After leaving the Ye family estate, Shan Hu was not in a hurry to return to the Qin family.
The Capital, this ancient and prosperous metropolis, was now in his eyes merely an uncarved jade waiting for the sculptor's touch.
"Wan'er, how do you feel?" Shan Hu's voice was calm, carrying the gentleness of a soft breeze.
Qin Wan'er walked beside him, the night wind fluttering her simple clothes. She looked up at Shan Hu's steady profile, her eyes full of admiration and a hint of excitement.
"Master's power is invincible. With a single word, a single look, you made the Capital's Heavenly Prodigy willingly submit. Wan'er... I have never felt so secure."
Qin Wan'er clearly felt Shan Hu's protection. When Ye Qingcheng had arrogantly mocked her about the broken engagement, Shan Hu's forceful intervention not only avenged her but also directly gave her the authority to control the Ye family.
"Willingly submit? She was merely constrained by fate and power," Shan Hu shook his head, stating plainly. "Ye Qingcheng is arrogant, but beneath that arrogance lies the fear of her own limited potential. I offered her hope, and she will naturally become the best tool."
"In the cultivation world, we speak of cause and effect. Your Dual Cultivation with Ye Qingcheng's supreme Yin True Essence will boost your speed far beyond expectation. At the same time, you must keep your promise—use your Dao Heart to influence and guide her."
Qin Wan'er's expression was serious, and she replied earnestly, "Wan'er understands, Master. I will not fail you and will cultivate diligently."
The two moved through the ancient alleys of the Capital, the moonlight stretching their shadows long.
"The Capital's Ye family, while possessing deep foundations, is merely a wealthy family in the mundane world. Your main task, after taking control, is to provide us with the necessary cultivation resources and intelligence," Shan Hu began to outline his plan.
"For resources, the Ye family's main business is medicinal herb import/export and antique collection. The former can provide me with channels to gather heavenly treasures; the latter might conceal clues or artifacts left behind by ancient cultivators."
"For intelligence, worldly powers are best suited to accessing secrets within the martial arts and Xuanmen (Mystical Gate) circles. I want you to collect all records and rumors concerning 'cultivators,' 'spiritual lands,' and 'exotic artifacts' within the Capital and across Great China, and compile them."
Qin Wan'er listened carefully, committing every detail to memory.
"Master, how should I handle the Ye family's trivial affairs and distant branches?" Qin Wan'er asked. She knew the Ye family was deeply rooted and gaining complete control would be challenging.
"Leave the trivial matters to Ye Qingyun. As for the side branches..." Shan Hu smiled faintly, a cold glint in his eyes. "Anyone who refuses to follow your command, show no mercy; eliminate them directly. Remember, you represent the Immortal Emperor's authority in the Capital. There is no need for compromise, only absolute obedience."
Qin Wan'er felt a chill, nodding heavily. "Wan'er remembers."
The two returned to the Qin family late at night.
Shan Hu went straight to the study and handed Qin Wan'er a blank jade slip.
"This contains the subsequent layers of the Ice Heart Technique, as well as the formula, refining methods, and list of spiritual herbs required for the Foundation Establishment Pill needed during the Qi Condensation Stage."
"You will begin closed-door cultivation tomorrow, quickly assimilating the Dual Cultivation True Formula I imparted to you. Simultaneously, hand this list to Ye Qingyun and order him to prepare the materials as fast as possible. You must also begin learning alchemy."
Qin Wan'er gazed at the warm jade slip in her hands, immensely excited. The Foundation Establishment Pill formula! That was something even the Capital's top aristocratic families considered a family treasure, yet her Master handed it over so easily!
"Master, are you... will you personally refine the pills?" Qin Wan'er asked cautiously.
Shan Hu shook his head, his gaze profound. "I will not personally refine pills for others in this life. You are to shoulder my legacy in the Dao of Alchemy from now on. Alchemy, too, is cultivation; it tempers the character and solidifies the realm."
"Yes, Master!" Qin Wan'er took the jade slip with both hands, feeling its weight—as if she had accepted a thousand-catty responsibility.
After giving all instructions, Shan Hu returned to his room and sat down cross-legged.
"The Capital is more interesting than I thought," he murmured to himself.
During the True Essence clash with Ye Qingcheng, he had captured an unusual spiritual energy fluctuation. That fluctuation did not originate from Ye Qingcheng herself but from somewhere deep underground beneath the Ye family's ancient estate.
"How intriguing. The Capital indeed holds remnants or formations left by ancient cultivators. Perhaps the array foundations I seek are deep beneath the ground here."
Shan Hu closed his eyes. His Divine Sense instantly left his body, extending like invisible threads, penetrating the heavy surface toward the source of the fluctuation.
What he sought was not merely worldly money and contacts, but the spiritual veins and treasures that would help him rebuild his foundation as an Immortal Emperor!