I established the Eternal Immortal Clan by taming beasts.

Meanwhile, in Burning Bone City, at the Myriad Treasures Pavilion.

The aroma of tea wafted from the private rooms on the third floor.

A carved wooden window was half-open, through which one could see the bustling crowds on the main street below.

The sounds of hawking, bargaining, and the low growls of spirit beasts mingled together, forming a noisy torrent that poured in through the window, only to be somewhat diluted by the sandalwood scent in the private room.

A middle-aged man in a brocade robe stood with his hands behind his back by the window. He had a square face and a dignified air about him, as if he had been in a high position for a long time.

He is the current head of the Cheng family, Cheng Wanjun, with a cultivation level of the early Golden Core stage.

"Master, there's some activity from the Lin family." Behind him, an elderly man in gray bowed and reported, his voice hoarse but each word clear.

"Speak." Cheng Wanjun did not turn around; his gaze remained fixed on the window.

"The Lin family's Qingmu Chamber of Commerce has already started renovating its storefront, hiring more than a dozen workers to work day and night. The person in charge is named Lin Xuandong, who has a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation level. It is said that he has been running the chamber of commerce in Chuyang City for many years and his methods are quite good."

"Lin Xuandong..." Cheng Wanjun repeated the name, a slight smirk playing on his lips, tinged with disdain: "Coming from a small place like Chuyang City, what kind of tricks could he possibly have?"

"The head of the family should not be underestimated."

The gray-robed elder spoke cautiously: "The Lin family, this newly established Golden Core family, has developed extremely rapidly in recent years. Their spirit beast breeding technology is among the best in the entire Burning Bone Pass region."

Their Azure-Eyed Eagles and Wind-Treading Spirit Steeds are of far superior quality to their counterparts, and some independent cultivators have already made special trips to Chuyang City to purchase them.

"If they bring these spirit beasts to Burning Bone City... it won't directly affect us, but for the He family, I'm afraid it will be..."

"Let the He family worry about their own affairs." Cheng Wanjun waved his hand, turned around, and looked at the old man in gray.

"Our business deals in magical artifacts. Whether it's the Lin family's spirit beasts or elixirs, they don't directly conflict with ours, and besides..."

He smiled slightly: "We mainly do business with the garrison of Burning Bone Pass. Even if their merchant guild grows stronger, it's not something we need to worry about."

"But... if the Lin family gains a foothold in Burning Bone City, they will inevitably expand in the future." The gray-robed old man raised his head, a trace of worry flashing in his cloudy old eyes.

"The maintenance of the garrison's magical artifacts and spirit armor is a lucrative business, and they might very well be tempted by it."

Cheng Wanjun remained silent for a moment.

"Keep an eye on them, but don't make any rash moves. Also, don't miss any suspicious activity. If the Lin family intends to contact the garrison at Burning Bone Pass, inform me immediately."

"Yes." The old man in gray bowed and retreated, his footsteps so light they made almost no sound.

Cheng Wanjun turned around again, his gaze falling once more on the window.

On the main street, the sound of hammering and clanging could be heard from half a street away from the shop that was under renovation.

Several workers were unloading goods at the entrance, carrying timber in and out, working busily.

A young monk stood at the shop entrance, holding blueprints in his hand, directing the workers. He had a handsome profile and a shrewd look in his eyes.

Is that the person?

Cheng Wanjun stared at the figure, tapped his fingers lightly on the window frame twice, his gaze slightly narrowed, lost in thought.

……

Burning Bone City, Spirit Beast Workshop.

The He family's Spirit Beast Shop occupies three storefronts on the east side of West Street, forming a row of impressive buildings.

The courtyard gate was spacious enough to allow two spirit beast carriages to enter and exit side by side.

There were more than a dozen spirit beast carriages parked in the courtyard, varying in size and style, from simple to magnificent.

Some of the mythical beasts on the cart were dozing, some were chewing fodder, and some were pawing restlessly, emitting low growls.

Cultivators, especially high-ranking cultivators, often make a grand display when they travel.

The hearse used for transportation was the most prestigious vehicle, and naturally, it was very elaborate.

The car body must be crafted from the finest wood and exquisitely carved.

The carriage curtains must be woven from fine silkworm silk and embroidered with auspicious clouds and mythical beasts;

The mythical beasts pulling the cart must be of exceptional quality, with glossy fur, a well-proportioned body, and a majestic presence when they run.

Therefore, besides focusing on the transportation of supplies to the southern camp of Fen Gu Guan, the He family's second main business was the rental of luxury hearses.

At this moment, He Zhenshan, the manager of He Family Spirit Beast Shop, was sitting in his study in the backyard, with a newly delivered intelligence report spread out in front of him.

He was tall and burly, with a rugged face, piercing eyes, and a short beard. He exuded a fierce and valiant aura.

"The Lin family is going to open a trading company in Burning Bone City?" He put down the intelligence report, looked at the steward beside him, and said in a deep voice with a hint of disdain, "What good stuff could someone from a backwater like Chuyang City possibly have? Starting a trading company? It's laughable!"

"Manager, the spirit beasts bred by the Lin family are indeed of excellent quality," the steward said cautiously, afraid of offending the hot-tempered manager.

"Especially their Windrider Spirit Steeds, which are more than 30% faster than our land-based spirit beasts, and have greater endurance. If they start selling them in Burning Bone City, it will be a huge blow to our spirit beast transportation business..."

"What's there to be afraid of?" He Zhenshan waved his hand, interrupting the steward, his tiger-like eyes glaring. "Let them sell theirs, we'll do ours. No matter how good their spirit beasts are, how many can they sell? How many rogue cultivators can afford them? They won't shake our transportation business at all!"

"But I'm afraid..." The butler opened his mouth, then hesitated, "I'm afraid they'll also get involved in the spirit beast transportation business. Those rogue cultivator demon-hunting teams have very high speed requirements. If the Lin family can provide spirit beasts that are faster than ours, they might very well..."

"Do you really think this job is something any family can get their hands on?" He Zhenshan sneered, his eyes filled with disdain, and tapped his finger heavily on the table.

"Spirit beast transportation relies not only on the spirit beasts themselves, but also on routes, connections, and experience. How many years has the He family been in this business? They're dreaming if they want to get involved!"

The butler was rendered speechless by his series of questions and lowered his head, not daring to say anything more.

"However, let's still report this matter." He Zhenshan waved his hand, his tone softening. "Let the family head and the others make their own decisions. We just need to focus on our work."

"Yes." The butler acknowledged the order and withdrew, his steps hurried.

He Zhenshan looked out the window, his gaze falling on the spirit beast carriages in the courtyard. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table twice, then looked away and picked up the account book he hadn't finished reading.

He doesn't care about this matter; if there are any problems, the higher-ups will be responsible. He's just in charge of the Spirit Beast Workshop, and he only needs to do his job.

……

Burning Bone City, Liu Family Pharmacy.

Unlike the grandeur of Wanbaoge and the magnificence of Lingshoufang, Liu Family Pharmacy is small, with only one storefront, sandwiched between two large shops, making it seem somewhat cramped.

However, the number of cultivators who come to buy medicine is endless, and the queue at the door never stops from morning to night.

Reputation isn't built on appearances, but on the accumulation of patients and effective medicines over time.

The shopkeeper, Liu Zhengming, was sitting in the small study in the backyard of the pharmacy, holding a scroll of prescriptions in his hands, pondering them carefully.

He had a gaunt face, gray hair and beard, and a faint scent of medicinal herbs emanated from him—the kind of scent that only someone who deals with medicinal herbs year-round would possess.

"Manager, what do you think about the Lin family's matter?" The apprentice beside me asked in a low voice, still holding a stack of newly delivered spiritual herbs in his hands, not daring to put them down.

Liu Zhengming put down the prescription in his hand, raised his head, and a look of doubt flashed in his cloudy old eyes.

"The Lin family...which Lin family?"

"It's that newly established Golden Core family in Chuyang City," the apprentice answered cautiously, afraid of displeasing the shopkeeper.

"Their Green Wood Merchant Guild is planning to open a branch in Burning Bone City, mainly dealing in spirit beasts, spirit beast meat, and pills. Their pill business overlaps with ours, so they might steal our business."

Liu Zhengming, somewhat curious, put down the pills and asked, "What's the quality of their pills?"

"Well... I'm not quite sure either."

The apprentice scratched his head: "I've heard they have a good reputation in Chuyang City. Should I make a trip there to see for myself?"

Liu Mingyuan shook his head, turning his gaze from the window back to the apprentice's face.

"There's no need to worry too much. Our pharmacy has no shortage of business and a large number of regular customers. No matter how good the Lin family's pills are, they can't steal all our customers overnight. Reputation isn't something that can be built in a day or two."

He paused, then added, "As for whether the Lin family will steal the garrison's orders, that's for the family to consider. We only need to manage the pharmacy; we don't need to worry about those things."

"Yes!" The apprentice nodded, and the herbalist withdrew.