I established the Eternal Immortal Clan by taming beasts.

Lin Che received Lin Xuandong's message that very night.

Holding the jade slip sent back from Burning Bone City in his hand, he immersed his divine sense into it and read Lin Xuandong's report word by word.

Lu Yunzhou's condition was a spiritual herb seed.

He sent a message to Zhi Heifa: "Investigate the spiritual medicine that Lu Yunzhou needs, and why he is so obsessed with it."

In less than half an hour, Zhihei's reply arrived.

"The medicinal herb is called 'Nine-Aperture Golden Lotus,' a high-grade third-rank herb, and is the core ingredient for refining the 'Nine-Aperture Rejuvenating Pill.'"

The Nine-Aperture Golden Elixir can be used to repair the damaged foundation of a Golden Core cultivator.

Lu Yunzhou had injured his meridians in a furnace explosion during alchemy in his early years, damaging his golden core and causing his cultivation to stagnate for many years. He sought this medicine to save himself.

Lin Che put down the jade slip and remained silent for a moment.

It turned out to be the case.

Is he an alchemist who was once successful but later fell into obscurity due to an accident?

With this layer of restraint, this person can be used with even more confidence.

For the Lin family, such a person is more trustworthy than those unattached rogue cultivators.

He would do his best to help the Lin family whenever he needed their help.

She sent Lin Xuandong a message: "Promise him that when the seeds of the Nine-Aperture Golden Lotus arrive, I will cultivate them myself."

……

The next morning, Lin Xuandong returned to Shattered Star Lake with Lu Yunzhou's seed and the signed contract.

"Father, I'm back!" Lin Xuandong walked into the backyard of the main house with a smile, his steps light and his brows showing the triumphant spirit of someone who had accomplished something.

Lin Che was already waiting there.

He sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, with a pot of fragrant tea on the stone table in front of him. The aroma of the tea wafted through the air, mingling with the morning mist.

Lin Xuandong sat down, presented the seeds and contract together, and casually mentioned:

"Father, Senior Lu said that if the Lin family can really help him cultivate the Nine-Aperture Golden Lotus, he is willing to sign a long-term support contract with the Lin family, thirty years or fifty years, it's all fine."

Lin Che took the seeds.

It was a pale golden lotus seed the size of a fingernail, with fine lines on its surface, like ancient runes, and faintly glowing with spiritual light.

Holding it in your palm, you can feel a warm life force, like a tiny heart beating.

He put the seeds into a specially prepared jade box, then took out a green jade bottle and slowly poured the spiritual spring water from the bottle into the jade box, submerging the seeds.

The emerald green spring water rippled gently in the jade box, creating fine, bubbly bubbles that held the pale golden lotus seed atop the surface.

"Very good." He nodded, his gaze falling on his son's face. "What about Tie Wushuang?"

"We've arranged to meet at his workshop on West Street in Burning Bone City the day after tomorrow," Lin Xuandong replied.

Then his tone became more deliberate: "However, Tie Wushuang doesn't value spirit stones or spirit beasts much. According to the intelligence from Zhihei, he is fond of wine, values ​​loyalty, and likes making friends. If it's just about business, he might not agree."

Lin Che pondered for a moment, then tapped his fingers lightly twice on the stone table.

"I will go in person the day after tomorrow."

……

Two days later, in the western district of Burning Bone City.

Tie Wushuang's workshop is located at the end of the alley.

From the outside, it was just a drab, dark stone house with mottled walls and rusty iron gate, completely unremarkable and unlike the grand shops in the city.

If it weren't for the crooked wooden sign that read "Blacksmith Shop" hanging on the door, anyone would think it was just an abandoned warehouse.

But once you push open that heavy iron door, you'll find a completely different world inside.

The courtyard was about half an acre in size and was filled with all sorts of metal spirit materials.

The rare minerals, including fine iron, black copper, dark cloud steel, and red fire gold, gleamed in the sunlight with various colors, some as black as ink, some as red as blood, and some as white as the moon.

Several refining furnaces stood against the wall, their fires blazing, the heat radiating outwards and distorting the air slightly. One could faintly see the heat waves rising above the furnace openings.

Several apprentices were busy, some were working the bellows, the whooshing sound of the wind accompanied by the flickering of the furnace fire;

Some were hammering red-hot iron blocks, the clanging sounds were incessant, sparks flew everywhere, and the iron quickly dimmed after hitting the ground.

Tie Wushuang was standing in front of the largest refining furnace.

Bare-chested, revealing his bronze skin and bulging muscles, sweat streamed down his back, glistening in the firelight as if coated with oil.

He was holding a large hammer, pounding a red-hot iron ingot repeatedly. Each strike sent sparks flying and produced a dull thud that made the ground tremble slightly.

The iron ingot gradually took shape under his hammer, and one could vaguely see the outline of a long sword.

Hearing footsteps, he didn't even look up, his voice booming like a bell, echoing through the courtyard: "Who goes there? If you have something to say, say it. If not, don't waste my time!"

Lin Che walked into the courtyard with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the piles of metal materials before finally settling on Tie Wushuang.

"Lin Che, the head of the Lin family in Chuyang City."

His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached Tie Wushuang's ears. He did not deliberately release any pressure, but he had a calm and composed demeanor.

Iron-Handed Hammer paused for a moment.

She raised her head, her eyes, glowing red from the firelight, looked at Lin Che and sized him up.

He had seen many Golden Core cultivators, but the one before him was different. He was composed and unassuming, standing there like an ancient sword hidden in its sheath, seemingly gentle, yet not to be underestimated.

"The Lin family?" Tie Wushuang put down his sledgehammer, took a damp towel from his apprentice, wiped the sweat from his face, and draped the towel over his shoulder. His voice was still loud and clear: "The Lin family that runs a trading company in Burning Bone City?"

"That's right." Lin Che nodded, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.

Tie Wushuang walked to an old locust tree in the corner of the courtyard and picked up a jar of wine.

The wine jar was made of coarse pottery, with a red cloth sealing the mouth and mud still clinging to the body, as if it had just been taken out of a cellar.

He broke the mud seal, and a rich aroma of wine instantly wafted out, mingling with the mellow flavor of grains and the sweetness of spiritual fruits, spreading throughout the courtyard.

He tilted his head back and took a big gulp, the liquor dripping down the corner of his mouth without him wiping it away. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down, making gurgling sounds.

After drinking, he wiped his mouth and casually handed the wine jar to Lin Che.

"Want a bite?"

Lin Che took the wine jar, but did not drink it immediately. He first scanned it with his divine sense to confirm that it was correct, and then he also tilted his head back and took a big gulp.

Upon tasting the wine, a spicy sensation rushes straight to the throat, like a line of fire burning from the throat to the stomach. But after the initial spiciness subsides, a hint of sweetness lingers on the tongue, carrying the mellow aroma of spirit rice and the refreshing sweetness of spirit fruit.

What's even more wonderful is that the essence of the wine is firmly locked in, without any dissipation, and every sip is like drinking a concentrated essence of heaven and earth.

"Excellent wine!" Lin Che put down the wine jar, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. "It's spicy on the palate, yet not harsh; it's full of spiritual energy, with a mellow aftertaste. This spirit wine is truly a fine product!"

Seeing that he was drinking with great gusto, Tie Wushuang's eyes lit up, and a rare smile appeared on his rugged face.

"Great! I like you just the way you are!" He slapped his thigh, his voice carrying a hint of intimacy.

"Unlike some people who think I, Tie Wushuang, would poison their wine and wouldn't dare touch it! This is top-quality Drunken Flower Wine, aged for thirty years. I wouldn't give it to just anyone!"

He plopped down on the stone bench under the tree, patted the spot next to him, where a few withered leaves lay scattered, but he didn't seem to care.

"Sit down! What's wrong? Sit down and tell me slowly."

Lin Che didn't stand on ceremony and sat down opposite him, placing the wine jar on the stone table between them.

Instead of stating his purpose directly, he took out a food box from his storage bag.

The food box was designed by Lin Xuanqi himself, with four drawers, each one fitting perfectly.

Lin Che opened it layer by layer.

The first layer is made from the essence of the mother spirit pig ear.

Sliced ​​as thin as cicada wings and arranged neatly, each slice is soaked in a dark brown braising sauce, giving it a glossy sheen, and sprinkled with a few white sesame seeds and bright green scallions.

The second layer features a red-oiled jade rabbit head.

The rabbit head is split in half, soaked in red oil, and has a tantalizingly spicy aroma. The bone marrow is crystal clear and can be easily sucked out with a gentle poke of chopsticks.

The third layer is Yunmengling duck feet.

The duck feet are deboned, marinated in a secret sauce, and then air-dried. They are chewy, springy, and become more fragrant the more you chew them.

The fourth layer is Golden Spike Chicken Gizzard.

Cut the meat into decorative shapes, braise it until flavorful, then stir-fry it over high heat until crispy and tender, with a unique smoky aroma.

The rich aroma instantly filled the courtyard, mingling with the scent of wine, causing several apprentices who were working to swallow hard and steal glances in their direction.

Tie Wushuang's nose twitched, and his eyes immediately lit up, like two lamps that had been lit.

"This...this is..." He leaned closer, staring at the dishes of snacks to accompany the drinks, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

"Master Tie probably doesn't know, but my Lin family actually started out making snacks to go with drinks, right?" Lin Che smiled and handed over a pair of chopsticks. "Let's drink first, and we can talk about other things later."

Tie Wushuang took the chopsticks and, without any hesitation, picked up a piece of Earth Mother Spirit Pig Ear and put it in his mouth.

The thin, translucent pig ears made a subtle crunch between the teeth, and the aroma of soy sauce, meat, and sesame exploded in the mouth, perfectly complementing the lingering aftertaste of the Drunken Flower Wine. It was a match made in heaven.

His eyes widened, and he reached out with his chopsticks again, this time picking up the moon and jade rabbit head.

He broke open the rabbit's head, sucked out a mouthful of marrow, and the rich, spicy aroma and the smooth texture of the marrow blended on his tongue, making him let out a satisfied sigh.

"Okay! Okay!" he mumbled between chewing, his chopsticks never stopping.

"I truly never expected there to be such delicious snacks to accompany drinks! The spiritual meals I've had before are nothing compared to these!"

Lin Che also picked up his chopsticks and started drinking with him.

The two drank one cup after another, and soon the wine jar was empty.

Lin Che took out another jar and continued pouring.

They chatted about interesting things in Chuyang City, and about their own adventurous experiences in their youth...

Neither of them used their cultivation to dispel their drunkenness.

After a few jugs of spirit wine, Tie Wushuang's cheeks were flushed, his forehead was covered in a fine layer of sweat, and his eyes began to glaze over, showing signs of drunkenness.

But he became even more excited, speaking louder than before, gesturing wildly, and brandishing his chopsticks in the air, almost throwing the duck's feet away.

"Brother Lin!" He hiccuped and patted Lin Che's shoulder hard, as if a hammer had struck him.

"I consider you my friend! First of all, let's make it clear, you can't leave me without these snacks to go with your drinks! This is good stuff, really good stuff... How come I never discovered there were such perfect spiritual dishes to accompany drinks before! Compared to this, the stuff in those restaurants is just shoddy work!"

Lin Che smiled and nodded, then clinked his wine bowl against Lin Che's again.

"Don't worry, there will be plenty of snacks to go with the drinks. Our Lin family's Baiweizhai will also open a branch in Burning Bone City, specializing in snacks and spirit wine. Master Tie can come anytime he wants, and there will be plenty to go."

"Really? Really?" Tie Wushuang's eyes lit up, and his drunkenness seemed to dissipate a bit.

"Absolutely true."

"Good! Good! Good!"

Tie Wushuang said "good" three times and then took a big gulp of wine.

He didn't care that some wine spilled from the corner of his mouth; he wiped it away and said with boundless generosity, "Just tell me what's wrong! I'll definitely help if I can!"

Lin Che looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"Master Tie, I have come here to invite you to serve as the honorary weapon refiner of my Lin family's Green Wood Merchant Guild."

"Offering?" Tie Wushuang put down his wine cup, and a hint of clarity suddenly appeared in his hazy, drunken eyes.

"I don't like being controlled. Your chambers of commerce and families have so many rules and regulations. You have to report today and evaluate me tomorrow. It's so annoying. I can't stand it."

Lin Che smiled and shook his head: "Our Lin family is different."

He took out a contract from his sleeve and handed it to Tie Wushuang.

The contract was written on silk paper, with neat handwriting and clear terms, and it was also stamped with the Lin family's clan seal.

"You can take orders in your own workshop. The Chamber of Commerce will not interfere. You can step in when the Chamber of Commerce needs you. Your monthly salary includes ten catties of third-tier spirit beast meat and five thousand spirit stones. The Chamber of Commerce will provide the basic materials needed for refining. The Chamber of Commerce will buy the magic weapons you refine at market price and will not take a cut."

The Aoki Chamber of Commerce's current goal is simply to have the masters join to enhance the Chamber's influence, not to profit from them. Therefore, the conditions are lenient, but of course, the corresponding salaries will be much lower.

Tie Wushuang picked up the contract, flipped through it, and then put it down.

"Alright!" He slammed his hand on the table, making the wine jars bounce. "Brother Lin, since you've said so, how could I possibly refuse? Just for you, for the wine, for the snacks, I, Tie Wushuang, agree!"

He paused, then added, "I don't want any other salary; all I need is some snacks to go with my drinks every month!"

"Alright, then let's do as Master Tie says and continue drinking!"

Another jar of spirit wine was taken out, and its rich aroma once again filled the air.

He poured himself a bowl and then filled Tie Wushuang's bowl as well.

"Dry."

The two men clinked bowls together, tilted their heads back, and drank the rest of their drinks in one gulp.

……

As they parted, Tie Wushuang saw them to the door. Still slightly drunk, he staggered a bit, but his eyes were much brighter than when they first met.

He patted Lin Che's shoulder, the force still heavy, but with a touch of intimacy in that heaviness.

"Patriarch Lin, I'll consider you my friend."

Lin Che cupped his hands in greeting, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

The twilight had stretched his shadow long, casting it onto the bluestone path like a silhouette gradually fading into the distance.

It was already late at night when we returned to Chuyang City.

Lin Che did not return to his clan's territory, but instead went to the Black Tooth Swamp.

Under the moonlight, the White Bone Pure Lotus grew quietly in the clear pool, its petals as white as jade, emitting a soft light that dyed the entire swamp with a faint silvery white.

Beneath the lotus leaves, several spirit fish swam, occasionally leaping out of the water, splashing up tiny water droplets that spread out in circles before being dispersed by the night breeze.

Lin Che stood by the pool, circulating his magical power within his body to dispel any lingering effects of intoxication.

He took out the seed of the Nine-Aperture Golden Lotus and carefully placed it into a spiritual spring at the edge of the pool.

The seed fell into the water and sank into the mud and sand. It did not sprout immediately, but he could feel that the faint life force was slowly awakening.

He took out a communication jade slip and sent a message to Lin Xuandong: "Tie Wushuang has agreed. Pei Wan is not needed for the time being. Lu Yunzhou is enough for the alchemist. As for the formation master, I will ask Master Qin."

……

In the days that followed, the entire Lin family was busy preparing for the opening of the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce in Burning Bone City.

Lin Xuandong was stationed in Burning Bone City, personally overseeing the shop's renovation and staff training.

He only slept for two hours a day, his eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep, but his energy was getting better and better. He walked with a brisk pace and even spoke louder than usual.

He went through each of the shopkeepers, accountants, and waiters one by one, paying attention to everything from etiquette and conversation techniques to describing the appearance of the spirit beasts and explaining the effects of the elixirs. He didn't overlook any detail.

Lin Xuanqi was at home coordinating the supply of goods.

Spirit beasts, spirit beast meat, and pills were counted one by one, packed into boxes, and then handed over to Lin Xuanfeng and the Lin family guards for personal escort.

The spirit beast eggs were packaged in specially made jade boxes, the spirit beast meat was refrigerated using a preservation array, and the pills were packaged and sealed in jade bottles. Each item was clearly labeled to ensure that nothing went wrong.

Lin Xuanjing led the elite garrison troops to station themselves on the only road leading from Black Tooth Swamp to Burning Bone Pass.

They set up three sentry posts, patrolling day and night in shifts, so that not even a single monster dared to approach the road.

Some ignorant rogue cultivators, hoping to take advantage of the situation, would slink away as soon as they saw the garrison troops in their standard spirit armor.

Everything is progressing smoothly.

Half a month later, Lin Xuandong sent back a message: "Father, the shop renovation is complete, the staff training is in place, the shelves are full, everything is ready, only an auspicious day is needed."

Lin Che stood on the shore of Shattered Star Lake, gazing at the rising sun over the lake.

"Alright, then we'll open for business in three days."