Chapter 45: A Fine Thing, The Invitation

Sitting in the front row, Ma Tian immediately drew out a black umbrella with a silver handle and stepped out of the car to shield Master Chen from the rain.

Standing under the umbrella, Chen Xian surveyed the courtyard before him. The white walls and black tiles exuded an air of antiquity, while two imposing stone lions stood guard at the entrance, their bases covered in moss, the weathered stone marked with patches of age.

In front of the heavy wooden doors, which were studded with rows of tarnished bronze nails, two bodyguards in black suits stood at attention, their bearing crisp and efficient.

Chen Xian keenly sensed that the spiritual energy here seemed richer than at H State Polytechnic, the residential district in the northern part of the city, or other places he had visited. He surmised that perhaps it was due to the courtyard’s location in the mountains, with a natural lake at the foot of the hill, and the auspicious feng shui of the site.

As soon as the two bodyguards at the gate saw Ma Tian, they bent in respectful greeting. “Good day, President Ma!”

“Come, greet Master Chen. From now on, he is the master of this place. You will follow all of his instructions,” Ma Tian said with solemn authority.

Though a flicker of doubt passed through their eyes, the two bodyguards quickly stepped forward and greeted Chen Xian with deference. “Good day, Mr. Chen!”

The original master of this estate had been the Ma family patriarch.

Chen Xian nodded. “Open the gate.”

“Yes, sir!”

With a creak, the doors swung open to reveal a courtyard filled with a variety of rare and precious plants—orchids worth millions, elegant potted Buddhist pines, and more.

Chen Xian cast only a brief glance before following Ma Tian into the main house.

Inside, the lighting was dim, with only a few candles casting a wavering glow. By the candles stood an incense burner, the fragrance of spent incense lingering in the air.

“Other than the valuable plants outside, does the Ma family patriarch have any other treasures here?” Chen Xian asked, quickly surveying the interior and finding nothing remarkable.

“Please wait a moment, Master Chen,” Ma Tian replied.

He approached the incense burner, gently twisting it in his hands. With a soft click, the wall beside the burner slid open, revealing a hidden chamber.

“Please, Master Chen.” Ma Tian wore a sycophantic smile as he spoke.

He entered the room first, with Chen Xian following close behind.

Within the secret chamber stood several rows of rosewood cabinets, upon which were displayed exquisite porcelain and bronzeware, as well as rolled-up calligraphy and paintings.

All of them were antiques.

“Master Chen, these antiques collected by my family’s patriarch are worth at least two hundred million,” Ma Tian said with a smile.

But Chen Xian was indifferent to the porcelain and paintings. His attention was riveted by a dark chest in the corner, from which he sensed a surge of spiritual energy.

In his mind, the parasitic spirit worm began to tremble with excitement.

Chen Xian strode straight to the chest and opened the lid with a creak. Instantly, a rich medicinal fragrance and an almost palpable aura of spiritual energy washed over him.

His gaze was drawn immediately to the objects within.

There, lying quietly, was a piece of jade the size of a baby’s palm. It was as white as snow, flawless, and exuded a gentle, flowing luster—a rare treasure at first glance.

Besides the jade, there were three wild ginseng roots, their tendrils twisted like an old man’s beard, and five stalks of lingzhi mushroom, each apparently over a hundred years old.

There was also a gilded invitation, its cover inscribed in bold strokes: Invitation to the Martial Arts Conference of the Nine Southeastern States.

After inspecting the contents, Chen Xian first picked up the piece of jade. It felt warm and smooth in his palm, a faint heat circulating through his hand.

Closing his eyes, he concentrated. The spiritual energy contained within this jade far surpassed that of the jade ring he had once chanced upon in the flower and bird market.

Within his mind, the spirit worm quivered with anticipation, eager to devour the jade’s energy.

But Chen Xian would not allow it—he had important plans for this jade.

“A true treasure,” Chen Xian could not help but exclaim in admiration.

This piece of jade was perfectly suited as the core of a small Spirit Gathering Array. If it were to be auctioned and fell into the hands of a true connoisseur, it could easily fetch over a hundred million, and was a rare, almost unattainable item.

He wondered where the Ma family patriarch had acquired it.

Ma Tian had followed him to the chest, and now looked at the jade in Chen Xian’s hands with eyes shining bright. Having some expertise in jade and antiques, he could tell at a glance it was extraordinary.

“Do you know where your patriarch obtained this piece of jade?” Chen Xian asked, hoping to trace its origins and perhaps find more such spirit-infused jade. If he found two more, he would have enough to complete the array.

But Ma Tian shook his head. “Master Chen, this is my first time seeing this jade as well. I do not know its origins.”

Seeing that Ma Tian truly did not know, Chen Xian did not press further. He casually picked up several of the wild ginseng and lingzhi.

“Three wild ginseng roots, five hundred years old; five lingzhi mushrooms, four hundred years old!” Ma Tian exclaimed enviously, recognizing their age at a glance.

Chen Xian nodded. “Wild ginseng and lingzhi of such age are truly rare.”

He returned the jade, ginseng, and lingzhi to the chest and picked up the gilded invitation.

“Ma Tian, do you know the origin of this invitation?” Chen Xian asked, holding it up.

“I do, Master Chen.”

“Tell me in detail,” Chen Xian said, intrigued.

“Yes, Master Chen,” Ma Tian replied, pausing to organize his thoughts before continuing, “The Martial Arts Conference of the Nine Southeastern States is a major event organized every five years by the martial arts circles of the nine states in Southeast Hualong Federation: Rongzhou, Baizhou, H State, and the others.

“This year’s conference is led by the Di family of Rongzhou, the Bai family of Baizhou, and the Mu family of H State—three martial arts clans, each with a grandmaster at the helm.

“At every conference, a new alliance leader is chosen. With your strength, Master Chen, you could vie for that position.”

Chen Xian’s interest was piqued. “What advantages are there to becoming the leader of the martial alliance in the nine southeastern states?”

“If you become alliance leader, the rewards are immense. You can redraw the territory divisions of the nine southeastern states, set new rules, and command the martial artists of the region. The Ma family under your control would rise to glory and join the ranks of the top martial clans in the southeast.

“At present, there are only three such top clans: the Di family of Rongzhou, the Bai family of Baizhou, and the Mu family of H State. Each controls trillions in assets and any shift in their power would shake the entire martial world of the southeast,” Ma Tian said animatedly.

These revelations stirred Chen Xian’s blood. To quickly advance his cultivation and break through to the next realm—the Spirit Void stage—he needed vast wealth and resources.

If he could become the martial alliance leader of the nine southeastern states, command the region’s martial artists, then resources would come easily, and his advancement would be within reach.

“I must become the leader of this alliance!” Chen Xian clenched his fists, resolving inwardly.