CHAPTER 369: CHAPTER 369: NOT FOR SALE ANYMORE

Unlike the Zhang Family’s alchemy, the Old Dan King’s elixirs are famed for their potent ingredients and genuine quality.

In the beginning, the Old Ginseng used by the Old Dan King in Black City was all superb quality, over ten thousand years old.

Back then, the Secret Realms newly developed around Black City had old ginseng which was easier to find, so the materials used were really intense, all of them were genuine old stocks.

As the Secret Realms were continuously developed, various Heavenly and Earthly Treasures gradually became scarce, and over these hundred years, the Old Dan King’s materials have also become increasingly lacking.

From the initial ten-thousand-year-old ginseng to thousand-year-old ginseng, then to hundred-year-old ginseng, until in the end, they could only use a decade-old ginseng.

In modern times, most of the ingredients used in the Old Dan King’s Black City Old Dan are cultivated ginseng, and only a few custom-ordered Black City Old Dan utilize wild ginseng.

The age of the wild ginseng used depends on how you customize it, and the price varies.

For Black City Old Dan made from ten-thousand-year-old wild ginseng, even if you’re rich, you may not be able to get it.

Chen Guan remembered the story Zhu Hongzhi told him about Old Ginseng Mountain, which was in the Secret Realm that Duan Shulin mentioned.

Besides old ginseng, that Secret Realm also produced many Heavenly and Earthly Treasures famous in the Divine Land.

Chen Guan was considering whether he should try his luck in that Secret Realm; perhaps he could gather a batch of Heavenly and Earthly Treasures, then he wouldn’t worry about lacking elixirs.

However, Chen Guan eventually abandoned this unrealistic idea.

People have been digging in the Secret Realms for so many years; the Heavenly and Earthly Treasures that could be found were probably long gone, leaving nothing for him to scavenge.

It’s more reliable to spend money to buy what he wants; the key is not to be cheated, to get the real deal.

If Chen Guan were to consume them, they must be Black City Old Dan made from ten-thousand-year-old wild ginseng; otherwise, they would hardly have any effect on him.

Chen Guan initially wanted Duan Shulin to help him order a batch of ten-thousand-year-old Black City Old Dan, but it was not going to be that simple.

Duan Shulin could help him order, but he couldn’t deliver them.

The Duan Family wouldn’t let Duan Shulin leave Black City, so now his activities are limited to Black City and the Changbai Mountain Secret Realm.

Previously, it was possible to use the Duan Family’s network to send things directly to Chen Guan, as it was their own channel, even if it was precious, it would be safe and sound.

But now it’s not possible anymore because the Duan Family doesn’t allow Duan Shulin to continue associating with Chen Guan, so they wouldn’t let him send things to Chen Guan.

"Brother Guan, don’t blame them; they just don’t want me to get involved in the internal struggle of the Celestial Court Army. It’s not personal against you; it’s just that the situation in the Celestial Court Army is very tricky, and you happen to be in the eye of the storm." Duan Shulin quickly explained, "But that’s their opinion. I believe in you, our connection has nothing to do with others. If you need anything, just find me."

"Understood." Chen Guan could empathize with the Duan Family’s concerns.

Though the Duan Family has been doing quite well, they are not on par with the Ten Great Families and naturally need to consider the wellbeing of their youth, they cannot afford to let them be caught up in deadly conflicts.

Chen Guan weighed in his heart whether he should go to the Black City Old Dan King or make another trip to the Dragon Tiger Mountain Blessed Land to find Zhang Chunxiang.

The main reason he did not approach Zhang Chunxiang again was because Fu Tianji was with him.

Although others might not recognize Fu Tianji now, Zhang Chunxiang had spent some time with Fu Tianji and might recognize him.

If it were to get out that Fu Tianji was with him and the feud-holding Celestial King learned about it, it would become troublesome.

Chen Guan didn’t like such troubles, so he had to avoid them as much as possible.

After pondering for a while, Chen Guan decided to visit Black City.

Though the Duan Family may not be fond of Chen Guan, they wouldn’t wish to offend the Ji Family and would not harm him.

Chen Guan thought if there was an opportunity, he could change the Duan Family’s perception of him.

Having more friends opens more doors, better than having more enemies.

Of course, if there’s an opportunity to make a move it would be great, although there’s no need to force it.

After discussing with Ji Nanhong and making sure everything was in order, Chen Guan set off to Black City on his own.

In fact, he didn’t have much to hand over, as he was just a figurehead; An Yiqi usually took care of the Vanguard Team, so there wasn’t anything for him to stress over.

Ji Nanhong planned to form a new camp and assigned Shi Zhimen to lead it, but personnel would need to be selected from the Reserve Team and trained gradually.

Bringing along a rare person like Fu Tianji, Chen Guan couldn’t travel by plane or other common transport, so he had to make the journey himself.

By day he rode a Zhaoye Lion Horse, at night he traveled in the Ghost Palanquin, seldom stopping along the way.

The reason for the switch was because the Ghost Palanquin was too eye-catching, not suitable for broad daylight.

During the day, he tucked the Ghost Palanquin into Yellow Mud Island, taking it out at night to travel, and Chen Guan could sleep inside, combining rest and travel efficiently.

When Chen Guan finally reached Black City, several days had already passed.

"Old Guan, you finally made it." Duan Shulin secretly went to greet Chen Guan, recently the Duan Family had eased their restrictions on him, they didn’t know Chen Guan had arrived in Black City.

"Is it fine for you to meet me?" Chen Guan smiled.

"It’s fine. Why care about them? They don’t really understand the situation." Duan Shulin wanted to take Chen Guan to eat authentic Black City dishes.

"Let’s go buy the elixirs first." Chen Guan wasn’t in the mood for food or drinks; he wanted to get the elixirs first.

"Don’t worry, I’ve already made reservations with the shopkeeper of the Old Dan King. There’s a stock of ten-thousand-year materials Black City Old Dan, ten thousand pills, and the price is a thousand per pill." Duan Shulin led Chen Guan to the Old Dan King’s store.

"The price is not an issue, a thousand it is." Chen Guan now just wanted to upgrade quickly; money was secondary.

When they arrived at the Old Dan King’s, the shopkeeper personally attended to them, appearing that the Duan Family was indeed quite reputable in Black City.

In a private VIP room, the shopkeeper served them tea, smiling as he said, "Young Master Duan, you’re here to pick up the goods, right? Your order is long ready."

Duan Shulin pointed to Chen Guan and said, "Shopkeeper Wang, this is my friend Chen Guan, the real big boss behind the order, I’m just the introducer. You two should get acquainted; my friend does significant business, and there will be many future opportunities for cooperation."

Initially, Shopkeeper Wang was smiling, but as he heard Chen Guan’s name, his smile gradually faded.

"Are you Chen Guan? The one from the Celestial Court Army?" Shopkeeper Wang surveyed Chen Guan and asked.

"Yes, have we met before?" Chen Guan noticed that Shopkeeper Wang’s expression seemed off.

"We haven’t met." Shopkeeper Wang shook his head and then turned to Duan Shulin and said, "Young Master Duan, sorry, there seems to be a problem with that batch of goods; I can’t sell it now."

"Shopkeeper Wang, what do you mean?" Duan Shulin’s expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

"Apologies." Shopkeeper Wang offered no explanation, just apologized, and was ready to leave.

"Shopkeeper Wang, what relation is Wang Lian to you?" Chen Guan spoke up, having already guessed the reason.

"A descendant of the clan." Shopkeeper Wang said without turning his head and then walked out the door.

Chen Guan and Duan Shulin exchanged glances, Duan Shulin frustratedly said, "I never expected that the Old Dan King was a property of the Wang Family. I’ve been in Black City all these years and didn’t know the Old Dan King had such a background. If I had known, I wouldn’t have mentioned your name and fetched the goods myself."