"Pay homage to the Lord Envoy!"
Countless mighty figures bowed in unison.
"No need for formalities."
Jiang Lang was as nervous as could be on the inside, but his outward composure was rock-solid.
After all, this was his first time seeing so many big shots, and every single one of them existed high above the masses—people who could make the entire Mortal Realm shudder with a mere stamp of their feet.
If he failed to put on an imposing front today, he might never be able to keep them in check in the future.
Seeing Jiang Lang's calm and collected demeanor, everyone instinctively assumed he was a man of vast experience and worldly wisdom. Deep down, their respect for him grew by several notches.
Looking around, Jiang Lang spoke, "As of today, I am the Envoy of the Mortal Realm. I have called you all here to ask: who among you possesses the Nine Abyss Cold Earth?"
This was an ingredient needed to treat Lin Qingrou.
"Reporting to Lord Envoy, this humble servant's Xingbao Pavilion has it." A richly dressed, benevolent-looking old man stepped forward.
Hearing the words "Xingbao Pavilion," Jiang Lang's expression tightened slightly.
He knew that place; it was a massively powerful commercial guild, and Jiang Lang didn't even have the qualifications to set foot inside. He never expected it to be an influence under Empress Yaochi as well.
It just wasn't considered a major faction, judging by the fact that the old man was standing rather far back.
Jiang Lang said, "Can you gift it to me?"
He went straight for a freebie.
The crucial point was that he had no choice; he didn't have a single coin in his pockets, making them cleaner than his backside.
The fat old man beamed from ear to ear. "It is this humble servant's utmost honor!"
"However, the Nine Abyss Cold Earth is not on my person, and my Xingbao Pavilion headquarters is ten thousand miles away. This is a Star Treasure Token—please keep it safe, and you can go to the local Xingbao Pavilion branch to collect it yourself."
With that, a token appeared in his hand, an uncontrollable smile plastered across his face.
The position of Mortal Realm Envoy had been vacant for thirty thousand years. Now that a new Envoy had just taken office, he had landed a massive contribution right off the bat; soaring to greatness and prosperity was just around the corner.
Jiang Lang accepted the Star Treasure Token. "What is your name?"
The fat old man hurriedly replied, "This humble servant is Jin Can."
Jiang Lang nodded. "Good, Jin Can, I have recorded a merit for you here."
He was just shooting blanks off the cuff; after all, he was just a small fry himself, so how could he possibly have any rewards to give?
Yet Jin Can's mouth split into a grin reaching his ears. "Thank you, Lord Envoy! Where are you currently staying?"
Jiang Lang said, "Lieyong City."
Jin Can replied, "Once I step out, I shall make the arrangements."
Jiang Lang nodded. "Very well."
At that moment, seeing Jin Can rewarded with a merit, everyone else wore looks of envy.
Someone immediately spoke up, "Lord Envoy, although I do not have the Nine Abyss Cold Earth, this Tianshan Xuanlian is also an incomparable treasure."
Another person chimed in, "Lord Envoy, congratulations on your ascension. Please graciously accept this peerless precious jade."
"Lord Envoy, this Heaven Grade precious sword was obtained by me from a secret realm. A fine sword belongs to a hero, and since you are young and promising, you deserve this blade!"
……
In an instant, everyone rushed to offer their treasures, eager to leave a good impression on Jiang Lang.
Jiang Lang felt deeply tempted.
Yet he still reined in his desires.
For two reasons.
He had to maintain his imposing aura; if he accepted their treasures, his table manners might look a bit unsightly. If these big shots looked down on him, he might fail to control them in the future—which would be a terrible trade-off. Jiang Lang knew very well how to choose between being full for just one meal or being full for every meal.
Having too many treasures wasn't necessarily a good thing either. After all, an innocent man gets into trouble merely because of his jade ring. He was currently weak in strength, and carrying heavy treasures around meant that once he exposed his wealth, he would likely become a target, perhaps even endangering his life.
With these thoughts in mind, he stated, "I appreciate everyone's kind intentions, but this seat only requires the Nine Abyss Cold Earth. You may all take your things back."
With those words, his figure rippled and vanished from the throne.
The crowd exchanged glances in dismay.
"Alas... It seems our treasures are unworthy of catching the Lord Envoy's eye."
"The Lord Envoy is like a divine dragon; naturally, he would look down upon mundane items like ours."
"True. This Lord Envoy is exceptionally extraordinary."
"Yet he looks just like an ordinary person."
"What do you know? This is the highest state of returning to simplicity and truth. His cultivation is probably second only to Empress Yaochi!"
"Second only to Empress Yaochi? Then he must be a Great Emperor as well!"
"Hiss! Such a young Great Emperor?!"
"Inconceivable!"
"Even if he isn't a Great Emperor, he must be a Supreme!"
"Manager Jin, you've made a great contribution today. When you soar to success in the future, you must not forget to pull the rest of us along."
"Haha... Easy, easy... Everyone, I shall take my leave first. The Lord Envoy will be going to Xingbao Pavilion to collect his treasure shortly, and I cannot afford to be negligent."
After cupping his fists in farewell to the crowd, Jin Can departed with a beaming smile.
Right at this moment, his mood was soaring through the clouds.
He knew that given his low status, he had never been valued like this before. Now, riding the coattails of the Envoy, he had become the focal point of the entire gathering. Even if he were asked to go through fire and water for Jiang Lang in the future, he wouldn't even furrow a brow.
Meanwhile, Jiang Lang had returned to reality.
It wasn't that he was in a rush to leave earlier; mostly, he was afraid that if he stayed any longer, his saliva would start drooling over those dazzling treasures, ruining his majestic persona.
Glancing at the Star Treasure Token radiating a seven-color rainbow light in his hand, he headed straight for Xingbao Pavilion.
The moment he stepped into the main hall, a hostile voice rang out, "Jiang Lang, you piece of trash, what are you doing here?"
Jiang Lang raised his head and immediately spotted Lin Yayin and Li Muxian.
"What business of yours is it why I'm here?" Jiang Lang replied with utter indifference.
Lin Yayin looked at Jiang Lang and suddenly cried out in shock, "Are you stalking me?"
Jiang Lang, "??????"
Lin Yayin immediately put on an expression of extreme disdain and a sneer. "Jiang Lang, save it. Even if you followed me all the way here, I will never spare you a second glance. Don't waste your efforts anymore; my heart belongs to Young Master Li alone."
"Also, Xingbao Pavilion is not a place for trash like you. Get lost immediately and stop being an eyesore here."
Jiang Lang glanced at her. "Are you fucking pure drama? You're sick."
With that, he walked straight past them.
Watching Jiang Lang's retreating figure, Lin Yayin's expression darkened. "Young Master Li, I don't want to see him. Isn't your friend a deacon at Xingbao Pavilion? Can't he have that piece of trash thrown out?"
Li Muxian smiled. "Simple."
He took out a spirit jade and said, "Deacon Fang, please come over here for a moment. I have a favor to ask."
A cheerful voice came from the other end, "Young Master Li is too polite. We're all brothers, no need to talk about favors. I'll be right there."
Li Muxian put away the spirit jade and smiled sinisterly. "A good show is about to start."
Lin Yayin looked at him with full admiration. "Young Master Li, you have such wide connections. You're simply amazing."
Li Muxian smiled faintly. "This is nothing."
Meanwhile.
Deacon Fang of Xingbao Pavilion was just about to go find Li Muxian when a flash of light suddenly erupted from the spirit transmission jade, projecting a phantom image directly into the void.
When he saw who the projection was, Fang Chen's expression shifted slightly.
This person was none other than the number one figure of Xingbao Pavilion, Head Manager Jin Can.
Fang Chen immediately bowed in salute. "Head Manager."
Jin Can cut straight to the point, "Fang Chen, shortly a young man will arrive holding a Seven-Color Star Treasure Token to collect the Nine Abyss Cold Earth. You must serve him with the utmost care and must not be negligent in the slightest. If you show even the slightest bit of negligence..."
At this, he paused slightly, his tone turning a few degrees colder, "I will slaughter your entire family."
Fang Chen was stunned upon hearing this.
What the fuck?!
A single trace of negligence and he'd directly slaughter his entire family?
This is, damn it, far too tyrannical.
The times are truly bad; even being an overworked corporate slave has become a high-risk profession.
Still, he was quite curious about who this youth could possibly be, to actually alarm a big shot like the Head Manager into calling personally.
Of course, as a seasoned wage earner, he knew some things should be asked, while others should not. He bowed and asked, "Dare I ask, Head Manager, what is the Seven-Color Star Treasure Token?"
Jin Can paused in surprise. "You don't know?"
Then, slapping his forehead as he remembered something, he said, "There are only ten Seven-Color Star Treasure Tokens in the entire world, and each one has a designated person paired with the holder. Your rank is too low, so it's natural you haven't seen one."
"In short, it's something that sparkles, glows with seven colors, and at a glance looks extremely cool, extremely dashing, and thoroughly extraordinary—that's the Seven-Color Star Treasure Token."
Fang Chen nodded. "This subordinate understands."
Jin Can continued, "Remember not to be negligent! Otherwise, your whole family dies!"
Having said this, Jin Can's projection flickered and quickly vanished.
Fang Chen wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling under immense pressure.
Damn it.
Sitting at home, disaster falls from the sky.
If he really showed even a tiny bit of negligence, his entire family of old and young would suffer for it.
These days, even being a laborer is hard work.
He was just about to leave when a servant rushed inside in a panic, "Deacon Fang, someone is causing trouble in the main hall!"
Fang Chen's expression instantly darkened. "How audacious! To dare cause trouble in my Xingbao Pavilion?! What is the dispute about?"
"It's Jiang Lang, the useless matrilocal son-in-law of the Lin Family. He used a token we've never seen before to impersonate a Star Treasure Token, and your friend, Young Master Li Muxian, exposed him on the spot. Now a huge fuss has broken out."
Upon hearing this, a wave of ominous premonition surged in Fang Chen's heart, and he asked, "What does that Star Treasure Token look like?"
The servant replied, "It sparkles, glows with seven colors, and looks very dashing, very cool, and thoroughly extraordinary. But at a glance, anyone can tell it's a fake. Who doesn't know that our Xingbao Pavilion's Star Treasure Tokens have always been low-key, luxurious, and full of depth? That Jiang Lang simply has a death wish!"
Fang Chen's expression changed drastically on the spot, cold sweat soaking his entire body in an instant.
Damn it, it really is true that whatever you fear most comes true!
Seeing Fang Chen covered in sweat, the servant hurriedly asked with concern, "Deacon Fang, are you hot?"
Fang Chen wore a look of utter despair. "No, I'm screwed."