jiang Yu at my age already commands the respect of both Li Hao and my father. Even if I tried for a lifetime, I might never reach his heights.”

“Truly, the heroes of the world come from the youth, just as the ancients said.”

A hint of frustration flickered in Xia Ning’s heart. As a favored daughter of heaven, she was as renowned as Xia Qinghan from the right branch. In beauty, talent, and background, both were nearly unmatched in Cloud City. Even if Yuan Tiangang had joined the Dragon Soaring Unit and attained the rank of captain at such a young age, he still had to show her proper respect.

But before Jiang Yu...

Biting her crimson lips, Xia Ning’s pride melted away.

With the Azurewater Golden Flame in hand, Jiang Yu did not linger. “From now on, I’ll come every day to treat the Xia family head. In less than a month, he’ll be as lively as ever.”

“It’s time for me to go.”

With those light words, Jiang Yu turned to leave, Li Hao hurrying after him.

Standing where he was, Xia Housheng instructed Xia Wuchang, “Investigate Master Jiang’s background. In future, look after his people when you can.”

Xia Wuchang nodded. “Understood.”

Xia Housheng turned to Xia Ning. “I know you have high standards and never look twice at your peers. Master Jiang is about your age—you’d best be careful. There are many beauties in Cloud City.”

Xia Ning blushed, pouting. “Old rascal, you’re so annoying.”

Xia Wuchang laughed heartily. “It’s been years since I felt this excited. Xia Ning, you’ve brought a great fortune to our family.”

Xia Ning lifted her snowy chin with pride. “Of course. I have an eye for true talent.”

But inside, a trace of sadness lingered. “Yes, there are many beauties in Cloud City. Even Xia Qinghan is no less than I. In the future, Jiang Yu’s stage will not be confined to Jiangbei. All of China, the whole world, will be his sky to soar. With so many beauties in this world, how could I ever stand out?”

Biting her lower lip, Xia Ning suddenly felt all her confidence dissolve.

Xia Housheng patted her head. “My daughter is truly of immortal quality. Master Jiang is indeed peerless, but you are more than worthy of him. Don’t let yourself feel inferior. If you fail to catch his eye, it just means it wasn’t meant to be.”

Xia Ning nodded. “I understand.”

Xia Housheng continued, “Soon, Jiangbei will host an underground boxing tournament. For years, our left branch has been suppressed by the right, simply because they have more martial artists. If we can secure Master Jiang’s support, perhaps the tide will turn.”

Xia Ning frowned in worry. “I just fear that the master supporting the right branch will step in. Jiang Yu is still so young, will he be able...”