The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"Uncle Yunxun, it seems there aren't any alchemy furnaces for sale in this cultivation market," Yun Yanshuang said as she accompanied Yun Yunxun through the bustling streets of the market.

They had spent quite some time browsing but found no suitable alchemy furnaces. Most of those available were of poor quality, with surfaces corroded by rust or marred by cracks due to their age.

Purchasing such a furnace would severely impact the success rate and quality of refined pills.

"Let's keep looking. If we still can't find one, we'll have to think of another solution," Yun Yunxun replied, his brows furrowed in frustration.

"Actually, I could forge an alchemy furnace myself. But the clan doesn't have the necessary spirit ore for crafting one. Earlier, I checked some of the spirit ores being sold in the market, and none of them met the requirements for forging an alchemy furnace," Yun Yanshuang explained.

"Sigh! Let's see what we can find. If all else fails, we'll return to the clan and consult your eldest uncle. Perhaps he can find the spirit ore you need," Yun Yunxun said with a sigh, visibly disheartened.

Having the method to refine Breath Embryo Pills but lacking a suitable furnace was a source of deep frustration for him.

As they spoke, the pair entered another shop.

"Liyuan, look over there," Wang Lijiao whispered to his cousin as they browsed the shop.

Curious, Wang Liyuan followed his cousin's gaze toward the entrance and saw a young woman in a flowing blue immortal dress. She walked beside an older man as they were guided upstairs by the shop assistant.

The girl's delicate features, slender figure, and ethereal aura—enhanced by her status as a cultivator—captivated him.

Wang Liyuan considered himself well-acquainted with beauty; the women in his family, whether sisters or cousins, were all elegant and refined.

Yet compared to this girl, they seemed ordinary.

As she ascended the stairs, her graceful silhouette lingered in his mind, leaving him momentarily entranced.

"Liyuan, you don't have a fiancée yet, do you?" Wang Lijiao asked with a teasing smile, noticing his cousin's fixation on the girl.

"No, I don't," Wang Liyuan replied, snapping out of his daze and shaking his head with a self-deprecating chuckle.

"That girl is quite remarkable—stunningly beautiful and clearly a skilled cultivator. If she were to marry into our family, she would undoubtedly produce a prodigious heir for the Yulin Wang family," Wang Lijiao said thoughtfully.

"Come, let's head upstairs and meet her," he added with a grin, leading Wang Liyuan to the second floor.

"These are the three alchemy furnaces we have for sale. All are of excellent quality," the shop assistant said enthusiastically as he guided Yun Yanshuang and Yun Yunxun to a dusty row of shelves on the second floor.

Yun Yanshuang picked up one of the furnaces and carefully examined it. She quickly noticed a crack near the base, though it had been skillfully repaired to disguise the damage.

Her years of refining tools for the family had honed her sharp eyes, making it nearly impossible for such flaws to escape her notice.

"This furnace has a crack at the base, and judging by the repair marks, it seems to have been patched up quite recently," Yun Yanshuang said, looking at the shop assistant.

"Uh…" The shop assistant's face turned awkward. He hadn't expected the young woman to spot the flaw so quickly.

"Would you like to check the other two furnaces?" he asked hastily, eager to salvage the sale.

Yun Yanshuang examined the other two furnaces one by one and discovered that they, too, had similar cracks that had been recently repaired. She placed them back on the shelf with a faint frown.

"All three furnaces have cracks. Buying them would be too risky for alchemy," she said calmly.

"Please, name your price! We can negotiate. I promise the cost won't be an issue," the shop assistant said desperately, unwilling to let such a large sale slip away.

Before Yun Yanshuang or Yun Yunxun could respond, a cheerful voice interrupted, "Cracked alchemy furnaces shouldn't be sold at all. If someone uses one and it explodes during refining, who will take responsibility?"

Turning toward the source of the voice, they saw a tall, handsome youth with a Qingfeng sword slung across his back. Beside him stood another similarly dressed young man.

Yun Yanshuang noticed that the youth before her possessed a cultivation level higher than her own.

Hearing Wang Lijiao's comment, the shop assistant was infuriated and wanted to retort. However, upon recognizing Wang Lijiao, his demeanor instantly turned ingratiating. "Ah, it's Young Master Lijiao! What brings you here today?"

Having worked in the shop for years, the shop assistant lived and breathed the cultivation market. Naturally, he knew of Wang Lijiao's background. As a talented cultivator from the Yulin Wang family and the overseer of their businesses in the market, Wang Lijiao commanded immense respect.

Even members of the three prominent families stationed at the market treated him with courtesy.

"That's enough. Step aside. And stop selling such dubious goods. These three alchemy furnaces have been collecting dust for who knows how long—yet you dare put them on display," Wang Lijiao said impatiently, waving the shop assistant away.

"Yes, yes! I won't disturb you further, Young Master Lijiao!"

The shop assistant bowed respectfully and hurried away.

"I am Wang Lijiao of the Yulin Wang family, and this is my younger brother, Wang Liyuan. May I know where you hail from?"

After dismissing the shop assistant, Wang Lijiao turned to Yun Yunxun and Yun Yanshuang, bowing politely with a smile.

"Yun Yunxun of the Yun Cang Yun Clan, and this is my niece, Yun Yanshuang," Yun Yunxun replied, bowing in return.

The Yulin Wang family disciples were not to be offended lightly.
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"Ah, the Yun Cang Yun Clan. I've heard much about you," Wang Lijiao said with a nod of acknowledgment.

His gaze then shifted to Yun Yanshuang. "Miss Yanshuang, your reputation precedes you. As the most talented spirit-root cultivator of the Yun Cang Yun Clan, your cultivation level already surpasses mine. Your remarkable talent commands great respect."

"You flatter me, Young Master Lijiao," Yun Yanshuang replied humbly.

"Elder Yunxun, I assume you and Miss Yanshuang are here in search of an alchemy furnace?" Wang Liyuan stepped forward, bowing slightly as he spoke.

"Indeed," Yun Yunxun said with a sigh. "But after searching the market for quite some time, we haven't found anything suitable."

"It's fortuitous, then. The Chuanyin Lu family is hosting an auction today. I believe you might find an alchemy furnace to your liking there," Wang Liyuan suggested with a slight smile.

"An auction?"

Yun Yunxun was taken aback. He hadn't heard of this.

"Yes, the three prominent families organize it once a year. This year, it's the Chuanyin Lu family's turn to host," Wang Liyuan explained.

"But we don't have an invitation to enter," Yun Yunxun said hesitantly.

While the lack of an invitation was a concern, his greater worry was his limited supply of spirit stones. He feared they would attend only to leave empty-handed.

"No need to worry. My elder brother already has an invitation and has reserved a private booth. If you don't mind, you're welcome to join us," Wang Liyuan offered warmly.

"Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Liyuan, but my uncle and I will refrain from attending," Yun Yanshuang said sweetly, her smile causing Wang Liyuan to momentarily lose his composure.

"This… what a pity," Wang Liyuan muttered after regaining his composure, sighing in disappointment.

He had hoped to use the auction as an opportunity to get closer to Yun Yanshuang and her uncle.

"Apologies," Yun Yunxun said with an awkward smile, bowing in farewell before leaving with Yun Yanshuang.

"What do you think of her?"

As Wang Liyuan stood silently, watching Yun Yanshuang's departing figure, Wang Lijiao chuckled and asked, "Liyuan?"

"She's stunning, as beautiful as a celestial maiden. Her talent is extraordinary. I must marry her!" Wang Liyuan replied with a faint smile, his tone resolute.

"Well, the Yun Cang Yun Clan has ties with our Yulin Wang family. Perhaps we can ask the elders to negotiate an arrangement with the Yun Clan for you and Miss Yanshuang," Wang Lijiao suggested.

"Come on, let's head to the auction. If we're late, we won't get in."

"Earlier, that disciple from the Yulin Wang family seemed interested in you," Yun Yunxun remarked as they walked through the street.

"Uncle, you noticed?" Yun Yanshuang replied with a small smile.

"So, you noticed too?"

"From the moment we entered the shop, Wang Liyuan couldn't take his eyes off me."

"What do you think of him? Is he suitable?"

"Uncle, I have no interest in romantic matters. My only desire is to dedicate my life to protecting our family," Yun Yanshuang replied firmly.