Lingnan.
Ten days later, the train carrying Shan Hu finally arrived in the city, renowned as the "Capital of the South" in Huaxia's southern region.
Unlike the solemn, ancient grandeur of the Capital, Lingnan felt vibrant, open, and full of commercial energy. The air was thick with the humid, characteristic floral scent of the south and the restlessness of the tropical climate.
Shan Hu stepped out of the station and took a deep breath.
"Just as expected."
The corners of his lips curved up, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
In his previous life, Lingnan was known as the "Southern Cultivation Core Zone." Its geographical environment was uniquely blessed, featuring the convergence of several small spiritual veins, thus making the spiritual energy concentration far surpass that of Longcheng and the Capital.
Although the global spiritual energy recovery had not yet fully erupted, the subterranean spiritual veins of Lingnan were already beginning to slowly awaken, and the faint spiritual energy they released was enough to nourish cultivators in the area.
"The spiritual energy here is at least thirty percent denser than the Capital. If I can find the core nodes of the spiritual veins and set up a large Spirit Gathering Array, the recovery speed of my Divine Soul will significantly increase."
Shan Hu did not rush to find lodging. Instead, he immediately activated the Xuan Tian Dao Inquiry Art, enveloping the entire city with his divine sense.
He needed to find two targets: first, a hidden and spiritually abundant place for cultivation; and second, the most powerful family in Lingnan's secular world, best suited to be his worldly representative.
The secular world of Lingnan differed from the Capital. It lacked deeply entrenched top-tier gentry families and consisted more of rising business tycoons who were well-connected and commanded vast wealth and logistical networks.
Shan Hu's divine sense swept over the densely packed high-rises, traversing the bustling streets and noisy crowds.
Soon, he locked onto two places.
The first target was an inconspicuous small mountain on the outskirts of Lingnan City.
The mountain was called "Dragon-Tiger Mountain," a grand name, yet it was unmarked on any map, designated as an undeveloped area. Shan Hu's divine sense clearly perceived a spiritual energy fluctuation deep underground that was much stronger than anywhere else in Lingnan—the outlet of a branch of one of the spiritual veins.
"Dragon-Tiger Mountain... looks like a place of excellent Feng Shui."
The second target was an enormously influential family that dominated Lingnan's business world—the Su family.
The Su family patriarch, Su Zhentian, was a self-made man. He was decisive and controlled most of the import and export trade in the South China region. More importantly, the Su family maintained a strict household tradition, enjoyed a good reputation in the secular world, and generations had revered martial arts, with many retired martial artists serving as family guards.
"The Su family is better suited to be my 'treasury' and 'logistics network' than the Ye family," Shan Hu concluded in his mind.
He raised his hand and hailed a taxi, giving an address: Lingnan's most exclusive private club—the Nine Dragons Club.
The Nine Dragons Club was the nexus of power for Lingnan's high society, and it was rumored that Su Zhentian was hosting an important business partner there tonight.
Lingnan, Nine Dragons Club.
The Nine Dragons Club was situated on the top floor of a building overlooking the entire city. Its decor was utterly lavish, a perfect blend of classical and modern elements, showcasing wealth and taste everywhere.
Shan Hu, dressed in casual clothes, stood at the entrance of the club, attracting many side-glances.
He had no invitation, but merely glanced at the security guard who blocked him.
The security guard instantly felt his mind go blank, as if struck by some invisible force. His body rigidly moved aside, clearing the path. It wasn't until Shan Hu's figure disappeared into the elevator entrance that he broke out in a cold sweat.
Shan Hu walked straight to the luxurious banquet hall on the top floor.
Inside the hall, well-dressed guests mingled, clinking glasses.
Su Zhentian, the business godfather nearing sixty, with a majestic but energetic face, was chatting and laughing with several heavyweights.
"Elder Su, we wish you a triumphant success in this collaboration!" a man in a business suit raised his glass in congratulation.
Su Zhentian laughed heartily, about to raise his glass in response.
Just then, a strange silence suddenly fell over the entrance to the banquet hall.
Everyone's attention was drawn to it.
A young man in black casual wear walked into the private space, which should have required strict vetting to enter, with tranquil steps.
He possessed neither the refined air of the Capital's elite nor the vulgarity of Lingnan's merchants, yet he carried an indescribable, transcendent presence, as if he were the master of this world.
Su Zhentian frowned and signaled to his assistant beside him.
The assistant immediately understood and quickly walked towards Shan Hu, asking in a low voice, "Sir, do you have an appointment? This is a private banquet."
Shan Hu did not stop walking. His eyes cut directly through the crowd, locking onto Su Zhentian.
He raised his hand and gently tapped his index finger in the air.
Buzz—
No one heard a sound, but many martial artists present felt a sharp pain in their eardrums, and an invisible pressure surged like a tide.
The high-stemmed glass in the hand of the middle-aged man closest to Su Zhentian, who was about to toast, suddenly let out a crack and then disintegrated into powder, scattering onto his stiffened palm.
The entire hall erupted in an uproar; everyone looked at the young man in horror.
Su Zhentian's eyes narrowed sharply. Having practiced martial arts for years, his perception of danger far exceeded that of ordinary people. He knew this was absolutely not a magic trick, but a power transcending the secular world!
He put down his wine glass, motioned for his assistant to step back, and stood up, cupping his fist toward Shan Hu, speaking in a deep voice:
"May I ask, esteemed Master, the purpose of your unannounced visit to the Nine Dragons Club tonight?"
Shan Hu revealed a half-smile, half-not expression, his voice echoing clearly throughout the hall:
"I came to bestow a great fortune upon the Su family, and also to... command you, Su Zhentian, to pledge allegiance to me."