I Was Forced to Marry a “Trash” Cultivator, But She Turned Out to Be a Reborn Empress!

Chapter 270: Securing Materials, Duobao Workshop

In front of the Profound Fire Cave, the street fell into a deathly silence.

The spectators held their breath, their eyes bulging as if they had seen a ghost. A Void Refinement Celestial Venerable—a god among men—had descended from the heavens not to smite an ant, but to apologize to him?

Wei Tianshan landed, his terrifying aura retracting instantly. He walked toward Shen Xian with a measured, dignified gait, wearing a smile that was polite but not servile.

“Little Friend Wang,” Wei Tianshan cupped his hands. “I am Wei Tianshan. I have come to pay a visit.”

Shen Xian’s expression remained calm. He returned the gesture with a slight bow. “Senior Wei.”

This old fox knows how to play the game, Shen Xian thought. He swallows his pride to save his clan.

Wei Tianshan didn’t mind Shen Xian’s cool attitude. He laughed softly. “A junior of my clan offended you the other day. I have come personally to offer amends.”

He waved his sleeve. Three exquisite jade boxes materialized in the air, hovering before Shen Xian.

“A small token of my regret.”

The first box clicked open. Inside lay a crystal the size of a fist, glowing with a deep, throbbing crimson light. The heat radiating from it distorted the air.

Fifth-Rank Fire Spirit Crystal?

Shen Xian’s eyebrows twitched. This was a core material for forging True Spirit Treasures. The Wei Family was bleeding value to fix this mistake.

He remained impassive and looked at the second box.

Inside was a delicate silver throwing knife, its surface etched with intricate, flowing runes.

Low-Grade True Spirit Treasure.

It was superior to his own Traceless Sword and possessed a complete artifact spirit.

If I gift this… with the hundredfold return… High-Grade True Spirit Treasure?

The third box contained an ancient, weathered jade slip.

“This is a record of Fifth-Rank Refining insights I obtained in my youth,” Wei Tianshan explained.

Shen Xian nodded internally. It was less valuable than the first two, but useful for his disciples.

With a wave of his hand, he swept the three boxes into his Blood Jade Ring. His face remained neutral.

“Senior Wei’s sincerity is noted,” Shen Xian said slowly. “However…”

He paused, his gaze drifting meaningfully toward the dilapidated entrance of the Profound Fire Cave behind him.

Wei Tianshan was a thousand-year-old monster; he understood the hint instantly. “Does Little Friend have difficulties with this cave?”

“To be honest,” Shen Xian said, “the formation here is shattered. To repair it, I require three specific materials.”

He looked at the Patriarch. “Earth Core Fire Marrow. Profound Dark Ice Iron. And a Fifth-Rank Formation Plate.”

Wei Tianshan’s smile stiffened slightly.

Greedy brat. Those are strategic resources.

But he smoothed his expression quickly. “Little Friend has sharp eyes. Those are indeed rare… My personal treasury happens to hold the Fire Marrow and the Ice Iron. But a Fifth-Rank Formation Plate…”

“If it is inconvenient…” Shen Xian started to turn away.

“No!” Wei Tianshan interrupted. “Since Little Friend needs it, this old man will find a way. Give me three days.”

Shen Xian smiled, a genuine warmth reaching his eyes for the first time. “Then I thank Senior Wei. Once my workshop is operational, if the Wei Family has refining needs, you will have priority.”

A slap followed by a sweet date.

Wei Tianshan beamed. “Excellent! I will have them delivered in three days.”

The two exchanged pleasantries and parted ways, the tension dissolving into a profitable transaction.

Leisure Cloud Abode.

Shen Xian sat at the main table, examining the silver throwing knife.

Qiu Ruoli entered with a tray of spirit tea. She saw the boxes and paused. “The Wei Family’s apology?”

“Unexpected gains,” Shen Xian said, spinning the knife on his finger. It hummed a clear, musical note.

“The Patriarch came personally…” Qiu Ruoli murmured, setting down the tea. “Your reputation in the Sacred City is already terrifying.”

“It’s borrowed power,” Shen Xian dismissed. “Venerable Zi Yun’s shadow is long.”

He looked at her. “You need protection. Take this.”

He tossed the silver knife to her.

Qiu Ruoli caught it, stunned.

A True Spirit Treasure? For me?

She ran a finger along the cold metal. The artifact spirit inside pulsed with a gentle, welcoming energy.

He gives me treasures worth cities… why?

Memories of her captivity flooded back—the humiliation, the anger. But overlaid on those were newer memories: his guidance, his protection, the resources he poured into her cultivation.

He has never truly mistreated me, a treacherous voice whispered in her mind.

She looked at him. His profile was sharp, his expression calm and confident.

Perhaps… this is his way.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

She clutched the knife, feeling the cold metal grounding her. The wall she had built around her heart developed another hairline fracture.

If it stays like this… maybe it’s not so bad.

[System Notification: Host gifted Dao Companion the Low-Grade True Spirit Treasure “Cold Moon Small Knife”.]

[Triggering Hundredfold Blessing Return…]

[Congratulations! You have received the High-Grade True Spirit Treasure “Thunder Radiance Soft Armor”. Claim?]

Shen Xian’s lips curled upward.

High-Grade Defensive True Spirit Treasure. Perfect.

Just then, heavy footsteps thudded in the courtyard.

“Master!” Ai Xiao burst in, face flushed with excitement. “You won’t believe it! Refiners from the Heavenly Craft Workshop came by! They wanted to ask for your guidance!”

Tie Shan lumbered in behind him. “I chased ’em off. Told ’em Master is busy.”

Shen Xian chuckled. “Good. But don’t be too rude.”

He turned to Su Mu. “Prepare tea and snacks. If visitors come tomorrow, receive them properly. We are a business now.”

Su Mu’s eyes sparkled. “Master, are you taking disciples?”

“Not yet,” Shen Xian shook his head. “First, we build the brand.”

“Brand?” Ai Xiao asked.

“We need a name,” Tie Shan scratched his head. “For the workshop.”

Shen Xian thought for a moment. He thought of the endless stream of treasures the system provided.

“Duobao,” he said. “Many Treasures.”

“Duobao Workshop.”

The disciples nodded, etching the name into their minds.

Shen Xian looked at them. “Now, your task is to spread the word about our Duobao Workshop.”

Once the Wei Family delivered the three materials, he could repair the Earth Fire Formation in the Profound Fire Cave, and then they could start taking orders.

The three disciples accepted the command, their eyes filled with determination.