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Tan Shuchang inquired the other party for news and then learned that the situation in Chu State was the same as before during the days he was away in Vast Cold State.

This took him by surprise.

Because this meant that the Son of the Heavenly Mandate from the Desolate Sword Mountain had not made any moves during these days.

After all, as the key figure of such a righteous plan, wherever he went, he should have attracted a convergence of storms. Even the smallest incident could, through his investigation, turn into a significant matter.

"So, has Long Zhangyuan been in seclusion for intense cultivation these past few days? No, based on the arrangements of the Desolate Sword Mountain and their level of regard for him, it is likely that Long Zhangyuan has gained some form of opportunity or fortune at this time," he murmured.

It was then that Tan Shuchang thought of the "Wild Dog Sword."

The opportunities and fortunes set aside for the Son of the Heavenly Mandate undoubtedly were not limited to just that one.

Immediately after, having bid farewell to Zhan Wuqing, also known as the adult period Water Marsh Thunder Jiao, Tan Shuchang continued his journey soaring on a rainbow of rosy clouds. Cultivators below a certain rank and half a Jiazi of cultivation often needed the "Water Spirit" for travel, but this was naturally not the case for Tan Shuchang.

With the magic artifact "Heavenly Dragon Hairpin" and sixty-three years of cultivation, Tan Shuchang could travel for days and nights on end, let alone ten days to half a month, without needing any rest.

In this way, after more than half a month, a travel-worn Tan Shuchang finally returned to Qitian Pavilion.

The Water Marsh Thunder Jiao had addressed him as Commander Sir, and since he had only secretly eliminated Zhao Huaiji, it was clear he could return to Qitian Pavilion without issue.

Although he had submitted a letter of resignation to Emperor Yi earlier, resigning from an official position was not the same as quitting a job. Resigning from an official post often involved layers of true and false intentions, making the reality difficult to discern.

Emperor Yi, however, in sending the "Heavenly Dragon Hairpin" with an eunuch, did not mention the resignation at all, making his intentions quite clear.

Thus, upon his return, he went to inquire about the Ning family's news in West State City.

Having returned to Qitian Pavilion, information was readily accessible. Tan Shuchang merely asked a pavilion officer to handle the request, and in less than a stick of incense worth of time, someone delivered a pile of documents concerning the topic.

Tan Shuchang glanced at them but did not continue reading because written at the top of these documents was – West State City's three major families: Chu, Zhou, Ning.

Prior to this, West State City had been dominated by a single family.

There was little doubt that the four characters, "exclusive dominion," written in Tan Shuchang's resignation letter had struck a chord with Emperor Yi, an indecisive yet ruthless ruler.

The destruction of the Tan family ultimately boiled down to those four words, "exclusive dominion."

And the Ning family survived, partly because they were only a local family and not like the Tan family that spanned thirteen states while fostering three thousand cultivators as their guests; and partly because the Ning family indeed knew how to cultivate relationships.

At Tianjian Mansion of Chu State, one of the top ten sword cultivators, the Watch Moon Sage, along with the Ning family's past gifts and tributes, resulted in West State City gaining two more influential families capable of competing with the Ning family.

Tan Shuchang shook his head slightly; true to form for Emperor Yi, an indecisive yet ruthlessly harsh ruler, his actions were all too familiar.

At that moment, a pavilion officer outside the Hall of Commanders reported, "Commander Sir, the head of the Magical Treasure Pavilion has sent some artifact refining materials, saying they are the ones you previously requested."

Tan Shuchang was somewhat surprised upon hearing this, as he remembered the Magical Treasure Pavilion had previously refused.

But with a moment's thought, he understood the reason.

"So it's not that they couldn't provide credit; they just thought before that I couldn't defeat Long Zhangyuan..." Tan Shuchang chuckled, then instructed, "Tell them to replace the materials with a better batch and to send over an artifact refiner who is adept at refining. With that, I will let bygones be bygones."

He had originally thought he would need to put in considerable effort to gather materials to craft a daily-use magic artifact, but with a fat rat delivering itself to his doorstep, why wouldn't he take the opportunity to skim off a layer for himself?

The fact that the refining materials were sent over meant more than just the possibility of credit.

Because one could accrue debt in this area, there was no doubt that it represented substantial opportunities to make a profit, and that would be far easier than painstakingly trying to embezzle funds.

The officer immediately set to work, and Tan Shuchang didn't have to wait long before the new principal officer of the Magical Treasure Pavilion complied with Tan Shuchang's request and delivered the improved artifact refining materials.

"Sir Tan, I'm not sure what kind of artifact refiner you're looking for? There are those proficient in the force-controlling Magic Artifacts and those who specialize in the fate-controlling Magic Artifacts, as well as those who are adept in both..." the new principal officer of the Magical Treasure Pavilion asked cautiously.

After all, his predecessor had met his end right here.

"I wish to craft a Magic Artifact convenient for taking notes," Tan Shuchang specified his request.

Upon hearing this, the new principal officer of the Magical Treasure Pavilion thought for a moment, then replied, "An artifact for note-taking would require a communicative Magic Artifact. The artifact refiners capable of crafting such an artifact, aside from the Wu family, could be counted on one hand and were of mysterious whereabouts.

Even we at Qitian Pavilion cannot pinpoint their exact location. However, fortunately, there happened to be one who had stayed in Chu State recently. I will send someone to seek out this master immediately!"

After speaking and seeing that Tan Shuchang didn't voice any objections but simply looked at him, the principal officer of the Magical Treasure Pavilion understood and excused himself.

Because he felt confident he hadn't guessed wrong.

Qitian Pavilion, as a special institution of the Zi Xuan Dynasty, might not be known for its martial prowess, but in other respects, its capabilities were beyond question. The order had just been given and, in merely two hours, word came that the Artifact Refiner was currently a guest at the Dong family's residence.

Therefore, the new principal officer of the Magical Treasure Pavilion immediately used the "Water Spirit" to rush to the Dong family in Chu State to pay a visit.

However, the Dong family wasn't an easy one to visit.

Heavenly Sword Mansion was a family-run Immortal Sect, and the Dong family's Head was its patriarch. Thus, the new principal officer of the Magical Treasure Pavilion had to wait for almost half a day before he was able to meet with Young Master Jian.

It was understood that it would be impossible to meet with the patriarch, and the fact that Young Master Jian had granted him an audience made the new principal officer feel surprisingly honored.

Moments later, after Young Master Jian learned of the principal officer's intent, he couldn't help but be taken aback.

A twelfth-ranked officer from Qitian Pavilion had made a special trip to Chu State, just to invite an artifact refiner to craft a note-taking Magic Artifact.

But suddenly, Young Master Jian realized something.

"Who requires this artifact?" Young Master Jian asked naturally.

"Sir Tan."

"Is it that Commander Sir Tan who is now known throughout the land?" Young Master Jian inquired again as his gaze imperceptibly shifted.

Upon hearing this, the new principal officer of the Magical Treasure Pavilion couldn't help but have an odd expression, well aware of exactly how this fame had spread throughout the land.

Not because of the Son of the Heavenly Mandate from the disciple-less mountain, but because of the follow-up editions to Sir Tan's cultivation diaries...

Having read those editions, he knew what had happened to the missing artifact in the Magical Treasure Pavilion, but he wasn't about to inquire further.

After all, the last one who did so was left with nothing but his torso and limbs.

"Indeed!" the new principal officer nodded in confirmation.

"Alright, I will speak on your behalf and ensure that Pure Yang Master accompany you," Young Master Jian said with a smile. Pure Yang Master was indeed the artifact refiner capable of crafting communicative Magic Artifacts.

Aside from the Wu family, there were less than five such individuals still active in the entire Jiawu Realm.

"Many thanks, Young Master Jian!" The new principal officer showed evident delight, while inwardly he marveled that Young Master Jian was truly a man who detested evil and loved benevolence.

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