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--- Chapter 47 ---
Dumbfounded.
Utterly dumbfounded.
At first, Ning Fengzhi and two others only came to the Dao Academy to smoothen the relationship between the academy and the people of Heaven Dou Empire.
Unexpectedly, they discovered Dao Academy's real power. Three kinds of drugs can assist the spirit master's training on spirit energy, physique, and spiritual power.
Instantly, the Dao Academy's value soars to the fucking sky. In fact, the existence of Han Yuan and three drugs made this academy a strategic-level resource that one shouldn't underestimate.
Of course, they don't know Han Yuan was the one who created these drugs. Or else they will be more shocked.
It makes Ning Fengzhi reevaluate Dao Academy more.
Then, he realized something.
Ning Fengzhi's eyes slowly widened as he realized a pattern in this whole thing, 'Did that golden member of the Merchant Union know about this beforehand? No, perhaps he has a connection!'
'There is a rumor that Medicine Saint lives in the west. That person could make these drugs, and the mysterious business genius used the newly built Dao Academy as a platform to sell their creations.'
'Hiss, how terrifying! What a deep business scheme!'
Unknowingly, Han Yuan escaped a disaster by creating multiple identities for himself, whether Merchant Union's Golden Member or Medicine Saint (Drug Lord). Each identity covered up for him to be free in public.
Of course, Han Yuan should thank Ning Fengzhi for his overthinking and rich imagination. Hehe, as expected of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's Leader, who was known for his fox-like intelligence.
At the moment, Ning Fengzhi thought of a way to get the best piece of the pie.
After all, he has entered another businessman's territory and couldn't possibly retreat, or the reputation his clan built would be nothing.
He smiled at Han Yuan like they are a close family, "Xiao Yuan, Uncle wants to know how much Mystic Water Pills, Foundation Building Liquids, and Holy Abyss Pills the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan can exchange besides our deal with Heart Separation Control."
"If possible, Uncle will take everything you have in store."
"At the same time, I'd like to send my regards to someone..."
"Someone?" Han Yuan was genuinely puzzled, but Ning Fengzhi smiled and took it as horrible acting.
Ning Fengzhi nodded, "Yes, I'm talking about the mysterious investor of the Dao Academy, the Merchant Union's only golden member."
"I know you can't expose his identity, but I'd like to say in my regard that Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan means no harm in this visit."
"Uh, okay." Han Yuan awkwardly replied. He finally understood why Ning Fengzhi acted like this. This shrewd old fox probably thought the golden member of Merchant Union was the angel investor behind Dao Academy and had a big plan for it.
Too bad for Ning Fengzhi. While his guest is correct, he doesn't know Han Yuan was the Merchant Union's mysterious golden member.
Ning Fengzhi foolishly fell into the hole he dug himself.
Han Yuan could have told Ning Fengzhi, but why should he? It's such a massive advantage, so why would he abandon it?
The information gap allowed Han Yuan to use the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan even further while doing things under everyone's noses.
"This... The Heaven Dou Imperial Family also would like to purchase those three drugs, Xiao Yan." Xue Qinghe (Qian Renxue) suddenly said. "We can trade with some resources that usually won't be used."
"Oh, like?" Han Yuan's eyes lit up and sparkled like there were stars in them.
Xue Qinghe smiled, "Spirit Bones."
"I think it's worth trading some sets of Mystic Water Pill, Foundation Building Liquid, and Holy Abyss Pill with spirit bones. Better than them building dust in the royal treasure."
"Hmm, but not all Spirit Bones are good. If we exchange eventually, the Spirit Bones might not find their owner soon." Han Yuan replied cautiously.
"We can discuss it." Xue Qinghe chuckled softly.
"Don't limit yourself like this, Xiao Yuan."
"Hmm, you're right." Han Yuan nodded in agreement.
"Well, let's do this."
"Uncle Ning and Brother Prince, I can trade ten sets of three drugs to Heaven Dou Empire and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan each."
"While spirit bones are good, I prefer exchanging these drugs with rare metals, remains of ancient spirit beasts, and knowledge more."
Ning Fengzhi sighed in relief, "That would be easy then. Rare metals and remains of ancient beasts are plenty in our clan's treasure. You can come to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to get them, and I will arrange for someone to teach you Heart Separation Control."
"You are also free to access our library, which holds extensive knowledge of many fields."
Xue Qinghe added while smiling at Han Yuan, "I will also give you the same treatment, Xiao Yuan. I will bestow you with Noble's Title, some veins of rare minerals, and access to Ancient Beast's remains. You may also enter the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy and access the Imperial Library there."
"Well, let's forget about the noble title." Han Yuan hesitated before saying indifferently.
Seeing this, Ning Fengzhi and Xua Qinghe couldn't help but exchange because this young man might have more trouble with noblemen than they initially thought.
However, they didn't force it because they only met and knew each other today.
"Since you don't want the title. Then, I will give the ownership of Desolate Mountain Range to Dao Academy." Xue Qinghe smoothly changed his proposal. "Plus, the three rare mineral veins nearby?"
"What do you think of this change?"
Han Yuan smiled, "That sounds fantastic."
"We have a deal, Big Brother!"
"I've been calling you Xiao Yan. You can call me Brother Qinghe." Xue Qinghe interjected with a warm look.
"Thank you, Brother Qinghe!" Han Yuan replied passionately.
After that, Han Yuan placed two metal boxes on the stone table before Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe. Inside these crates are five sets of drugs that he promoted expertly earlier.
"I can only give half of the promised sets until you gathered the things. When I got them, I will give Uncle Ning and Brother Qinghe the other helf."
Ning Fengzhi checked the product and nodded, "Well, that's acceptable. It's nice to make a deal with a clever boy like you, Xiao Yuan."
Han Yuan laughed softly, "I should be saying that, Uncle Ning. I needed more books so I could learn more about martial souls."
"The feeling of discovering the unknown gives me joy."
"And I admired you for that." Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but praise Han Yuan again.
The Path of Spirit Master hasn't disappeared despite the long passage of time because of noble people like Han Yuan. They carried the inheritance for future generations!
"Fengzhi is right. You're admirable, boy." Gu Rong agreed with Ning Fengzhi's statement, finding Han Yuan pleasant in his eyes.
If possible, Gu Rong wanted to accept Han Yuan as his disciple.
Yet, he was too afraid he couldn't teach this kind of genius.
A genius like Han Yuan rarely needed teachers. They only needed advice and the personal experience of experts as guidance before creating a unique path for themselves.
"Also, I've been curious about something." Xue Qinghe's eyes flashed with a hint of tenderness. "What is your martial soul, Xiao Yuan?"
Hearing this question, Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong also realized they had never seen Han Yuan's martial soul despite him summoning his three spirit rings earlier.
Han Yuan scratched his head helplessly, raising his palm and summoning several blades of purple grass. "My martial soul is a mutated Blue Silver Grass, which gained a strong life and lightning element."
"It's a positive mutation of Blue Silver Grass, and I awakened it with Innate Spirit Power of level 5."
"Your innate spirit power is only level 5?" Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong were shocked.
"Yes." Han Yuan replied modestly.
If Ning Fengzhi and Qian Renxue dug deeper, they would also discover his "real" age and background as an orphan with one family member left in Green Stone Village because his information was 'literally' recorded in the Spirit Hall's branch of Free Leaf City and arrived at the Spirit City one year ago.
Han Yuan was a step too late to erase his trace there, but he couldn't do anything about it. Weirdly enough, the Spirit Hall doesn't seem to care about Han Yuan because he hasn't really revealed himself all this time.
Well, that would be a surprise for them later.
Meanwhile, Xue Qinghe (Qian Renxue) was stunned.
She looked at the Purple Silver Grass on Han Yuan's palm and felt a deep connection between it and her "Seraphim" martial soul as if it were a natural attraction.
Han Yuan finally met Xue Qinghe's fiery gaze and immediately felt a sting on his head. This weird sensation lasted for a split second and turned into complete harmony.
'This sensation...' They were shocked.
'There is no mistake...'
'This is...'
'Martial Soul Fusion!'