"Aaaahhh!" Shen Yue woke a day later. After the talking with Dian Mu, he focused on improving his cultivation once more. As well as his body. If Shen Xiu would have opened the door, she would have called him a filthy animal. "Cutting the body open and forcefully reconstructing tissue is so tiresome. But at least I have an accurate location of my "Meridians" as well as the change in my "Metal Seed" technique."
Cleaning up the room quickly, Shen Yue did not get dressed just yet. He went around the room checking over the change in herbs and the Runes under them. The ability to enhance them with spirit energy improved as well as the livelihood of the plants.
*Woosh!* With a wave, the herbs were planted inside his Internal Space. Spread out in the Olympic-sized field to grow and nurture undisturbed. The Flaming Snakes were told very explicitly to never consume any plant he planted inside.
"Time for a bath." After the clean-up was taken care of and the security was checked, Shen Yue moved to the baths. Allowing the cold water to wash over his body, he refined himself with a small bit of cultivation. "Cold water always hits the spot."
The goofy smile on his face did not last as his body was relaxing more and more under the cold water. His skin contracting just a bit as muscles underneath reacted to the stimuli. His organs, skeletal structure, and neuro network synched in harmony.
It was a very small thing but felt good as well as painful when the muscle spasmed a little. Not to far down from the bathroom door, Shen Xiu walked pass after finishing with the various guests. Seeing as the door to Shen Yue's room was left open she peaked n not seeing him.
"So he left his room but he didnt leave did he?" Shen Xiu pursed her lips in wonder. The news was to exciting to let pass. "Wonder what he will say when he finds out I made a deal that benefits us greatly?"
As she started moving around, Shen Yue felt a chill run down his spine. Not from the cold water but intuition letting him know he was about to be bogged down by something.
Spreading her senses out, Shen Xiu navigated the defense runes in the compound easily and found her target. Much to her surprise as she stopped dry. The little fox on her shoulder leaned forward to look at her.
"Mmmh?" The fox licked her face to no avail. Looking around it could not see what Shen Xiu see. "Grrr!" Giving a threatening growl as the demon beast believe its mistress was attacked caused Shen Xiu to snap out of it.
"Oh!" Shen Xiu looked around embarrassed and dazed. "Glad no one saw that." The fox frowned at her. "Not you silly, I meant someone who would mess with me about what just happened." Giving a small pat to the beast she continued on her to Shen Yue. Mind a slight mess. 'Since when did he become so.. alluring? As if he was the very fire of life itself?'
When Shen Xiu used her senses to track down Shen Xiu, she saw him completely. The young man in the water had a glowing fire inside him that was both dreadful and comforting. For a moment she just wanted to stare at him in silence. Forgetting everything that he was besides that.
.
They want what!?"
.
After discussions through a wall, Shen Yue finally got out of the tub and moved to where everything was stored away. The supplies were enormous and defintely would help with things. The problem was what needed to be done first.
"That is a lot of pills and elixer requests..." Shen Yue looked over the lists with a frown. There was no way he would be able to go and do different matters with this list needing to be done. "Why did you agree to all this?!" He starred at the woman with a frown.
"Because Alchemy will make the Family money and it is better to have you here making stuff than out there getting into trouble!" Shen Xiu responded back angry. "I do not want you getting yourself killed dammit! You know the Dark Guild is in the city and yet you are taking risks! Let alone the Sacred Family might try something!"
"I agree with mistress Xiu," Dian Rei and Dian Mu said togethor. ".. to many risk in what you have been doing!"
"It is my risks to make." Shen Yue understood the concerns but it had to be done. If they had more people he could trust then sure he would move in bigger groups and have more plans in play by others. But that was not the case. "Finances are coming in steadily. A big payout will come after the ruin expedition as well. Right now, I need you all to focus on your profession and managing the family."
"We need to hire guards!" Shen Xiu was worried someone would try to sneak into the compound one day when they were out. Or worse, while they were inside the place to try to attack. "The protection runes are not enough to pinned things on!"
"That is why the demon beasts will remain here to help safeguard the place." Letting out the Flaming Snake and its group caused the others to pause. They knew the main one but not the others. They also didn't know it was so strong. "I have arranged for others to watch the place over while I am gone. It is no secret by now that I will be leaving on an expedition by those who want to do me harm."
"I still say someone should go with you even more now." Shen Xiu looked away upset. She didn't like this one bit. " I know we should wait but our enemies will not. Let alone your future plans that won't start until after the Barren Lands to the west is taken over by us, the west area of Glory City is not control by us."
"That will take time. You have to remember that everyone here for the most part thinks the Legend Rank is the highest. Yet you yourself can fight against a member of that rank for a bit. They have indoctrinated themselves into that belief which hinders them. We do not have the problem. We also have to change ourselves and those around us. By standing out attention is drawn to us but it will make it easier later." It worked in Star Martial God Technique and from the way the world viewed things here, the people had the safe belief. Now the Draconic Ruin Realm and other places may think differently but they had th information to back that up. "I tell you what, if you are that worried then hire a few guards. But they are not allowed in the inner areas. Only for the outside protection near the walls and the gate."
"Deal!" Shen Xiu knew just who to hire. She still had connections and a few made it clear they wanted to do business with her when she went shopping not to long ago. "So you and Dian Rei are going to make the pills and elixirs correct? And you will meet with those people later?"
"Sure." Shen Yue agreed since after all she had her points and it would make matters easier when he came back from the expedition if mentally those who remained behind were in a good place. "Who am I meeting with by the way?"
Shen Xiu had a shit-eating grin while looking at him. The fox mimicking her as well. They both knew he would enjoy the surprise.
.
The guests-
.
Shen Yue went to meet up with those as he agreed. His face was a bit awkward considering it was not who he expected but also one he was happy to be there.
Long Yu of the Proud Cloud Family. He was accompanied by a few members of the Chu Family with Chu Yuan mostly there for the one female there. Huyan Lanruo of the Hunyan Family. And Ye Hong of the Snow Wind Family which he thought odd considering the two had not really spoken with him as Shen Yue but as Liang Yu only.
"Greetings Alchemist Shen Yue." Ye Hong said respectively. Not only did he respect Shen Yue because of what he did by breaking free of his family and becoming an Alchemist at such a young age, listening to Shen Xiu talk about him highlights a few things for him. "You are looking well today and very fit!"
"Greetings as well Ye Hong. Glad your cultivation is progressing nicely. I am sure your teacher is pleased. Did those pills help the Snow Wind Family at all?" As he waited for the answer, Shen Yue gave a simple greeting to the others. Most of them look uninterested so he didn't waste time. 'Most likely here to placate their elders or Shen Xiu's contacts, but no matter.'
"Yes, they did. I am sure the next batch will be even better." Ye Hong was conscious of the fact that Shen Yue's eyes looked a little like that of Liang Yu. But not the glowing electric blue-white. 'Is he possibly learning from him as well? That would explain the way he left abruptly from the Sacred Family more. If he uses lighting as well then that would confirm it.'
"Ehem!" Chu Yuan cleared his throat loudly. A few other patrons in the place looked over annoyed. "We are not here for you two to discuss things! What do you have to offer?1 I was told you wanted to collaborate on some things in the future. Finally regretting leaving the Sacred Family?"
His face was smug as he talked. Not only was he not the center of attention but Shen Fei was a good friend of his. Knocking Shen Yue down some would only make things better between him and Shen Fei.
The others wanted to know the same but held small decorum at least. Well, Long Yu only had eyes on Huyan Lanruo and she was only slightly interested in what the response would be.
"I have nothing for a fool like you. You and your people can go." Shen Yue shoed them away. No way would he put up with this nonsense unless he had to. And he defintely didn't have to. "I think there was a big mistake on my aunt's part. I will make sure she apologies to those who sent you."
"You little punk!" Chu Yuan was not very bright. He stomped on the table making an even bigger scene. More patrons looked on as well as some folks on the upper level. "Think you can just dismiss me so easily huh!"
"Oh boy." Shen Yue raised his finder and focused some spirit energy into it. "Poke." It was the first technique he himself learned in Star Martial God Technique after all.
*Fwish!* A condensed beam of fire shot out and burned a hole right through Chu Yuan. His clothes went up in a blue-white flame in an instant. The energy that left from the exit wound looped around back to Shen Yue's finger as he shook it in disapproval.
"Ahhhhhh!" Chu Yuan screamed in agony. The attack was mostly painful but not life-threatening. "I want him beaten to a pulp!" He ordered out. But that was not going to happen.
*Doom!* Overwhelming spiritual pressure encompassed the whole inn. That upstairs thought it was an expert passing through but could not detect anything. Outside a few members of the guards that pursued the Shen Yue when he took off from the ambush against Ye Hong reacted.
"I promise anyone trying to beat me up... will be killed and no body will remain." Shen Yue said with an evil smile. After all, if he provokes a few to attack him, then bodies would be available to be refined, And that information on the families they belong to would be his. "After all I didn't start the fight."
"Settle down youngsters!" A voice came from upstairs. It was the manager of the place. The middle-aged man came down to smooth the situation over. Pulling a pill from his sleeve, he fed it to the young fool of the Chu Family. After all, if they died in his inn, he would have to deal with the Chu Family. "Since you haven't ordered anything yet, I think you leave." It was better to offend Shen Yue instead since he was not backed by the Sacred Family anymore.
"Ok." Shen Yue stood up with a shrug. Reaching into his ring, he pulled out small gifts. "To each of you, since we were not really able to discuss anything. It was a protection Inscription by the looks of it. Made with runes underneath. "This will help you against a Black Gold Martial artist attack once, just apply anywhere on your body."
"Thank you." Ye Hong gave a salute of respect before turning to the manager. "Since my friend is not welcomed here, I will not remain either." The others stood back confused with how fast things happened. 'I rather not cause trouble with the Dark Moon Family. Especially with those pills we requested.'
As Ye Hong and the few Snow Wind Family left, upstairs was seeing some trouble. In a room was Shen Fei who was meeting in secret with his spy from the Alchemy association that remained. Angered at the pills the Alchemy Association received and the plans they had to get closer with the Dark Moon Family infuriated him. What was worst, was that the Winged Dragon Family still continued to ignore them.
"I will not miss this chance to show my dear brother a lesson!" Shen Fei stared outside with venom. His plan was to go and mess with Shen Yue but seeing Xiao Ninger walking down the street with some bumpkin caused his blood pressure to skyrocket. "That little bitch!"