Chakra Sensing Realm. The realm where a human begins to merge with nature and learns to actively manipulate the energy. Where he starts overcoming the mortal boundaries and steps into the territory of the extraordinary.

Every Chakra, minor and major, detected in this realm determines the height he can reach. The higher the number discovered, the greater the potential of the cultivator.

When you think you have discovered all the Chakras possible, you can begin to join them. Like the game of connecting the dots, you need to string all the discovered Chakras with one single Energy Path.

Finding this Path is the ultimate aim of this realm. Hence, the Practitioners in the Chakra sensing Realm are venerated as the Path Finders.

One such Path Finder stood before Ikasa. Unlike Path Finder Zhi, he was not bound by any rule imposed by the Absolutes. He freely emanated his aura, exerting pressure on every mortal in his surroundings.

Suffocated by the pressure, Ikasa’s heartbeats accelerated. His annoyance and boner, both disappeared under the pressure. In fact, it had become hard for him to breathe with so much power concentrated on him.

Only then did Ikasa understand the power of a Chakra Sensing Expert, who could easily demolish any third-tier force by himself.

The demonstration of force did not last long. Just after a few seconds, Path Finder He retracted his aura. He was after all just a Path Finder, not a Sage who had opened his Chakras.

Taking a deep calming breath, Ikasa wiped the tiny droplet of sweat on his forehead. Though afraid for his life, he still went forward to receive the Path Finder with a smile on his lips.

“Respected Path Finder, please enter my humble abode.”

Ikasa’s confidence took the hostile visitors by surprise.

Xu Ran, who accompanied the Path Finder, did not dare to move even after He Ding had retracted his aura. And he was an ally! The aura was not even concentrated on him!

Yet, Ikasa could smile in the face of such power and even welcome them inside. His bravery impressed the two men. They became curious to know what cards he was hiding and where his confidence stemmed from.

Ikasa led the way for the two men and offered them seats in his spacious living room. The two men surreptitiously scanned the hall. The decor failed to impress the two who belonged to the uppermost sections of the Tier 2 Cities.

“If you find my arrangements lacking, please forgive me. This was the best I could do on such short notice.”

Ikasa sarcastically commented, pouring tea for the guests.

The Visitors didn’t know how to deal with Ikasa. On one hand, he was acting polite by pouring them tea, but his words were obviously sarcastic.

‘Should I just kill him and end things?’

He Ding thought, looking deeply at Ikasa as he accepted the tea he poured. He sniffed the tea and made sure there wasn’t any poison in it.  Then he took a sip.

“Bitter.”

With one comment he spat out the sip he had taken back into the cup and smashed the cup on the floor. He looked at Ikasa provocatively to see how he would react.

Ikasa sipped from his cup calmly, smiling at the old man’s provocation.

‘Just you wait darn old coot, that is not the only bitter thing you will taste this afternoon.’

As if entirely by accident, Ikasa took out the agreement ensuring his safety, and placed it on the table. The letters were large enough that any person could read them without picking up the document.

He Ding’s attention was naturally attracted to the piece of paper. Curiously, he read through the content. Immediately, his face sank.

He thanked his lucky stars for not directly attacking the young man sitting before him. Had Ikasa died, the Zhen Family would not have spared his He Family. His posture straightened and he treated Ikasa as he would treat an important junior.

Xu Ran also finished reading the document and threw Ikasa an admiring gaze. To be able to draw the attention of the Zhen Family, the rulers of the Deciduous County, this young man indeed was special.

He watched curiously to see what would be Ikasa’s next move.

“Path Finder… He…?”

Ikasa asked, probing the surname of the Path Finder and thus his origin. When he received the nod from the older gentleman, he continued.

“The He Family and I are in the same business. But that does not mean that we have to be enemies.”

“Oh?”

Ikasa’s calm statement caused He Ding to cock his eyebrows. He was intrigued by what Ikasa had to say. He looked at Ikasa with interest waiting for him to elaborate on his proposal.

“My martial techniques are superior to the He Family’s in every possible way. They are of a better grade, cheaper, and more convenient for people to use.”

Si!

Xu Ran drew in a cold breath. He looked at Path Finder He. The middle-aged man’s lips had thinned and his eyes were narrowed. He barely suppressed his aura from flaring up.

“Young man, you should show some humility.”

Xu Ran warned Ikasa, seeing the Path Finder He ready to blow up. Acting in accordance with his advice, Ikasa immediately put on a concerned look.

“Did I speak wrongly, Senior? I am only speaking from my experience in Sal City and Birch City. Does the He Family sell better cultivation techniques in other Cities?”

Xu Ran’s lips twitched looking at Ikasa’s earnest acting.

‘This is not what I meant! Spare the Path Finder some dignity will you?’

He thought, sneaking a glance at the Path Finder sitting beside him. Seeing He Ding on the verge of exploding, he slowly moved away from him.

“Don’t be too arrogant, Ikasa! Just because you have captured the markets of two Tier-3 Cities, does not mean your manuals will succeed everywhere else.”

He Ding thundered, releasing a trace of his aura. He could not sit idly and hear Ikasa insult his Family’s business.

“Path Finder He, I am speaking the truth. I’ll ask this again, does the He Family have better Cultivation techniques for sale? Can they compete against my manuals?”

His questions shut the Path Finder up. He had no suitable reply. The best cultivation techniques sold by the He Family barely reached the Mid Grade.

They only sold this technique in the tier 2 and above cities for an exorbitant price of 300 Gold!

In this world, where cultivation was the only means to advance in status and society, Cultivation Manuals were closely guarded secrets of Clans, Families, and Sects.

For Commoners and many nouveau riche, there were only two options to obtain cultivation methods. They could either brave the danger of ruin exploration in the search for a suitable Cultivation Manual or buy from the store.

Most of the commoners were too afraid to explore. Even if some were willing, they did not find much success. Hence, they were left with no choice but to choose from the limited options offered by the Stores.

Preying on their helplessness and lack of choice, the He Family had earned a great sum by peddling the lowest quality of techniques for high prices.

It was not like He Family faced no competition. It’s just that the competition was usually not much better in any aspect. The He’s would then lower their prices or use brute strength to wipe out their rivals, securing a monopoly over the Cultivation manual market of the County.

Until Ikasa’s emergence.

Who would’ve thought some nut-job would offer High-Grade Cultivation manuals for sale to Commoners? Who knew he would have mastered the art of Spiritual Imprints that let people learn his techniques instantly?

No one! At least no one in the He Family had foreseen this scenario.

Path Finder He knew he couldn’t win on the merits of the cultivation methods. So he went for the tried and tested brute force.

Sneering, Path Finder He looked down on Ikasa.

“The agreement only says we cannot touch you or your people. What about your customers? If no one can enter your shop, no matter how good your manuals are, how will they sell?”

Ikasa frowned at the threat. He pursed his lips and glowered at the standing Path Finder.

“I have been playing nice because I want to cooperate with the He Family. It seems I have chosen the wrong person to talk to.”

He spoke with a steely edge to his voice. Ikasa turned his attention to Xu Ran who seemed like a merchant himself.

“Are all people in the He family like this?”

He asked, pointing his thumb to the Path Finder He. Though he did not use any derogatory words, his tone itself was insulting enough.

Xu Ran, petrified under the gaze of He Ding, cursed Ikasa for putting him on the spot. He tried to word his answer as diplomatically as possible as he sensed a huge business opportunity from Ikasa.

“I- I usually deal with the Fourth Elder. Under his command, my cooperation with them has been smooth.”

He said, eyeing the Path Finder with fear. He hoped his answer satisfied both the parties and he would not be attacked.

“Then relay my words to the Fourth Elder. Sooner or later, my manuals will capture the entirety of the County’s markets. I am offering the He’s a chance to be my partners. I will provide the Manuals, they should take care of logistics.”

Ikasa stated his reason for tolerating them. He was done playing with the dumb fool and his companion. He had better things to do than talk to a musclehead who could not differentiate between a hand offered for shaking and a hand raised to slap his face.

Ending his meeting, Ikasa stood up to walk the guests out. Suddenly, he felt massive pressure slam into him.

“How dare you dictate terms to the He Family?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep