C59 Where Did This Bumpkin Come From?

Chu Yan's excitement at the prospect of stumbling upon a treasure was palpable, yet he was well aware that to truly harness the power of such a find, his body had to meet certain criteria.

"The four-star step technique doesn't seem to require a specific cultivation level, but it demands exceptional resilience and strength from the body—far beyond that of an ordinary person."

After pondering for a moment, Chu Yan couldn't help but smile bitterly. "Refining my body is a must. It looks like I can't avoid the hurdle of blood essence after all."

However, Chu Yan's financial situation had improved significantly compared to the time when he didn't have a single Spirit Money to his name. He had pilfered six hundred Spirit Money from members of the Lin family, and Lin Chongtian had generously rewarded him with an additional two thousand. Just two days prior, he had crafted several new Heavy Equipment Inscription Patterns, which could fetch a few thousand Spirit Money on their own. With such funds, he could afford several bottles of blood essence.

Since relocating to the small courtyard once owned by Lin Liqiang, Chu Yan had been provided with three lavish meals a day by the Lin family, a considerable upgrade from before. Yet, these meals were still insufficient to satisfy the hunger induced by his practice of the Swallowing Whale Spirit Hunting Art. Replenishing his blood essence was non-negotiable.

With the Seven Stars Chaotic Wind Step reaching a bottleneck, Chu Yan didn't bury himself in further study. Instead, he set out early to the Wan Hai Chamber of Commerce, a route he knew well, intending to sell his Heavy Equipment Inscription Patterns. He also planned to discreetly inquire about Master Li He's intentions, as he was skeptical of the saying, "Unwarranted kindness often conceals malicious intent." Chu Yan had no illusions that a single inscription would be enough to win over an inscription master.

Upon arriving at the inscription booth, Chu Yan was surprised not to find the portly shopkeeper, Zhao Shude. In his place was a young man dressed in white, who appeared to be around Chu Yan's age, with a stooped attendant by his side, likely the youth's servant.

Having familiarized himself with Evergreen Town, Chu Yan knew that families like the Lins, boasting thousands of members, numbered six or seven, with even more smaller clans. The young man in white was clearly a scion of one such family, and his presence at the Wan Hai Chamber of Commerce to shop for inscriptions was nothing out of the ordinary.

Chu Yan merely swept a glance at the other person and then promptly disregarded him.

However, the youth in white, upon noticing Chu Yan, revealed a fleeting look of disdain in his eyes.

Assessing the current situation, Chu Yan surmised that Zhao Shude had likely gone to the back hall to fetch the Heavy Equipment Inscription Pattern the young man required. He was expected to return shortly, so Chu Yan felt no urgency and casually browsed the stall.

Before he knew it, he found himself standing next to the white-clothed youth.

The youth was absorbed in examining an inscription pattern when, out of the blue, a hand reached out, snatching it up. Upon looking up and realizing it was Chu Yan who had taken the inscription, his face instantly soured.

The white-clothed youth hadn't even opened his mouth when his servant sprang in front of Chu Yan, snarling and menacingly shouting, "Hey! What do you think you're doing? Put that inscription down, now!"

Chu Yan regarded him with a puzzled look. "It's not yours. What's the harm in me taking a look?"

"You dare to talk back?" The servant's eyes bulged, and he rolled up his sleeves in a flash. "I told you to put it down; my young master wants to look at it! Are you deaf? Where did you come from, you country bumpkin, daring to step foot into the Wan Hai Chamber of Commerce? Do you even have the means to buy anything here?"

Chu Yan's face turned stern. "Whether I can afford it or not is none of your business. And you, a mere servant, dare to speak to me as if you're my equal?"

Though the servant was young and fair-faced, being labeled a "butt seller" by Chu Yan enraged him. His eyes bulged with fury, teeth clenched as if he were ready to devour Chu Yan whole.

Chu Yan watched him with a cold, mocking smile.

He doubted the servant would dare to cause a scene inside the Wan Hai Chamber of Commerce. Not just any servant, but hardly anyone in Evergreen Town would dare to make a move here.

Besides, even if the servant did lash out, Chu Yan was far from intimidated. In fact, part of him was almost hoping the servant would lose his composure.

That way, he could legitimately claim another small fortune.

From the looks of it, the youth in white likely hailed from a family of considerable wealth.

At that moment, the young man in white gave a soft cough.

The servant quickly stepped back, eagerly ushering, "After you, Young Master."

The white-clad youth advanced, his gaze piercing with a hint of icy clarity, and fixed Chu Yan with a look. "Boy, which clan do you hail from that you don't recognize me?"

"Do you know who I am?" Chu Yan retorted with a cold huff.

Taken aback by the counter-question, the youth in white hesitated before admitting, "No, I don't."

"If you don't know me, why should I know you?" Chu Yan shot back sharply, "Is everyone in the world supposed to be your father, obligated to know your name?"

It took a moment for the white-clothed youth to catch on that Chu Yan was insulting him. His face quickly darkened with anger.

"You're done for!" The servant behind him chuckled and gestured dismissively, reveling in the moment, "You don't recognize our Young Master Bai Feiyu? You're in deep trouble now! You're really finished this time!"

The mention of "Bai Family" and "Bai Feiyu" made Chu Yan take note.

He was well aware of the Bai Clan.

If the Lin and Ye Families were among the top-tier second-rank families of Evergreen Town, then the Bai Family was one of the three titans of the town's clans!

The Bai Family was a veritable giant; in terms of sheer numbers, they were at least double the size of the Lin Family, with assets sprawling across the region surrounding Evergreen Town.

Yet, upon learning the other party hailed from the Bai Family, Chu Yan remained unflustered.

The reason was straightforward. If Bai Feiyu were a scion held in high esteem by his family, why would he arrive at the Wan Hai Chamber of Commerce with only a single servant in tow?

Now, having dropped the Bai Family name, Bai Feiyu and his servant seemed to assume that Chu Yan, like others, would be intimidated by the mere mention of their clan.

"Boy, by the sound of it, you don't seem to hold the Bai Clan in high regard?" Bai Feiyu sneered, his tone laden with condescension as he metaphorically threw down the gauntlet.

The servant was egging him on from the sidelines, "Kid, you should know that our Bai Family is a major client of the Wan Hai Chamber of Commerce, and Young Master Bai Feiyu is an esteemed guest there. Didn't you notice earlier? Shopkeeper Zhao himself came out to greet him. And now, he's off to the back hall to select Heavy Equipment Inscription Patterns at Young Master Feiyu's behest."

Arms folded, the servant wore a smug look, as if receiving personal attention from the shopkeeper was a badge of supreme honor.

Meanwhile, Bai Feiyu was tilting his head back so far, it was as if he was sizing people up with his nostrils, his pride making him resemble a preening, multicolored rooster.

It was at this moment that the portly Shopkeeper Zhao emerged from the back hall.

Bai Feiyu's eyes sparkled with recognition. Leaning casually on the railing before him, he remarked coolly, "Shopkeeper Zhao, perhaps it's time the Wan Hai Chamber of Commerce considered tightening its entry requirements. This isn't a place for just any Tom, Dick, or Harry to wander into."