The Shanhai Pavilion stall was located at the very end of Fang Street, directly opposite the Summon Wind Terrace, the storefront of Jueyun Peak.
This was also part of the deal between the enthusiastic citizen Xiao You and the cunning old fox Shen Zhong.
Yun Liu was leaving, and although the Sect Leader could not stop him, he had his own reasons and was very willing to see Yun Liu remain in another capacity.
The position of East Pole Pavilion Master had long been vacant—not because no one coveted it, but because the Kanban Girl refused to approve anyone.
Even Mister Canghai, honored by the Radiant Heaven Tower, was merely regarded as a promising junior in her eyes, still far from meeting her standards.
Xiao You’s boss had to be a perfect balance of beauty and talent, the embodiment of heroism and chivalry!
Whether he could fight didn’t matter; having her there in the stall was enough.
What mattered was that he had to be sharp-minded, someone capable of invigorating the entire business across the map.
In other words, after years of searching, Miss You was just looking to hire a reliable boss to take care of her, while she quietly returned to her old role as muscle and bodyguard—a little scheme that clicked perfectly in her mind.
An obscure junior suddenly taking over the Shanhai Pavilion and commanding the entire Immortal Merchant Association of the province, along with the intelligence network—such explosive news would surely spread quickly throughout the Sea of Clouds Five Peaks, even reaching the entire territory of the Zhu Sheng Dynasty.
The Magic Nine Provinces had a clear divide: the righteous side supported by the Heavenly Concord Alliance’s six great sects, and the underworld led by the Eight Banners Holy (Demon) Sect, locked in endless conflict.
Between these two was a gray area ruled by Mountain and Sea, strictly neutral and eternally independent, refusing to take part in any factional disputes.
For this reason, both the righteous and the dark paths had to show it great respect.
The title of Provincial Pavilion Master might not sound impressive, but in the cultivation world, the power and resources they wielded far exceeded those of external sects, even leaving mortal kings in the dust.
Now this heavy responsibility was entrusted to Yun Liu, elevating him to a special status that surpassed both the Zhu Sheng Dynasty and the Shenhua Sect, allowing him to move through East Pole Province with absolute authority.
Absurd, yet entirely reasonable.
What it truly meant to “lie flat” was something You had completely understood; with this, she could live off the fat of the land, responsible only for carrying out orders instead of making decisions.
Before, this tiny Kanban Girl had to control all subordinates and departments of East Pole Province, so busy she hardly had time to drink water.
Now, with a casual wave of her hand, she just wanted to be bossed around by her new leader and enjoy the bliss of an effortless victory.
Yun Liu understood this well but could not refuse, simply because she had given him too much!
The plan had been perfectly realized, yet once again, exerting too much force brought some unexpected consequences—fulfilling his dream in one breath but also bearing the corresponding responsibilities.
“Falling from one pit into another?”
The young CEO who only wanted to lie flat found himself caught in Xiao You’s arms first, both laughing and crying, but willingly stepping into the trap.
At least this pit had no traps or disdain, only comfort and ease, with no more worries over safety or business development.
You had eagerly handed over all authority within her power to the new boss, trusting him without reservation—not even a hint of doubt. Even the smartest of strategists could not manage that level of trust so quickly.
Aotian was too shrewd, a master of tricky negotiations, yet after all his scheming, he still didn’t compare to the Kanban Girl’s straightforward granting of power.
“Then let’s sit up a bit and have some fun.”
Yun Liu sat at the top floor of the pavilion, in an antique-style office filled with curling smoke.
He tapped his fingers on the table and opened his eyes again, smiling at Mister Canghai with neither arrogance nor humility.
Penglai Island was a major client, and in the future, Yun Liu would come into contact with many more important figures.
The young man was now incomparable to his humble past as the Chief Disciple of Tianxiang Peak.
You was also very sensible and didn’t disturb the two gentlemen’s discussion.
After a brief introduction of the new leader, she efficiently called the assistants to start work.
Over the next year, the Shanhaipost would be sent throughout the entire Magic Nine Provinces, spreading the name of Yun Liu, East Pole Pavilion Master, to every corner of the Nine Provinces.
This glory belonged to Jueyun Peak, not the Shenhua Sect.
“Mister’s generosity is overwhelming. If I have the time, I will definitely visit Penglai Island in person to thank the Immortal Master of the Boundless Sea.”
Yun Liu gladly promised, as holding a guest elder title at an Outsea Immortal Mountain was a valuable nominal position.
Penglai Island was a major alchemist sect, incomparable to the Yunhai Herbal Hut, and held several top-secret high-grade Pill Recipes.
Though Yun Liu remembered this, without this additional identity, attempting to refine such pills recklessly would invite suspicion and hostility.
Sect prejudices were especially sensitive in the cultivation world.
Moreover, they treated him with courtesy and sincerity, and an occasional visit for vacation would be a nice opportunity to indulge in the island master’s privileges!
“A small gift, far from a proper token of respect. Compared to Miss You’s ‘favor,’ my intentions here pale in comparison.”
Mister Canghai waved his hand with a smile and handed over a Hul Order Token.
With this token, one could come and go freely through the array maze of the Penghu Archipelago.
Many overlords in the heavens and seas would treat its bearer with great courtesy, especially since alchemical medicines were essential for cultivators.
The Dan Tong was wandering around the pavilion’s top floor, exploring this was his first time reaching the summit of the Mountain and Sea, touching this and looking at that.
No one knew why Miss You was so fond of this boy, lavishing him with face and even treating him like a father.
So what if he was a Heavenly Dao Alchemist?
Still just a Foundation Establishment weakling.
There were countless examples of prodigies whose talents were cut short halfway; only those who cultivated to the teacher’s realm could be talked about seriously.
Liusu dared not interrupt, but he kept sneaking glances at Yun Liu, still feeling somewhat dissatisfied.
The teacher in her eyes was incredibly formidable, and the goal of all alchemists in the Penghu Archipelago.
Yet now, a sixteen-year-old country bumpkin had surpassed Mister Canghai and entered the Radiant Heaven Tower faster, taking control of the pavilion the teacher had dreamed of.
Why?
If the girl also investigated Yun Liu’s entire history as You had, witnessing every desperate step of his struggle and rebirth until he turned the tide and defied fate, perhaps she would gain a whole new understanding.
“To be frank, Mister Canghai came all this way with a question to ask.”
“Please ask without hesitation.”
Even a Nascent Soul powerhouse had things to ask a Foundation Establishment alchemist?
Yun Liu sat upright in the high pavilion, listening patiently, though he felt awkward trying to imitate an elder’s manner of speaking and was still not fully accustomed to his role as pavilion master.
“I once searched in vain for a Three-Leaf Datura for a severely injured old friend and paid a high price for an immature Spiritual Flower to attempt refining a Retrospective Pill. There were many mistakes during the process, but fortunately, it didn’t fail.”
“However, the effect of the yellow-grade spirit herb was insignificant. Now, although my old friend’s Qi Sea is unharmed, his cultivation has greatly diminished with no hope of breakthrough. He never blamed me, but my failure to save him remains a deep regret.”
The publicly known Fourth-Grade Alchemist’s embarrassed expression revealed he, too, had a bad experience refining crude yellow-grade spirit herbs, showing just how difficult the Retrospective Pill was to make.
Yun Liu casually said, pondering, “You’re talking about the White Whale Island Master, right? I heard of a similar situation when he sought medical help after being wounded.”
Mister Canghai sighed and nodded. Mr. Kuai had long since inquired about the chances of refining a Retrospective Pill from Penglai Island’s alchemists, but lacked confidence himself.
Now, reflecting on it, the Head of Qingxia Peak must also care deeply for that old friend, not wanting others to help when no help was needed.
When the Retrospective Pill first appeared, Canglang Gorge, White River, and Surging Moon experienced astonishing celestial phenomena. Even he could not help but admire it.