Chapter 41: The Invincible Body of Solar Thunder (Revised)

“You, on the other hand, have now opened your Sea of Qi and can be considered a skilled practitioner in your own right. Have you ever thought about leaving to take charge of a county?” Zhao Qing asked, his tone casual.

“Master, I’ve only just formed my Sea of Qi. I’m far from being a true expert yet. I’d rather stay here in Willow Town a while longer. While I don’t plan to stay in Crane County all my life, I’m in no hurry to leave,” Ling Chi replied earnestly. He was not yet sixteen, and saw no reason to rush out into the world before his cultivation grew stronger.

“It’s good that you understand this. In this world, it is not status that matters, but strength. Only strength is your true support in the end,” Zhao Qing told Ling Chi with heartfelt sincerity. “You have great talent, so you must cultivate diligently. Times are turbulent, and no one knows when war might break out. Only by raising your cultivation can you protect yourself and those close to you.”

Ling Chi had never spoken so much with Zhao Qing before. He felt his master was trying to tell him: “Don’t repeat my old mistakes, young man.”

When the two returned to the reception hall, Cao Bianjiao immediately pulled Ling Chi away to eat. Adults mingled with adults, the young with the young. The Peacekeeping Bureau had its own dining area—though the selection was limited, the portions were generous.

Practitioners of martial arts had hearty appetites, all the more so at fifteen or sixteen. The two youths devoured an entire table’s worth of food, and with satisfied belches, strolled to the training grounds.

Ling Chi asked Cao Bianjiao about the major powers in the provincial capital, as well as the combat strength of the Yingzhou Guard.

“The Yingzhou Guard, under Deputy Commander Li, is organized with two Thousand-Man Commanders and twenty Hundred-Man Commanders, safeguarding the province,” Cao explained. “Li Changyuan himself is at the eighth level of the Sea of Qi. His two Thousand-Man Commanders are both at the third or fourth level, while most of the Hundred-Man Commanders are late-stage Pulse Opening. I’ve heard two of them recently broke through to the Sea of Qi, though I’m not sure who. In the army, personal cultivation is less important, as their formations are formidable—you saw their might for yourself. Next time you face them, don’t let them form up so easily, or you’ll be in trouble. By the way… have you already broken through to the Sea of Qi?” Cao only now realized that breaking the formation without that realm of power was nearly impossible.

At their last meeting, he’d been two minor realms ahead, but now, in so short a time, he’d been overtaken by an entire major realm.

“My breakthrough was pure luck, nothing worth discussing. Tell me: which forces in the provincial capital are truly untouchable?” Ling Chi brushed the topic aside, not wanting to dwell on it.

“Our Peacekeeping Bureau has a grand reputation and powerful backers, but our roots here are not as deep as He Zhixian’s. Lord He has managed He Prefecture for years; his family is entrenched in both Ying and He provinces, with power, wealth, and influence,” Cao replied. “Then there’s the Four Seas Trading Company—its origins are mysterious. They say there’s a branch in every one of the empire’s one hundred and eighty provinces. Its background is astonishing.”

“There are also some local powers—Fengli Escort Agency, the Tide Guild, Iron Mountain Boxing Hall—all quite formidable in their own right,” Cao added.

Their conversation ranged far and wide before Ling Chi, feeling an increasing sense of urgency, decided he needed to repair his saber soon, lest he find himself unarmed in a critical moment.

The Four Seas Trading Company was located in the southern part of the provincial capital, a grand complex of buildings, each more impressive than the last, yet laid out with impeccable order and bustling with prosperity.

A serving girl at the entrance recognized Cao Bianjiao from afar and hurried forward to greet them. Receptionists in such establishments needed sharp eyes—hard work with little reward.

“Master Cao, what an honor! It’s been some time since you last visited,” she said, her face adorned with a flattering smile as she slipped her arm through his.

The company’s backing was indeed formidable, but that didn’t mean women at their level enjoyed the same status.

“I’m showing my brother Ling around today. Make sure you take good care of him,” Cao instructed.

“This must be the young master, then. My name is Qingqing, a greeter here at the Four Seas Trading Company. You have the air of a refined and distinguished young gentleman,” she said, her bright eyes filled with admiration as she looked at Ling Chi.

Cao Bianjiao grinned broadly, amused by her performance. If she ever saw this refined young man in the thick of battle, bare-chested and locked in fierce combat, she’d probably be stunned speechless.

“I’m looking for some rare materials for forging, to reforge my saber. Please take us directly to what you have,” Ling Chi said coolly, resting his hand on his saber hilt. He made a gesture, knowing that women in such establishments were adept performers—enough to fool a youth like Cao, perhaps, but not him.

“This way, gentlemen.” Guests with such clear and urgent needs delighted the staff—the chances of a sale were high, helping them meet their monthly quotas.

Inside, the company resembled a palace, with every conceivable supply neatly arrayed: swords, spears, armor for the common man, and farther in, the cultivation resources, rare treasures, and tools for warriors and cultivators.

Qingqing led them straight to a tastefully decorated private room, served tea, and waited on them.

Before long, a middle-aged man entered. His round face was framed by thick, dark brows, and his eyes gleamed with shrewdness and depth—a man clearly seasoned in the ways of business.

“Master Cao, it’s been too long. And this young master—how should I address you? I am Wu Wei, third manager of the Four Seas Trading Company’s Yingzhou branch.” Business etiquette was universal—he seemed only a business card away.

“Manager Wu, I am Ling Chi, of the Peacekeeping Bureau.”

“So this is the young master who broke the military’s Killing Formation? I’ve long heard of you, but I didn’t expect you to be so young and handsome, truly gifted—one can only admire such talent,” Wu Wei said, offering the pleasantries of an old hand at negotiation.

Qingqing’s heart skipped a beat in surprise. She hadn’t expected the elegant youth before her to possess such martial prowess.

Ling Chi was quietly impressed by the company’s intelligence network, but it was only natural—such a major incident at the Peacekeeping Bureau would surely draw the attention of every faction in the city.

“Let’s get straight to business, Manager Wu. I need the finest materials for forging, preferably with lightning attributes, to reforge my saber. Do you have any recommendations?” Ling Chi asked directly.

“You are indeed a forthright young master. Our finest forging material at the moment is Earth Core Gold Essence—a rare and costly treasure. As for lightning materials, they’re even scarcer. I’ve heard there’s a piece of Thunder Ebony Bronze over in He Prefecture, more than twenty catties in weight. It’s said that Thunder Ebony Bronze is formed when lightning strikes ebony, then lies buried underground for centuries. Such treasures are only found by chance.”

“If you have the funds, I can send someone for it and have it delivered to the Peacekeeping Bureau by tomorrow morning.”

Ling Chi listened to Wu Wei’s extravagant sales pitch with skepticism. He was only half-believing—the best materials in a company like this would hardly be just Earth Core Gold Essence.

But he didn’t expose the lie. The adult world was woven with such fictions; to lay them bare would only create awkwardness and drive up the price—he’d be the one to suffer in the end.

“I trust your judgment, Manager Wu. I’ll take forty catties of Gold Essence and the twenty-odd catties of Thunder Ebony Bronze. What price do you offer?”

“The Thunder Ebony Bronze for fifty thousand gold coins, the Gold Essence for twenty thousand. What do you think?”

Wu Wei’s expression remained warm and composed, but Ling Chi could sense the calculations behind his words.

As Qingqing poured Wu Wei’s tea, her heart raced—this sale alone would complete her annual quota. If that bronze was truly so rare, the company would already have sold it to another cultivator specializing in lightning techniques. Was Ling Chi really the only one in the world?