Episode 19: The Kindness of the Boss
In Shen Jian's study, Duan Tianyi and Yang Mufeng held fragrant tea in their hands and sat opposite him. Because they had something important to discuss with him, no one else was present. In fact, Duan and Yang had already guessed something about it, and their expressions were calm.
"According to Bijiawei, you are all from the outside world and are here for intense training," Shen Jian said softly, breaking the silence in the room.
"Exactly. When we first arrived in this place, we just wanted to gain some experience. We never expected to meet the young lady, and that's how we managed to save our lives," Duan Tianyi put down the tea cup in his hand and looked at Shen Jian.
"I heard about your deeds last night. That young man should be Sister Shenhong, right?"
"The big boss has a keen eye. To avoid attracting attention, we had no choice but to do so,"
"These are not important. To be honest, I am in a hurry to find you two because I have something to ask, but I can't bring myself to say it,"
"Just tell it straight. We brothers don't like to beat around the bush," Yang Mufeng said in a low voice.
"I want to buy the essence from you. Of course, the price will be higher than the market price. You won't be disadvantaged," Shen Jian said with a relaxed expression.
Duan and Yang exchanged glances, laughing inwardly. Just as they had expected. Now, apart from the mysterious Sister Shenhong, the most attractive thing about them was the essence. It seemed to be inexhaustible.
"I know that such a request is a bit excessive. The essence is the most precious thing for us as elemental masters. It plays a significant role in breaking through the realm. If you two are willing, I can offer any price," Shen Jian seemed to have a firm grip on the two, his tone was very resolute, not insincere.
"May I ask what the big boss needs so much of the essence for? As far as I know, after reaching the elemental school level, the essence seems to have little effect. Although it is faster than ordinary elemental stones to cultivate, it is too expensive. It seems to have little help for your cultivation," Duan Tianyi questioned.
"Exactly as Mr. Duan said, the essence has little appeal for my cultivation. However, in other aspects, it has a great impact on the Shen family business," Shen Jian paused, seemingly hiding something.
"We do have some essence, but we don't lack elemental stones. We hope to exchange for other things. What do you think, big boss?" Duan Tianyi saw that he wouldn't tell the reason, so he didn't ask any further. Their purpose for this trip was only to exchange some necessary items and ask Shen Jian about the reasons for their inability to cultivate.
"Sure, everything is fine. As long as you have something you like, the entire business can be chosen by you," Shen Jian seemed a little impatient, which made the two feel that there must be something profound behind it.
Duan Tianyi then threw a storage bag to Shen Jian, which contained the thirty essences he had prepared beforehand. One essence might not be of much value, but together, the thirty had a different meaning. It could completely cultivate several elemental school-level experts in the shortest time, which was an incomparable wealth for any force.
"Thirty!" Shen Jian sighed, his eyebrows slightly furrowed, seemingly not satisfied with this number.
"Does the big boss think thirty is not enough?" Yang Mufeng sneered.
"No, no. I have lived in this place for over twenty years. There are less than twenty essences in the market. This is already an astronomical figure for the entire Shamal City," Shen Jian quickly recovered his expression and smiled apologetically.
"My brother has something to ask. Is the big boss able to answer?" Duan Tianyi smiled.
"Please go ahead,"
"Since being rescued by the young lady in the, my brother and I suddenly found that our cultivation abilities were completely lost and we could no longer cultivate. We don't know why?" Duan Tianyi asked, although they didn't have any dimensional pearls, they still had considerable combat power, and they didn't fear this first master of the Shamal City, directly stating their situation. "How could this be? Your combat power is definitely no less than that of an ordinary first-level elemental master. You really don't have any elemental power?" Shen Jian looked astonished. He had already investigated the two of them and learned quite a bit about them from various sources. According to his estimation, conservatively speaking, both Duan and Yang's combat power is at the level of a first-level elemental master. If they exerted their power without elemental power, then if they regained their elemental power, the combat power would be simply unimaginably powerful.
In fact, Shen Jian didn't know that in their world, they already belonged to the peak existence - innate experts. Moreover, their bodies also contained the energy of the Black Bodhi Fruit and the Inherent Fruit, two divine treasures. Not to mention the elemental level, if they could fully exert their power, they could probably compete with an earl or even a higher-level elemental master.
Of course, these were things that Shen Jian didn't know. He could only make inferences based on the theories of this world. Suddenly, he looked at Duan and Yang with new respect. He no longer felt surprised at their numerous spiritual essences. For elemental-level experts and above, spiritual essences have replaced elemental stones as their sole currency.
Suddenly, Shen Jian pointed his finger at Yang Mufeng and his fingertip's elemental power condensed into a small red sword, extremely destructive. For the sudden surprise attack, Yang Mufeng wasn't nervous. He slightly moved his feet, his body slightly tilted, his right hand was a knife, avoiding the vital point and directly facing it. There was a dull sound, and both of them retreated a little step.
"What does the boss of the big store mean?" Yang Mufeng was slightly angry, his round eyes staring at Shen Jian.
"Yang Feng, don't misunderstand the good people," Duan Tian had already figured out the clue. Shen Jian was testing, hoping to find the answer from the confrontation. Who would have thought that although it was just a test, it was overwhelmed by Yang Mufeng's powerful combat power.
"Such a powerful body?" Shen Jian exclaimed. "Even an ordinary elemental master at the peak level wouldn't have a body like Mr. Yang's. You two really didn't deceive me. I didn't feel your elemental power at all."
"What's going on?" Duan Tian asked.
"Not right. I seem to have sensed a powerful cosmic energy. It comes from the energy of the array. It's really strange. This kind of energy shouldn't appear in the human body at all," Shen Jian was lost in thought for a moment and couldn't find an accurate explanation.
Duan Tian and Yang Mufeng were slightly startled in their hearts. The energy they used was internal force, also an energy produced by the human body, but the people in this world hadn't discovered it. Although it was different from elemental power, it could also be used to fight and win.
To be honest, Inner Force has many advantages over Elemental Force. At least, it doesn't have any requirements for the person who is practicing it. Unlike the Elemental Masters in this world, if someone doesn't have the potential to become an Elemental Master, they basically can't cultivate Elemental Force. However, Inner Force is different. As long as there is a good Inner Martial Art method, even if the person has a poor constitution, they can still become a supreme warrior.
Shen Jian ultimately failed to give them much explanation. He could only attribute it to their physical constitution. He suspected that maybe their physical constitution had undergone some change, causing them to be unable to cultivate Elemental Force. Although the answer didn't satisfy them too much, they didn't feel disappointed either. After all, they had quite a bit of talent for cultivating Inner Force, and they still had several powerful Inner Martial Art methods on their bodies. With time, after purifying the two divine fruits in their bodies, their Inner Force would increase significantly, and they could walk freely in this world.
Although they couldn't cultivate Elemental Force at present, they didn't have the enthusiasm to have them practice. They directly took two low-level earth-level martial arts methods and five low-level earth-level techniques from Shen Jian's treasure room, as well as three sets of low-level earth-level battle armor and three earth-level intermediate weapons. It was truly a full exchange, and they were quite satisfied.
They exchanged these things. On the one hand, it was for future consideration. No one dared to say that they would never be able to cultivate Elemental Force. On the other hand, it was because they were worried about the young sister they just recruited - Shen Xiang. This girl, who was manipulated by fate, always made them feel uneasy. Instead of trying to protect her, it would be better to directly teach her advanced martial arts and techniques. Moreover, based on her night's training progress, Yang Mufeng was certain that Shen Xiang's cultivation talent was truly extraordinary. She rose two levels in one night, and no one could believe it anywhere.
"What is this?" Just as they were about to leave Shen Jian's treasure room, Duan Tianyi was attracted by a worn-out scroll placed in an inconspicuous place. It was strange. It was the sensation of the center of the soul. There was no way to explain why.
"This is a fragment. I don't know if it's a martial art or a technique. I got it in a secret place. For many years, I haven't figured out what it is. If you Mr. Duan like it, I'll give it to you." Shen Jian smiled gently. To be honest, this exchange was profitable for him. Thirty pieces of Elemental Essence and the fifteen pieces he gave to Shen Biyao at the beginning, totaling forty-five pieces, were worth much more than these martial arts and weapons. So he was happy to give this useless thing as a favor to Duan Tianyi.
"Where do you two gentlemen plan to go next?" Shen Jian seemed to have something to say, and his expression was a bit strange.
"Let's wait and participate in the trade fair in a few days. Anyway, it's all about entering the world for experience. There's no difference anywhere." Yang Mufeng smiled lightly, sensing Shen Jian's underlying meaning. The big snake casually said, "I don't know if you two are willing to stay. I Shen Jian can provide the most suitable place for you two to practice. Of course, if Miss Shen Xiang is willing, she can also stay."
The divine sword sincerely said, "Through the previous test, I have every reason to believe that these two young men are not as simple as they seem on the surface. They have developed a desire to attract me. If the Shen Family Trading House joins two of the top-level Elemental Masters, it will truly become the first force in Shamal City."
"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Duan. My brothers are used to being lazy and don't like being restricted. Today, all the matters have been settled, so let's say goodbye." Duan Tianyi slightly bowed and offered his respects, then turned to leave, showing no intention of staying. Yang Mufeng found this amusing. He knew that Duan Tianyi was using a stratagem of feigning restraint. They were very coordinated, with a cold expression as they turned and left.
"Please hold on, if you have any requirements, please let me know!" Shen Jian shouted hurriedly. However, Duan and Yang didn't stop. They had already left the room.
"Which of my daughters do you think is good?" Shen Jian finally seemed a bit nervous. He had brought out the Twin Blues of Shamal City. This was his self-assessed trump card. Anyone would be tempted. However, the two of them still ignored him.
"This old guy must be up to something. He even betrayed his own precious daughter." Yang Mufeng whispered in Duan Tianyi's ear.
"Soon we'll find out." Duan Tianyi smiled slightly, his mind calm.