The atmosphere in the hall froze, becoming suffocating.

Master Wu Zun’s sharp gaze was fixed on Ye Xuan, his killing intent palpable.

But Ye Xuan remained relaxed. He gently blew on the tea leaves floating in his cup, took a light sip, and then slowly set it down. "Heh, Master Wu Zun, was I wrong?" he said lightly. "Everyone knows the state of your Divine Walk Commerce Association. Calling you a has-been or good as dead might be an exaggeration, but to say you’re in decline is definitely not. I won’t elaborate on how bleak your Spirit Medicine Market has become; a simple comparison between the foot traffic in your building and the Tianya Commerce Association’s across the street says it all. To claim you have no spirit medicine materials is a lie fit for fools. At the end of the day, the Divine Walk Commerce Association is just scared of the Qin family and doesn’t dare to do business with us."

As Ye Xuan spoke, he continued to sip his tea, looking completely at ease and showing no sign that he was in grave danger.

"I am well aware of the Divine Walk Commerce Association’s situation. I don’t need a reminder from you, Young Master Ye."

Wu Zun stared intently at Ye Xuan. He couldn’t understand where Ye Xuan got the nerve to say such things.

"Heh, I think Master Wu Zun is the one who doesn’t understand," Ye Xuan said lightly. "In its current state, the Divine Walk Commerce Association needs customers more than ever. Yet, because of a casual word from the so-called Qin family, you’d turn your most distinguished VIPs away and refuse a business deal that could revive your association. I see no future for an association like this."

Ye Xuan said with a disappointed look, "Since the Divine Walk Commerce Association is determined to dig its own grave, I have nothing more to say. Patriarch Luo, let’s go."

"The most distinguished VIP? A business that could revive us? Such big words," Wu Zun said with a sneer. "The Divine Walk Commerce Association has five levels of VIPs, with First Level being the highest and fifth the lowest. Your Luo family, at best, qualifies as a Fourth-Level VIP. I don’t think you’re qualified to say such things."

Ye Xuan retrieved a token from his Storage Ring and tossed it out. He sneered, "Someone once gave me this little plaque, saying it represented their association’s highest VIP status. Was she wrong? Or did I mishear?"

A dark token clattered and spun across the table. It was engraved with complex patterns, and the emblem of the Divine Walk Commerce Association was clearly visible on its surface, giving it an air of ancient dignity.

It was the VIP token Dongfang Zisi had given him.

"Heh, I’ll have a look then." Wu Zun sneered, picking up the token. A faint, cold smile remained on his lips, clearly unimpressed by whatever level of token Ye Xuan had produced.

The Divine Walk Commerce Association’s VIPs were divided into five levels, with a huge distinction between each and a strict classification system.

In his capacity as the Master of the Sky Empire branch, he could only issue Third-Level VIP tokens. Second-Level and First-Level VIPs had to be approved by the association’s upper echelon, and those who held them were invariably powerful figures or leaders of major forces on the Dream Realm Plain.

Wu Zun’s gaze fell upon the VIP token. Suddenly, his pupils shrank, and the sneer on his face froze. He looked as if he had swallowed an egg whole—unable to get it down or bring it back up.

"A... A First-Level VIP Token!"

Wu Zun’s eyes went wide with shock. He examined the token carefully. It was undeniably real. This plaque was absolutely a First-Level VIP Token from the Divine Walk Commerce Association, a symbol of extraordinary status.

"Young Master Ye is a First-Level VIP of our Divine Walk Commerce Association! Why didn’t you say so earlier? Please forgive me if I was offensive just now."

Wu Zun’s expression softened instantly, becoming incredibly amiable with a hint of reverence. He said apologetically, "Please wait here for a moment, you two. The situation is complex, so I cannot make a decision rashly. As it happens, an elder from the association is present at our branch. I will go and inform him. I hope you’ll understand."

Wu Zun spoke with immediate deference and then hurried out.

A First-Level VIP didn’t just represent a customer’s status; it was a symbol of honor. Only the leaders of great powers were ever issued one.

Among all the dignitaries in the Sky Empire, only the imperial family held this qualification. Thus, the moment Ye Xuan presented the First-Level VIP Token, Wu Zun’s attitude changed completely.

With the Qin family’s orders on one hand and a distinguished First-Level VIP on the other, he immediately understood that he was in no position to make the call. He had to notify the elder at the branch.

Luo Min’s eyes widened in amazement as he watched Wu Zun’s hastily departing figure. Although he didn’t know exactly how prestigious a First-Level VIP of the Divine Walk Commerce Association was, seeing the speed and completeness of Wu Zun’s change in attitude told him it was something extraordinary. He was inwardly shocked. ’Just who is Young Master Ye? To even have a First-Level VIP Token for the Divine Walk Commerce Association... this is simply unbelievable.’

In the time he had been following Ye Xuan, Luo Min had lost count of how many times he’d been shocked. His curiosity about Ye Xuan’s origins grew, and at the same time, he was overjoyed with his decision to follow him.

’Young Master Ye’s background is unfathomable. Following him will surely lead to a bright future.’

Meanwhile, inside the Divine Walk Commerce Association, Wu Zun hurried to a room and knocked gently on the door.

"Elder Ye, Master Wu requests an audience."

"Come in."

A somewhat weary voice came from within.

Wu Zun entered the room to find an old man sitting at a desk, hunched over his work. His forehead was lined with wrinkles, and his eyes were filled with a deep, lingering worry.

"Master Wu, what brings you here?" the old man asked, putting down his work and rubbing his philtrum quizzically.

Wu Zun immediately reported, "Elder Ye, someone from the Luo family came today, saying they want to do business with our Divine Walk Commerce Association..."

"The Luo family? The one that was blacklisted by the Qin family?" the old man asked, puzzled.

"Yes." Wu Zun nodded.

The old man said no more, listening intently. He knew that since Wu Zun had come here, the matter was far more complicated than just the Luo family wanting to do business.

"I had already refused their business outright, but then the Luo family produced a First-Level VIP Token for our association. I did not dare to make a rash decision, so I came to ask for your guidance, Elder Ye."

"A First-Level VIP Token?" The old man shot to his feet in surprise, frowning. "How could the Luo family have a First-Level VIP Token? Do you have it?"

Wu Zun quickly handed over the token. "Elder Ye, here it is. The token doesn’t belong to the Luo family, but to a young man they are following."

Wu Zun knew that while the First-Level VIP Tokens looked the same on the surface, they secretly bore special marks that indicated a certain identity, which only the highest echelons of the association could discern.

This Elder Ye was not only an elder of the association but also its grand steward, so he would definitely be able to tell.

Sure enough, as soon as the old man took the token, a look of astonishment appeared on his face. "It’s him?"

"Elder Ye, you know him?"

"You could say that. Come, I will go see him myself." A smile touched the corners of Elder Ye’s mouth.

Ye Xuan and Luo Min were waiting in the reception hall.

A moment later, a booming voice came from the doorway. "Young Master Ye, long time no see. I trust you’ve been well."

An old man walked in, his face wreathed in smiles. It was Elder Ye, with Wu Zun following cautiously behind him.

"It’s you!" Ye Xuan was slightly surprised to see him. "Weren’t you in charge of the Treasure Pavilion in Black Stone City? What are you doing in the Sky Empire?"

This Elder Ye was none other than Dongfang Ye, who had been by Dongfang Zisi’s side back then.

"Hehe, there’s something you may not know, Young Master Ye. The Treasure Pavilion in Black Stone City is Miss Zisi’s personal property. I was merely accompanying her to oversee things." The old man chuckled and presented the VIP token with both hands. "This is the VIP token Miss Zisi gave you. Please, take it back."

Wu Zun was shocked. ’This kid’s VIP token was a gift from Miss Dongfang Zisi? Does that mean he has some connection to her? Dongfang Zisi is a genius student at Gale Light Academy... could this kid be one too?’

Recently, Ye Xuan had been making such a name for himself in the Imperial Capital that countless people, including Wu Zun, were curious about his identity.

’But I heard Miss Dongfang Zisi never associates with any male students. How could she be connected to Young Master Ye?’

’Something’s fishy!’

Wu Zun’s inner gossip-monger was instantly aflame.

Dongfang Zisi was the president’s only daughter and the sole heir to the association. As a high-ranking member, Wu Zun was naturally very interested in any gossip concerning the young miss.

Ye Xuan put away the token and smiled faintly. "Since an acquaintance is here, that’s even better. Here, I need a batch of materials, and I need them within three days. With the Divine Walk Commerce Association’s resources, that should be easy enough, right? Oh, and according to your association’s VIP rules, I get a twenty percent discount on this batch, don’t I?"

Ye Xuan flicked out a list covered in densely written characters for various materials.

Elder Ye took the list but didn’t look at it. He set it down gently and said to Ye Xuan, "Young Master Ye must be aware of the Qin family’s orders, right? By accepting the Luo family’s business, my Divine Walk Commerce Association would be making an enemy of the Qin family, a giant in the Alchemy Dao. If that happens, we’ll find it even more difficult to do business in the Sky Empire."

Dongfang Ye looked at Ye Xuan with a calm expression.

Although he was an old acquaintance of Ye Xuan’s, business was business. As an elder of the association, he had to consider things from its perspective.

"Elder Ye, what you’re saying is rather disappointing," Ye Xuan said with a cold smile. "I seem to recall that the business I did with your association could be considered having saved you once. Now, I just want to buy some materials, and you’re lecturing me about another family’s orders. Isn’t that a bit ungrateful?"

Ye Xuan narrowed his eyes and sipped his tea.

"I admit that."

Elder Ye didn’t deny it. "The business you did with our Divine Walk Commerce Association back then did indeed save us to a certain extent. But, Young Master Ye, you must understand that our business in the Sky Empire is already in decline. If we offend the Qin family on top of that, we might not be able to continue operating here at all."