Wang Guan of the Soldier's Outpost Market

The next morning, a Wang family cultivator came to invite Qi Xiu, saying that the family head wanted to see him immediately. This was a much warmer reception than what Chu Youmin had shown—Wang Guan's hospitality was indeed well-known.

The Wang family cultivator who came to escort Qi Xiu was likely at the mid-stage of Qi Condensation. He spoke with politeness and grace. 

Wang Guan usually didn't reside in the marketplace, but arrived early this morning, just in time to see the letter of introduction and the gifts that Qi Xiu had sent over. Additionally, he was also quite curious about the Chu Qin Sect. 

Qi Xiu was able to meet him without any trouble.

After respectfully greeting Wang Guan as a junior, they exchanged pleasantries and took their seats. Wang Guan started the conversation by asking about the Chu Qin Sect's history. 

Qi Xiu explained everything honestly, even mentioning the attack on Chu Qin Peak by the three sects, though he did omit details related to the Southern Chu Sect.

How to handle Wang Guan? After deciding to seek his assistance, Qi Xiu thought it through carefully. The Chu Qin Sect's heritage was well-ordered, and there was a connection with the Nascent Soul cultivator Chu Zhen from the Qi Yun Sect, which was a significant asset for the Wang family, who were based in the southernmost corner of Qi Yun Kingdom. 

This was a connection Qi Xiu definitely wanted to leverage. As for any awkward matters, it was unlikely that even the three sects, currently the Spreading Blossom Sect, would cover them up. But it was better to openly address them and show sincerity. For these issues, being truthful would be best. 

For the sensitive details from the Southern Chu Sect's jade slip could be subtly omitted using the Nine Truths and One False Technique.

As the two talked, they observed each other. Wang Guan was an elderly man with a kind and benevolent face. Though looked youthful with white hair and a dignified demeanor, there was a faint trace of dark energy in the center of his brow — a sign that his time was running short.

No wonder he was now wholly focused on building connections with various cultivators to ensure the Wang family's keep its presence and influence in the Soldier's Outpost Market and lay a solid foundation for its future.

Wang Guan gently stroked his beard. "Elder Chu is a major figure in our Qi Yun Sect. I didn't expect that your founder was once his disciple. Your sect indeed has quite a solid background," he said, showing some respect for the Chu Qin Sect.

Qi Xiu gave a somewhat awkward smile. "That's true, but because our second-generation sect leader isn't up to standard, Elder Chu made it clear he wouldn't be offering us any help." He felt a bit helpless—though it was an embarrassing family scandal to admit, he needed to be clear about this. Qi Xiu didn't want to fabricate any non-existent relationship with Chu Zhen in front of Wang Guan. 

Especially since Wang Guan was from the Qi Yun Sect, and with a bit of investigation, he could easily uncover the details of the Chu Qin Sect. If it were discovered that Qi Xiu was exaggerating things, it could backfire.

Wang Guan remained calm and seemed completely unsurprised. He chuckled lightly. "Even though Elder Chu said he wouldn't be providing further support," he said. "You making it to South Xinjiang was still thanks to his efforts, wasn't it?"

"Yes, Elder Chu entrusted our sect to the Chu family in South Xinjiang and helped us settle at Black River Peak, which has helped preserve our sect's legacy," Qi Xiu replied. 

From Wang Guan's reaction, it was clear he already had a good grasp of Chu Qin Sect's background and was just testing him earlier. Qi Xiu sighed in his heart. Such an old cultivator who holds power in his area is indeed not someone easy to deal with.

It seemed his straightforwardness had been the right approach.

Wang Guan laughed heartily, as if many of his doubts had been put to rest. "Ancestor Chu must be nearly two thousand years old by now, right?" He chuckled, clapping his hands. "As people age, they tend to care more about helping the younger generation and maintaining old connections. I'm 180 years old myself, so I can understand Elder Chu's sentiments. Who knows? Someone might repay his kindness to his descendants someday. Things change over time, and you never know what the future holds."

Wang Guan's words seemed polite but were quite straightforward in meaning. Qi Xiu quickly understood what he was getting at. "Exactly. Ancestor Chu's great kindness to our sect is something we'll never forget," he promptly said. "If there ever comes a day when we can repay him, we will do so, even at the cost of our own lives. Though our sect is small and weak, as Daoist cultivators, we understand the principle of repaying kindness many times over."

"Hmm." Wang Guan stroked his beard and nodded with a smile, clearly pleased with this response. 

The conversation continued, and when Qi Xiu saw it was the right moment, he brought up his request and asked Wang Guan to act as a mediator for the transaction with the Spreading Blossom Sect involving the crimson jade formation plate.

Wang Guan thought it over briefly and agreed. The Wang family would inform the Spreading Blossom Sect that the crimson Jade formation plate was in Qi Xiu's possession and ensure that the transaction was safe and fair for both parties.

With his objectives easily achieved, Qi Xiu felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He made sure to express his gratitude, offering many compliments and promises of future favors, which pleased Wang Guan even more. 

The conversation continued smoothly until there was nothing more to discuss. Noticing Wang Guan picking up his tea cup, Qi Xiu knew it was time to take his leave.

After Qi Xiu left, the young cultivator who had been sitting quietly behind Wang Guan finally spoke up, clearly annoyed. "Why did you treat a low-level Qi Condensation cultivator with such respect? Qi Xiu seems average at best and doesn't seem like he'll achieve much. He didn't even seek help from the Chu family of South Xinjiang but came to you instead. Not to mention that the Nan Chu Sect assigned him to a place like Black River—it's clear they don't think highly of him. Why bother dealing with him?"

Wang Guan shot a stern look at the young cultivator. "There's no particular reason; it's just a small favor. Even if it's just a bit of goodwill, you never know when it might come in handy," he reprimanded him sharply. "In the path of the Great Dao, twists and turns are common. You young people, with your high ambitions and arrogance, often offend people with no reason. Remember, a cultivator's grudge can last for decades or even centuries! We Daoists are better off, but those demonic cultivators? They hold onto grudges for a lifetime. And what about those who practice Buddhism? If they have a grudge with you, not resolving it can hinder their own path to enlightenment. You always listen to those scattered cultivators from the White Mountain talking about swift vengeance and grudges. Have you only learned how to flatter those above you and look down on those below?"

The young cultivator, seeing Wang Guan's anger, could only nod repeatedly and flatter him profusely until the elder was satisfied. He then took his leave, not mentioning anything further.

….

After bidding farewell to Wang Guan, Qi Xiu wandered aimlessly through the shops in the area.

Whenever he came across something he didn't recognize, he made sure to ask the available staff or attendants for a clear explanation. When the staff became impatient, he would offer a small gift like a low-grade talisman and show humility and politeness. 

This way, most cultivators would then offer some helpful advice.

By evening, he headed back to his inn with the local travelogues and reference books he'd bought and poured over them diligently, soaking up knowledge like a sponge. 

Except for the Daoist techniques that were beyond his aptitude due to his Fate Source, he made sure to absorb all kinds of knowledge.

Five days later, a Wang family cultivator came to inform him that Wang Guan had arranged a meeting for him and the Spreading Blossom Sect. The trade would take place three days later in Qi Nan City, a major cultivation city in the southern part of Qi Yun Kingdom.