Chapter 492: New Year’s Greeting

“Happy New Year, Elder Xu!”

"Happy New Year, happy New Year! Are these your juniors? When you reach the Taichu Empire, let me host them at my manor!"

"Of course, I hope Elder Xu will take care of us a lot in the future."

The cultivators on the ship celebrated the New Year, and the smiles on their faces were sincere. Most of these cultivators had families and held various purposes as they headed to the Taichu Empire, harboring some expectations for the unknown journey ahead.

"Grandpa... look quickly, it's that gentleman!"

Elder Xu was talking with someone when he heard that, and he was slightly surprised. He followed his grandson's line of sight and looked over. With one glance, a flash of shock crossed his eyes.

Elder Xu’s son and daughter-in-law were also secretly alarmed. Since that day, they had quietly inquired about news regarding Chen Sheng. Although they didn't know if Chen Sheng was alive or dead, they were sure that he hadn't boarded the ship. None of his subordinates were on the ship either. It was clear something happened.

For the Xu Family, that was undoubtedly a great thing, which was why they were so happy today. After all, the heavy shackles around their hands had been removed. And now, they had the chance to meet the senior who had removed those shackles for them.

It was evident that this person had the same destination as them. After exchanging a few words with his old friends, Elder Xu hurriedly chased after Fang Chen.

Elder Xu caught up quickly and respectfully called out. "Sir, Sir...!"

Fang Chen stopped and gave a faint smile. “It’s you. Are you also going to the Taichu Empire?”

"It’s all thanks to you that we are able to return to the Taichu Empire," Elder Xu said quickly.

It was only then that Fang Chen understood that this family had been forced to the brink by Chen Sheng, and they didn't even dare to return to the Taichu Empire because Chen Sheng knew where they stayed. Before meeting Fang Chen, they had been stranded in that port for a long time. It was only after that incident that they dared to board the ship again.

Fang Chen nodded softly. "Is there anything you need? I'm going to the Dragon Soaring Pavilion."

Elder Xu quickly replied, "In that case, I won't disturb you any longer."

After Fang Chen took a few steps, Elder Xu mustered his courage and clasped his fist. "Sir, if you have nothing else tonight, could you join us for a New Year's Eve dinner?"

Fang Chen was slightly surprised. "New Year's Eve dinner?"

"Yes." Elder Xu's eyes were hopeful.

Fang Chen smiled. "Let's see."

After that, he turned around and left.

Elder Xu sighed inwardly. How could such an existence accept his invitation easily? But he also harbored a glimmer of hope. This person scared even Chen Sheng, so his methods must be extraordinary. If they could establish a relationship with him, it would be a great opportunity for the Xu Family.

Elder Xu's son and daughter-in-law walked over. "Dad, is that him?"

Elder Xu nodded lightly. "It's him."

The young couple was pleasantly surprised. "Dad, this gentleman is our benefactor. We should repay him."

"How do we repay him? After paying the fare for the ship ride, how much are we left with?" Elder Xu chuckled self-deprecatingly. "With the skills of this gentleman, he wouldn't even spare a glance at our peanuts."

At this point, he glanced at his family's younger generation and suddenly said, "Later, all of you come with me to the entrance of the Dragon Soaring Pavilion. It's the New Year and we should all pay our respects to the gentleman."

***

At the Dragon Soaring Pavilion, Che Yuxuan was visibly shocked when he saw Fang Chen.

Fang Chen smiled. "Brother Che, why the surprise?"

Che Yuxuan looked puzzled. "I heard that over a year ago, you killed several troublesome fellows. Didn't they cause trouble for you?"

Fang Chen chuckled. "No. I guess they didn't dare to make a move on the ship. After all, they would have to pay a fine. I spent five thousand low-grade spirit stones to deal with five troublesome fellows."

"You're so generous, Brother Xia. If it were me, I'd rather jump into the sea than pay such a sum of spirit stones." Che Yuxuan admired. He then asked with anticipation, "Last time, the quality of the True Fire Talisman you sold me was excellent. They were completely sold out six months ago. Do you have more to sell again?"

Fang Chen nodded. "Three hundred True Fire Talismans. Can your place handle it?"

"Th-three hundred!" Che Yuxuan was shocked, and his scalp tingled. He quickly calculated the price in his mind and couldn't help but gasp for air. This was a deal worth a hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones! The profits hidden within were even more astonishing. It might take the entire shipping route five years to earn four or five times this amount at the Dragon Soaring Pavilion.

“Brother Xia, you haven't spent over a hundred years on talisman crafting, have you?" Che Yuxuan looked puzzled. "How many True Fire Talismans do you have left? Why not sell them all at once? It's better than scaring me every time."

Fang Chen chuckled. "I've put all my eggs in this basket with these three hundred talismans. It's not like it took me over a hundred years. Maybe seven or eight decades."

Che Yuxuan nodded after a quick calculation. "Seven or eight decades? About three or four talismans a year... that's about right."

That made sense.

Crafting a talisman wasn't that simple; otherwise, everyone would be practicing talisman crafting instead of cultivating immortality.

The Dragon Soaring Pavilion was still quite rich as the large deal was quickly completed, and Fang Chen's savings had risen to two hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones. Fang Chen now had enough funds for the advancement of Little Sword.

Fang Chen asked casually, "Brother Che, your Dragon Soaring Pavilion seems to be doing quite well?"

Che Yuxuan beamed; a few more deals like this, and he could become the shopkeeper.

"The Dragon Soaring Pavilion's business is naturally large. The big boss behind it hails from Taichu and is a true Middle Three Realms cultivator. Brother Xia, you've heard of the Middle Three Realms, right? The common folk views us as immortals, but to us, Middle Three Realms cultivators are the immortals."

Che Yuxuan sighed. “It is rumored that cultivators in the Enlightenment Realm can use their divine soul to travel around the world. They have also mastered numerous immortal techniques which can be activated by their divine soul. It is hard to understand their might and methods."

Fang Chen nodded lightly. That was indeed the case.

The Primordial Immortal Eyes and the Radiant Divine Eyes could only be activated by the divine soul. When used by a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, they could only unleash less than one percent of its true power.

"Today is New Year's. Counting the time, it will be about three years before I reach Taichu. Are you planning to settle down there this time?" Che Yuxuan was somewhat curious. "I live in Taichu. If you have free time in the future, we can get together."

Fang Chen nodded with a smile. "Sure, sure."

Che Yuxuan escorted Fang Chen all the way to the entrance of the Dragon Soaring Pavilion, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then turned to leave.

Upon seeing Fang Chen, Elder Xu hurriedly led the young couple and his grandchildren to bow to Fang Chen. "Young Master, we've come to wish you a Happy New Year."

"Why be so polite?" said Fang Chen.

He smiled faintly and glanced at the lively faces, casually taking out some spirit stones and giving each person a red packet with one hundred low-grade spirit stones.

Everyone was stunned as they looked at Elder Xu in disbelief.

"Just accept it. It’s for good luck," Fang Chen said with a light smile.

Elder Xu was surprised, but he quickly said to his grandchildren, "Thank the young master."

The hands of the boys and girls trembled slightly as they accepted the red packets. "Thank you, Young Master!"

Each red packet contained a hundred low-grade spirit stones and that was incredibly generous. Back when the Xu Family was still prosperous, they had never received such large red envelopes for the New Year.

Elder Xu once again thickened his skin and invited Fang Chen to join them for the New Year's Eve dinner. Fang Chen thought for a moment and agreed, following them as they left.

Not far away, Elder Zhou, accompanied by a group of subordinates, watched Fang Chen thoughtfully.

"This guy is so generous. What's his background?"

"Don't you remember? He killed five people previously and paid a fine of five thousand..."

"Oh, it's him? I thought Chen Shen already killed him.... It seems like Chen Sheng didn't get the chance to deal with him before he left..."

Elder Zhou pondered for a moment and then smirked darkly. "This guy is so wealthy. What's his cultivation level?"

"He's registered as an early-stage Foundation Building Realm."

"His cultivation isn't that high..." Elder Zhou squinted slightly. "Let's find an opportunity to dig deeper into his background. With Chen Sheng gone, I'll pick up his business for him."