Qu Qingxian put down his teacup and said, "Oh? I wonder what it is that a Fellow Daoist of your cultivation can’t resolve."

Zhang Deming smiled. "For this matter, the cultivation of an outside cultivator like myself isn’t of much use. It requires a local like you, Fellow Daoist."

Qu Qingxian said, "Your words have certainly piqued my interest."

"I need you to publicly support the Blue Sky Branch," Zhang Deming stated.

Hearing this, Qu Qingxian’s brow furrowed slightly. He asked, "You’re going to play your Spirit Nurturing Bead card openly?"

’As expected of an old monster, he figured out my plan in a single sentence.’

Zhang Deming nodded and said, "Given the current situation, I can’t keep a low profile anymore."

Qu Qingxian’s brow remained furrowed. "Fellow Daoist, surely you know the status of a Spirit Nurturing Master?

"And if I’m not mistaken, what you’ve brought from the Alliance are Mastery Level Spirit Nurturing Beads, including the Tier One ones.

"I don’t think I need to explain how attractive such a Spirit Nurturing Master is to any major power, do I?

"In a situation like this, are you certain you’ve thought through the consequences of revealing this card, Fellow Daoist?

"After all, there isn’t a single famous chain store in the Hongmeng Realm called ’Blue Sky.’

"And in Celestial Spirit City, our cultivation levels can’t be considered invincible.

"Besides, this is still the territory of the Celestial Spirit Sect."

Zhang Deming smiled, not answering the question. Instead, he suddenly posed one of his own.

"Fellow Daoist, do you know why someone with my Tai Chi Peak cultivation could not only reach Three-Star status in a secret organization like the Alliance, but also be held in such high regard at the headquarters?"

Qu Qingxian’s expression shifted. A possibility occurred to him, and he asked in astonishment, "Is the path you walk...?"

Zhang Deming simply smiled without answering.

Qu Qingxian suddenly laughed as well. "For someone of your profession to willingly go through the trouble of developing a new district... it seems the Alliance really is an excellent platform."

Zhang Deming chuckled. "Isn’t it just? So, about the matter of your support..."

Qu Qingxian smiled. "Countless people try to curry favor with the three great Spirit Nurturing patriarchs of the Celestial Spirit Sect, yet they can’t even get an audience.

"Now that you’ve dangled such tempting bait in front of me, Fellow Daoist, how could I not bite?"

A faint smile touched Zhang Deming’s lips. "Then it’s settled."

Qu Qingxian paused, then added, "Even with my support, it won’t be that easy."

Zhang Deming smiled. "Don’t worry about that. I just need a way in.

"With you backing me, some of the minor issues won’t be a problem.

"As for the highest-level players, you needn’t worry about them, Fellow Daoist. Just as you said.

"My cultivation might only be considered so-so in Celestial Spirit City, but my profession still carries some weight."

Upon hearing this, Qu Qingxian’s brow relaxed, and a faint smile spread across his face. He said,

"If you put it that way, Fellow Daoist, then there shouldn’t be any problems. You can rest assured about my support.

"After all, the Blue Sky Branch has been officially entered into the family registry as a Qu Family enterprise. No one can find fault with that."

Zhang Deming smiled faintly. ’Wasn’t this the very reason I sifted through so many targets in the first place?’

The two chatted for a while longer before Zhang Deming rose to take his leave.

Zhang Deming returned to his Cave Mansion and packed his things.

He still had about forty Spirit Nurturing Beads in his pouch. Zhang Deming sent a message to Qu Qizhong, and after completing the delivery, he left Celestial Spirit City.

He had been in seclusion for over a month and had rarely made an appearance in the Sect.

Back at Qingyou Pool, Zhang Deming took a stroll around. Everything was as it always was; there wasn’t much that needed tending to begin with.

Besides Zong En, there were also four servants. Forget Zhang Deming—even Zong En had little to do.

The servants easily managed the care of the two-acre medicinal field.

Thus, everything was in perfect order, with no issues whatsoever.

Zhang Deming wandered for a bit and chatted with Zong En. He noticed that each of the servants seemed very reserved and cautious around him.

For a moment, Zhang Deming was reminded of his days on Little Qing Mountain.

He shook his head and dismissed them.

Zhang Deming went to the market stalls. As always, Li Shifan was there selling the corpses of Mid-Level Demon Beasts.

Now, however, he handled himself with ease. Not only were there no wounds, but it was rare to even see a tear in his clothing.

When Zhang Deming walked up to his stall, Li Shifan stared in surprise for a moment before saying, "Senior Brother Zhang, you’ve been as elusive as a dragon this past month."

Zhang Deming smiled. "I’ve been busy with some things."

"Oh, well in that case..."

Just as Li Shifan was about to say something more, his left hand suddenly twitched. He clenched his fist abruptly, staring at Zhang Deming in astonishment.

Zhang Deming glanced discreetly at the other man’s left hand, pretending not to notice anything unusual. "Is the transcription finished?"

Li Shifan snapped back to his senses and quickly said, "Yes, I was just about to bring that up."

As he spoke, he pulled a transcribed booklet from his pouch. "Here. It’s been done for a month, but I never saw you, so I’ve been carrying it with me."

Zhang Deming nodded, took the booklet, and flipped through a few pages. "How many Spirit Stones?"

"Just the base price is fine. There’s no need for such formalities between us," Li Shifan said.

Zhang Deming didn’t stand on ceremony either, since both of them had the intention of befriending the other.

He reached into his pouch, pulled out a small bag, and tossed thirty Spirit Stones to Li Shifan.

Li Shifan didn’t even look, stuffing it directly into his pouch.

"I won’t keep you from your business," Zhang Deming said, looking at Li Shifan.

"Alright. You go on ahead, Senior Brother Zhang," Li Shifan replied.

"By the way, you should go check out that material processing stall I told you about last time.