Chapter 7

Although Taian City isn’t small, special herbs and higher-grade beast cores are not directly available for purchase in stores. These items are usually sent to auction houses to fetch higher rewards. The remaining items can only be found in the free trade markets. Each major family manages its own market, but these are merely mid-level markets where the traded goods aren’t particularly rare. 

Lin Xuan intended to visit the largest market in Taian City, which is overseen by the city lord. The city lord is the only warrior at the Qi Sea Realm within Taian City, and high-grade herbs and beast cores are usually traded at the high-level market. 

Soon, Lin Xuan and Lin Yanran arrived at this exclusive marketplace. 

“No wonder it’s the largest market in Taian City! Even the guards at the entrance are True Essence Realm warriors.” 

Lin Xuan glanced at the two burly men stationed at the entrance, silently impressed. 

A warrior at the True Essence Realm could be considered an elder in the Lin family! Even the Lin family’s patriarch was only at the seventh level of the True Essence Realm, and his grandfather, the family’s great elder, was at the sixth level. 

Yet these two guards were both at the third level of the True Essence Realm! 

 [Ding! A task has been detected to help grow your family’s prestige. First-phase task issued.]

 [Objective: Make the Lin family the most powerful in Taian City. Reward: Primary inheritance lottery draw.] 

Lin Xuan was momentarily stunned. He didn’t expect a task to be triggered so soon. 

“Not bad,” he thought with a smile. While he had no objections to helping his family grow, he knew that even without the task, he would assist the Lin family. After all, they had sheltered him selflessly as he embarked on his cultivation journey. His goal was to make the Lin family the most powerful in Taian City—and eventually, in the entire Dayan Dynasty. 

“What’s on your mind, Brother Lin Xuan?” Lin Yanran waved her fair hand in front of his face, her curious gaze fixed on him. 

Lin Xuan shook his head and gently ruffled her hair. “Nothing, just some thoughts,” he replied with a soft smile. 

“Hmmph!” The playful girl pouted, her delicate face brimming with charm. However, the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her happiness. 

Lin Yanran was already stunningly beautiful, and her playful demeanor attracted many glances from passersby. But when they realized who the pair were, they quickly dropped any inappropriate thoughts. 

Whether it was the fairy-like beauty of Lin Yanran or the cool and distant demeanor of Lin Xuan, neither was someone ordinary people could provoke. 

Lin Xuan took Lin Yanran by the hand and entered the market. With his knowledge of Emperor-level alchemy techniques, his ability to recognize rare herbs and authentic beast cores was unmatched. He could easily spot valuable materials or identify fake goods at a glance. 

With this expertise, Lin Xuan navigated the market effortlessly. Over the years, he had saved nearly 100,000 low-grade Yuanshi, thanks to his grandfather’s frugality. For Lin Baye, Lin Xuan’s grandfather, the family came first, and he had devoted his life to it. Lin Xuan, being the sole focus of his grandfather’s care, inherited these savings as a token of trust. 

Lin Xuan now had the spending power of a millionaire. Few in Taian City could match his wealth. 

– Second-grade wind beast core: 8,000 low-grade Yuanshi—bought! 

– Second-grade herb: Lily of the Valley—bought! 

– A rare third-grade spirit herb misidentified as a first-grade Scarlet Face Fruit—jackpot! 

– A withered third-grade herb, Danxia Leaf—no thanks! 

Using his advanced alchemy knowledge, Lin Xuan made excellent purchases. He spent just 50,000 Yuanshi yet obtained three overlooked third-grade herbs, each worth at least 50,000 Yuanshi. Typically, such herbs would only be found at auctions. 

Many high-grade herbs resemble low-grade ones, and only someone with extensive alchemy training could identify the difference. This gave Lin Xuan the upper hand in seizing hidden treasures. 

Besides herbs, he also bought several beast cores and elixirs of the first and second grades. 

As he walked, Lin Xuan’s gaze landed on a stall selling exquisite jewelry. One piece in particular caught his attention—a bracelet made from violet crystal, adorned with a small square silver pendant. The bracelet shimmered faintly under the light, captivating in its beauty. 

“How much is this bracelet?” Lin Xuan asked the stall owner with a smile. 

Noticing Lin Xuan’s refined appearance, the owner beamed. “Ah, young master, you have excellent taste! This is the ‘Dream Bracelet,’ crafted from rare crystals by a master artificer. It even has a cooling effect in summer and a warming effect in winter. Only 13,000 low-grade Yuanshi.” 

Hearing the price, Lin Yanran was taken aback. Thirteen thousand Yuanshi were no small sum, even for the Lin family! 

Though tempted by the beautiful bracelet, Lin Yanran felt reluctant to accept such an expensive gift. But before she could protest, Lin Xuan had already paid the price without hesitation. 

The bracelet, though exquisite, was slightly overpriced at 13,000 Yuanshi. Lin Xuan was well aware, but he didn’t care. 

He had noticed how Lin Yanran’s gaze kept drifting toward the bracelet, even as they browsed the market. Lin Xuan rarely expressed affection, and though many people admired him, few truly got close. 

Besides his grandfather, Lin Yanran—who had followed him like a shadow since childhood—was the only person he felt genuinely connected to. Despite his aloof exterior, Lin Xuan cared deeply for her. 

Classic tsundere! 

“Here, Yanran.” Lin Xuan handed the violet bracelet to her. It was the first gift he had ever given to a girl, and he struggled to maintain his usual cold demeanor. 

Even though he tried to act indifferent, the blush spreading across his pale face betrayed his emotions. 

“Brother Lin Xuan really is warm beneath that icy exterior,” Yanran thought, her heart filled with joy. As she looked at the boy beside her, basking in the sunlight and trying to hide his shyness, she felt as though she had gained the entire world.