Yan Shuntao then invited Zhao Xuanqi and his companion into the house, instructing the butler to brew so fine tea. Throughout this, Ning Dao’an stayed by Yan Shuntao’s side, always maintaining a distance of five steps.
"Mr. Yan, I haven’t introduced him yet. This is Zhao Xuanqi. He’s from the south," Yang Zhongliang said to Yan Shuntao.
"Mr. Zhao, to be so young and yet possess such extraordinary strength... It is truly admirable," Yan Shuntao said, his gaze turning to Zhao Xuanqi with a note of admiration.
"You flatter , Mr. Yan. I hope to be in your good graces while I’m in Jinn," Zhao Xuanqi said to Yan Shuntao.
"Not at all, you’re too kind. Having an expert like Mr. Zhao join us would be a great fortune for the Zhen Nan Chamber of Comrce. Mr. Zhao, I know Martial Arts Experts tend to be candid and straightforward, so I won’t beat around the bush."
"The current chaos in the Northern Territory has thrown Jinn into turmoil. All sorts of people have flooded the city—not just forces from the major Warlords, but also powers from the Foreigner’s Concession and new factions rising from the anarchy. Everyone is vying for a bigger piece of Jinn. In the last few months alone, I’ve been attacked no fewer than five tis. Frankly, the Zhen Nan Chamber of Comrce is only considered mid-tier in Jinn right now, and our business has suffered greatly in this chaotic environnt."
"All the directors of the chamber are currently trying to recruit Martial Arts Experts to cope with this ss, and each of them has their own candidate. I had originally contacted an old acquaintance and asked Dao’an to co down from the mountains to lend a hand. Unfortunately, he’s unwilling to compete in the arena, and I can’t force him. Now, with your tily arrival, Mr. Zhao, I intend to recomnd you to the chamber. If you can secure the chamber’s chief position, I believe the Zhen Nan Chamber of Comrce has the resources to et most of your demands," Yan Shuntao said, getting straight to the point with Zhao Xuanqi.
"I don’t need anything else. All I require are sufficient dicinal Materials and the relevant Rare Beast Materials. Can you provide them?" Zhao Xuanqi stated his terms just as directly.
"Haha, Mr. Zhao, you don’t need to worry about that. Here in the Divine Land, the trade of Rare Beast Materials is indeed strictly controlled. But we have many channels outside the country. Ordinary Rare Beast Materials are no problem at all. Specific, rare ones might take so effort, but if the chamber’s business prospers, I’m confident we can acquire even those," Yan Shuntao said to Zhao Xuanqi with a smile.
"Is that so?"
Zhao Xuanqi nodded slightly. ’In terms of both influence and opportunity, the Zhen Nan Chamber of Comrce is on a completely different level than the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall. Their resources and connections are simply beyond compare.’
’Though it couldn’t compare to the major Warlord factions, for the current Zhao Xuanqi, it was more than enough.’
’The National Salvation Association really found a good place for .’
"What do I need to do?" Zhao Xuanqi asked.
’There’s no such thing as a free lunch.’ He knew that with Jinn teeming with all sorts of powerful individuals and Martial Arts Experts, there would be no shortage of masters looking to join a backer like the Zhen Nan Chamber of Comrce. Yan Shuntao’s own companion, Ning Dao’an, had the power of Five Qi Tongxuan; the other directors’ candidates were bound to be just as strong, if not stronger.
’This so-called chief position wouldn’t be easy to take.’
"I may have so influence in the chamber, but Jinn has its own rules. Reputation and rumors an nothing here—only real, demonstrable strength and a solid combat record. If I’m to recomnd you, sir, you’ll need to display the kind of power that will silence all doubters," Yan Shuntao said.
"Oh? Please, Mr. Yan, be specific," Zhao Xuanqi said, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"That’s right, you just arrived from the south, so there are things you wouldn’t know. The Jinn Martial Arts Arena, established by the Martial Arts Association, is famous throughout the north. If you want to make a na for yourself in Jinn, the arena is the fastest way. The people here put the most stock in the records and reputation earned there. The Martial Arts Arena is divided into four classes—A, B, C, and D—to rank Martial Artists by strength. D Class is the lowest, and A is the highest. If you can fight your way into the A-Class arena within a month and a half, you’ll have all the prestige you need," Yan Shuntao said.
"No problem. I’ll co back to visit you, sir, once I’ve reached the A-Class arena," Zhao Xuanqi said, his expression calm.
"I will arrange a Boxer for you, sir. If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to ask," Yan Shuntao said with a smile.
"Actually, there is one thing. I need so common Rare Beast Materials and dicinal Materials. There’s no need for you to cover the cost, Mr. Yan; I have so modest savings. I’d just like to make use of your supply channels," Zhao Xuanqi said.
After killing Hou Rong and temporarily settling his score with the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall, his control over Zhao Qi’s body had once again improved. He had finally reached the minimum standard to practice the Inner Cultivation thod of the Hundred Beasts Fist. Thus, his first order of business upon arriving in Jinn—besides eting with Mr. Yan of the Zhen Nan Chamber of Comrce—was to secure a channel for obtaining the necessary Rare Beast Materials to continue improving his strength.
"That won’t be a problem. In fact, there’s no need for you to pay, Mr. Zhao. For the next month and a half, I’ll provide all the Rare Beast Materials, dicinal Materials, and Wound dicine you require. Consider it a welcoming gift," Yan Shuntao said to Zhao Xuanqi with a magnanimous wave of his hand.
"Mr. Yan, I cannot accept a reward I haven’t earned. It won’t be too late to discuss your welcoming gift after I reach the A-Class arena," Zhao Xuanqi said coolly. He had no intention of taking advantage of the offer, especially since the amount of Rare Beast Materials he required was no small sum. As his body grew stronger, his phenonally powerful digestive system also improved. Having reached the pinnacle of Cross-Training, his digestive capacity was now five to eight tis that of a Martial Artist at the sa level.
He didn’t want to beco the subject of gossip or be indebted to soone.
’A debt of gratitude is the hardest to repay. The one he owed the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall was enough; it was best to maintain a purely cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with the Zhen Nan Chamber of Comrce.’
"Mr. Zhao, you truly are a man of exceptional spirit and principle."
Yan Shuntao laughed heartily and didn’t press the issue. The group made small talk for a while longer, with the conversation primarily between Yang Zhongliang and Yan Shuntao. After about half an hour, Yang Zhongliang took the initiative to rise, finish his tea, and bid them farewell, leaving with Zhao Xuanqi.
Yan Shuntao rose to see them out. Once he reached the courtyard gate and their figures had disappeared from sight, the smile on his face faded. Returning to the main hall, he turned to Ning Dao’an, who had remained by his side like a shadow, and asked, "Dao’an, what is your true assessnt of his strength? The Jinn Martial Arts Arena is crawling with experts right now. Can he really reach the A-Class arena in a month and a half? Do you think he can compete against the other directors’ candidates?"
"You are not a Martial Artist, so your Spiritual Sense is undeveloped. You can’t feel it, but I can see it clearly."
"His presence... it’s like an Exotic Beast lurking in an abyss, or a fierce tiger perched on a mountaintop. It’s filled with Overbearing Fury, majesty, and aloof pride, yet it’s also cruel, grim, and blood-soaked. Firmness and yielding are balanced within him, a harmony of Yin and Yang. The strength of his Intent is like storm clouds gathering overhead, and he wasn’t even revealing his full power."
"My Sword Nurturing Technique is known as the ’Five-Step Yama.’ There’s a saying: ’When the Yama Monarch decrees your death at the third watch, who would dare let you live to the fifth?’ Within five steps of , even if soone’s cultivation realm is higher than mine, I am confident I can defeat them. But with this man... I can sense his realm is far below my own, yet I have no confidence I could win. That should tell you how terrifying he is."
"He’ll reach the A-Class arena, no question. As for whether he can contend with the other directors’ chosen fighters... that I can’t say. From what I know, those other candidates are no simple characters. We’ll only know for sure once they fight," Ning Dao’an said coolly, then fell silent once more.
Hearing Ning Dao’an’s words, Yan Shuntao’s eyes narrowed slightly.
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