After leaving the mountain gate of the Riverside Sect, Shen Mo didn't immediately return to Hongye City. Instead, using the Three-Heads Six-Arms True Immortal Technique, he altered his physique, appearance, and soul aura before entering Jiyun Town. He needed to find Shopkeeper Qian to sell the Elixirs he had taken the time to refine.

Baodan Pavilion.

As soon as Shopkeeper Qian saw Shen Mo, he rushed up with red eyes, grabbing his arm and not letting go.

"Brother Mo, you're finally here!"

"Those clansmen of my Qian family, and that clan uncle of mine, they're pressing me too hard."

"I really... can't hold on much longer!"

"Brother Mo, tell me straight: have you found a suitable person to help me through this crisis?"

Shen Mo carefully examined Shopkeeper Qian, noticing his chubby face had thinned considerably. His face was filled with exhaustion and fatigue; it was clear he wasn't faking it.

If this had been before, Shen Mo would definitely have washed his hands of it and refused to get involved any further. But times had changed. He now had the confidence to confront Elder Qian!

"Shopkeeper Qian, don't worry! I've already found a suitable candidate. This person holds immense prestige within the Riverside Sect."

"When the time comes, establishing the shop, exchanging shares, and so on, will all be registered under his name."

"Even Elder Qian wouldn't dare to easily seize his property!"

Shen Mo wasn't deliberately exaggerating or boasting. Given his current standing in the eyes of the sect's upper echelons, Elder Qian and the Qian Family truly wouldn't dare to openly seize his properties. This was the most concrete manifestation of the intangible wealth he possessed! Of course, if Elder Qian dared to flip the table and secretly try to assassinate him, the Jade Talisman bestowed by the Peak Master would immediately prove useful.

Hearing this, Shopkeeper Qian's expression instantly relaxed. He then asked, "Who is this person? Does he truly possess the kind of power you describe?"

Shen Mo smiled faintly. "You've dealt with him before. In a couple of days, when he comes looking for you, you'll naturally know."

After handing over the newly refined Elixirs to Shopkeeper Qian, Shen Mo left Jiyun Town.

「Two days later.」

Shen Mo, who had returned to his Inner Door cave mansion to cultivate in seclusion, reappeared in the main hall of Baodan Pavilion. Only this time, he was using his true appearance!

"You…"

Upon seeing him, Shopkeeper Qian was first puzzled, then an expression of astonishment crossed his face.

"You are Mo Shen's disciple!"

"Weren't you reported to have perished in the Linjiang Mountain Range some time ago?"

Shen Mo hadn't altered his soul aura, so Shopkeeper Qian quickly recognized this 'regular customer.'

When I first approached Shopkeeper Qian as 'Mo Shen,' I casually made up an excuse. I didn't expect him to still remember it! But now, I have to use my real identity to open a shop and exchange shares with him. Only then will Elder Qian and his clansmen become wary of acting rashly!

After a brief contemplation, Shen Mo smiled and said, "I was indeed trapped in some ruins back then and didn't return to the sect for a long time, which is why my master assumed I had perished."

"Fortunately, I was lucky. Not only did I make it out alive, but I also gained some benefits."

"Could it be that my master didn't mention this to you?"

Shopkeeper Qian looked bewildered; he couldn't recall if 'Mo Shen' had ever mentioned this to him.

Seeing his expression, Shen Mo knew he had the situation under control and continued, "My master doesn't want others to know his true identity, so you mustn't mention my connection to him in front of anyone else!"

"Otherwise, the secret agreement between you and my master will be void!"

Having finally grasped a lifeline, how could Shopkeeper Qian possibly let it go so easily? After Shopkeeper Qian swore an oath, guaranteeing he would keep the matter strictly confidential, Shen Mo nodded with a smile.

At this moment, Shopkeeper Qian also processed this, a hint of suspicion appearing on his plump face: "Fellow Daoist, your progress in cultivation realm is indeed astonishingly rapid. However..."

"You're still in the Qi Gathering Realm, right? Are you confident you can protect the shop's assets?"

"Don't let it get to a point where, once my clan uncle, the Elder, and my clansmen exert pressure, you're left with no recourse!"

Shopkeeper Qian's concerns were somewhat justified. An ordinary Qi Gathering Realm cultivator, no matter how capable, how could they dare to challenge an entire cultivator family and a sect Elder?

Shen Mo smiled but didn't answer.

Instead, he took out three hundred middle-grade Spirit Stones from his Universe Bag and piled them in front of Shopkeeper Qian.

The spoils from exterminating the Liu and Wu families, the meritorious reward from the Defense Division, and the proceeds from selling Elixirs—almost all of it was here. Shen Mo was left with fewer than fifty Lower Grade Spirit Stones on him!

"My master and I have already prepared the Spirit Stones for purchasing the shops. Even if you don't believe me, Shopkeeper Qian, surely you believe in this sum of Spirit Stones?"

The gleam of the Spirit Stones shone on Shopkeeper Qian's face, causing his expression to shift indeterminately.

Finally, he gritted his teeth, his tone firm.

"A fellow daoist wouldn't joke with such a vast amount of Spirit Stones. I believe you!"

"Over these past few months, I've also been scouting the Market and have identified several shops looking to transfer ownership."

"If you have the time, fellow daoist, why not come with me to take a look? If we find suitable ones, we'll buy them!"

"Afterward, we can both go and handle the relevant documents and procedures."

Jiyun Town has a Golden Core Realm patriarch overseeing it, maintaining order in the Market and collecting tributes, among other things. To establish a business in the Market, one naturally has to register it with the authorities!

"Very well!"

Shen Mo considered for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Shopkeeper Qian had been navigating Jiyun Town for a long time and was a veteran in business; there was no need to worry about his judgment being poor.

Indeed, as Shen Mo had expected, the shops Shopkeeper Qian had selected were all exceptional. From Shen Mo's perspective, they also had considerable potential to become prosperous shops! It was just that the original shop owners, for various reasons, could no longer continue their operations.

After a lengthy discussion with Shopkeeper Qian and careful deliberation, Shen Mo selected two of the shops, neither of which was too far from Baodan Pavilion.

After a full day of intense work, Shen Mo and Shopkeeper Qian completed all the necessary procedures.

As a result, according to their prior secret agreement:

For Baodan Pavilion and the Ascending Pill Shop, including the two new stores, Shen Mo held a total of sixty percent of the shares.

Shopkeeper Qian, on the other hand, controlled forty percent!

After storing the four shop deeds securely in his Universe Bag, Shen Mo cupped his hands towards Shopkeeper Qian and said, "These four shops will be left in your care, Shopkeeper Qian."

"I will send over the Spirit Stones needed to operate the two new shops in a few days."

"As for whether they can turn a profit, that will depend on your abilities, fellow daoist!"

Shopkeeper Qian was still somewhat dazed. Hearing this, he suddenly jolted alert: "Fellow Daoist Shen, it's only today that I've learned your full name!"

"I never imagined that you were the celestial prodigy from the immortal sect, recently rumored to have defeated a Spirit Sea Realm expert while still in the Qi Gathering Realm."

"When it comes to managing a business, I'm not intimidated. You can rest assured."

"But if my Qian Family clansmen and that clan uncle of mine…"

Shen Mo left the communication imprint of his Sound Transmission Talisman with Shopkeeper Qian.

Then, he stated calmly, "You tell them truthfully that these four shops belong to Shen Mo of Stars Peak."

"If they still refuse to give up, then send me a message."

"I will personally go and speak with Qian Fuming!"

Qian Fuming was the full name of Elder Qian from Rising Sun Peak, and also the main pillar of the Qian Family.

Seeing Shen Mo so composed, the unease in Shopkeeper Qian's heart lessened slightly, but he still felt somewhat apprehensive.

He wasn't entirely sure if relying on the prestige of this immortal sect prodigy would be enough to stop the coercion from his own family!

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