Several weeks passed after Fang Yuan's battle with Ju Kai Bei.
Fang Ming remained in seclusion.
No visitors were received. No messages were answered unless necessary. His courtyard stayed quiet, and the servants outside only knew that Young Master Fang Ming was cultivating.
Then one morning, the stone chamber opened.
Fang Ming walked out.
His expression was calm. His clothes were clean. Nothing about him looked different.
But inside his aperture, his primeval essence had changed.
Rank five initial stage.
Fang Ming did not release his aura. He did not test his Gu openly. He did not inform Shang Xin Ci, Shang Yan Fei, Fang Yuan, or anyone else.
There was no need.
A Gu Master's cultivation was not written on his face. As long as he did not expose his aura or use methods beyond Rank four in front of others, most people would still treat him as Rank four.
That was good.
Rank five was useful.
A hidden Rank five was even more useful.
Soon after leaving seclusion, Fang Ming received news from Shang Xin Ci.
The young master test had begun.
Shang clan's test was simple on the surface.
Trade.
Every competing child received one hundred thousand primeval stones. After three months, whoever earned the most had the greatest chance of becoming young master.
But the test was not only about money.
Trading tested judgment, planning, connections, courage, reputation, adaptability, and the ability to use people.
Shang Xin Ci had no foundation in Shang clan. Her rivals had factions, servants, old connections, and secret support. Shang Yi Fan especially had strong backing and would not be easy to defeat.
When Fang Ming arrived at Nan Qiu Garden, Shang Xin Ci was waiting for him.
She looked more composed than before. The softness in her eyes was still there, but the journey and the past months in Shang clan city had changed her.
She was no longer only a kind merchant girl from Zhang clan.
She was beginning to stand inside Shang clan's storm.
"Young Master Fang Ming," she said softly.
Fang Ming smiled. "You look troubled."
Shang Xin Ci lowered her head slightly. "The young master test has begun. Brother Wei explained the rules to me. I have thought of a business idea, but I am not sure whether it is enough."
"Tell me."
She nodded.
"Battle-stage information."
Fang Ming's eyes moved slightly.
Shang Xin Ci continued, "There are many battles every day. Many people gamble, many people watch, and many people want to know who is more likely to win. We can collect information on fighters, their Gu, past results, strengths, weaknesses, and sell predictions before battles. After battles, we can sell analysis as well."
Her voice became steadier as she spoke.
"If we hire people with reputation to give opinions, the business can grow faster. It does not require expensive goods, only information and organization."
Fang Ming listened quietly.
The idea was good.
Very good.
That was also the problem.
After she finished, Fang Ming said, "Your idea can earn money."
Shang Xin Ci's eyes lit up slightly.
"But it has problems," Fang Ming continued.
She became serious. "Please tell me."
"First, it is easy to copy. Once others see the profit, they can make their own version. Second, battle-stage information needs credibility. Without trusted names, people will not pay much. Third, once the business grows, people tied to the battle zone may suppress you."
Shang Xin Ci nodded slowly.
Fang Ming continued, "Fourth, you have no foundation. Your rivals have people, shops, channels, and informants. If they cannot defeat your idea, they can attack your supply of information."
Xiao Die, standing at the side, frowned. "Then is this idea useless?"
"No," Fang Ming said. "It is useful. But a good idea that is easy to see will not stay yours for long."
Shang Xin Ci thought for a while. "Then what should I do?"
"Use people others cannot easily copy."
"People?"
"Yes." Fang Ming looked at her. "Invite Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing."
Xiao Die's expression changed. "Them?"
Shang Xin Ci was also startled.
Fang Ming said plainly, "You need advisors who understand the battle stage, demonic Gu Masters, dirty goods, and dangerous people. Fang Yuan is ruthless and experienced. Bai Ning Bing is cold and sharp. They are not safe people, but they are useful people."
Xiao Die immediately said, "But Uncle Zhang still says they are dangerous!"
"He is right," Fang Ming replied.
Xiao Die froze.
Fang Ming looked at Shang Xin Ci. "The question is not whether they are dangerous. The question is whether you can use dangerous people without being eaten by them."
Shang Xin Ci was silent.
Fang Ming continued, "Offer them something they want."
"What do they want?"
"A clean channel."
Shang Xin Ci understood slightly, but not fully.
Fang Ming explained, "They are demonic Gu Masters. They have loot, Gu, recipes, and inheritance gains that are not easy to sell openly. Normal shops will suppress the price or ask questions. If you become young master, you can give them a channel to sell such things at fair prices, with fewer questions."
Xiao Die's eyes widened. "Is that not helping bad people?"
Fang Ming glanced at her. "This is Shang clan city. Half the city profits from people with unclear pasts. The difference is whether you control the transaction or let others control it."
Shang Xin Ci lowered her eyes.
After a moment, she said, "If they agree, it will help us?"
"It will help," Fang Ming said. "But do not trust them blindly. Make the terms clear. Benefits first, friendship second."
Shang Xin Ci looked at him.
"Will you come with me?"
"I suggested it. Of course I will."
That afternoon, Shang Xin Ci and Fang Ming met Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing.
The meeting place was quiet. Zhang Zhu did not attend, but he knew about it. His face had been ugly when Shang Xin Ci told him, but he did not stop her.
Fang Yuan arrived with a faint smile.
Bai Ning Bing sat down with cold eyes.
"Lady Shang invited us. There must be something important," Fang Yuan said.
Shang Xin Ci looked at him and spoke directly.
"I want to compete for the young master position."
Fang Yuan nodded. "I heard."
"I want to invite you and Bai Ning Bing to help me."
Bai Ning Bing raised an eyebrow.
Fang Yuan's smile did not change. "Help in what way?"
"As advisors," Shang Xin Ci said. "Not only for the battle-stage information business. I lack experience in Shang clan city, and I do not understand many hidden rules here. I need people who can judge risk, recognize traps, and give advice on different businesses."
Fang Yuan looked at Fang Ming.
Fang Ming sat beside Shang Xin Ci, calm and silent.
After a breath, Fang Yuan said, "Advice has a price."
Shang Xin Ci nodded. "I know."
Fang Ming spoke then.
"If Lady Shang wins and becomes young master, she can provide you a channel to sell loot, Gu, recipes, and inheritance gains at fair prices. Fewer questions. Better protection. Cleaner transactions."
Bai Ning Bing's gaze moved.
Fang Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
This was useful.
Very useful.
Demonic Gu Masters could seize opportunities, but converting gains into resources was always troublesome. Shops underpaid, clans investigated, and stolen or inherited goods often attracted trouble.
A young master-backed channel would solve many problems.
Fang Yuan smiled.
"Fewer questions?"
"Fewer," Fang Ming said. "Not none. Shang clan is not blind. But compared to ordinary shops, the difference will be large."
"And fair prices?"
"As fair as business allows."
Bai Ning Bing gave a light sneer. "That means still taking profit."
"Of course," Fang Ming said. "This is business, not charity."
Fang Yuan laughed softly.
"Good. Honest enough."
Shang Xin Ci said, "I will not ask about things I should not ask. But I will not help you harm innocent people inside Shang clan city."
Fang Yuan looked at her for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"That is acceptable."
Bai Ning Bing leaned back. "I have no objection."
The terms were simple.
Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing would advise Shang Xin Ci during the young master competition.
This included battle-stage information, fighter assessment, risky goods, business traps, demonic Gu Master habits, and anything else that could affect profit or danger.
If Shang Xin Ci won, she would provide them a better trade channel.
No false righteousness.
No empty gratitude.
Benefits were clear.
After the agreement was made, Shang Xin Ci relaxed slightly.
Fang Yuan looked at Fang Ming. "Brother Fang Ming has been refining Gu recently?"
"Yes."
"Any gains?"
Fang Ming smiled faintly. "I am a genius."
Fang Yuan looked at him for a breath, then laughed.
Bai Ning Bing also looked at Fang Ming, but said nothing.
After Fang Yuan and Bai Ning Bing left, Shang Xin Ci turned to Fang Ming.
"Do you think I can win?"
"Xin Ci, you are very smart," Fang Ming said. "I believe you can win."
He added, "Now you have a business idea, capable people, and benefits they care about. That is already a good start."
Shang Xin Ci nodded slowly.
Fang Ming looked toward the direction Fang Yuan had left.
Fang Yuan would definitely help.
These terms were a dream for any demonic Gu Master. Loot, Gu, recipes, inheritance gains — all of these were hard to sell cleanly. With Shang Xin Ci's future channel, Fang Yuan could turn hidden gains into primeval stones and resources with far less trouble.
This was even more valuable to Fang Yuan.
He had future knowledge. He knew about inheritances across Southern Border. To him, this agreement did not look like a short-term benefit. It looked like a long-term channel he could use again and again.
But Fang Ming knew the truth.
This agreement would most likely not help Fang Yuan for long.
In the future, Fang Yuan would refine Fixed Immortal Travel. After that, he would be forced to leave Southern Border, chased by forces far above the mortal level. At that point, Shang Xin Ci's trade channel would become almost useless to him.
But Fang Yuan did not know that yet.
Right now, he believed this was a valuable opportunity.
And as long as Fang Yuan saw value, he would work hard for it.