At this moment, Han xin, Wang Xuan, Mo Yu, Jin Fugui, and the others watched as Jiang Chen picked up the Communication Talisman and channeled his Wood-attribute spiritual power into it.

Instantly, a faint spiritual glow appeared on the surface of the talisman, followed by a slow, rhythmic flickering.

Before long, a familiar voice came from the other side.

“Yes, and it’s a rather significant matter!”

Soon after, Chen Bo arrived upon hearing the news, landing his Paper Crane on the hard ground of Fire Peak.

Jiang Chen approached while waving a greeting. “Senior Brother!”

Chen Bo’s gaze swept over the group, noticing quite a few people and even spotting a familiar face. He couldn’t help but ask, “Why is Han xin here too?”

“It’s like this…” Jiang Chen recounted what had just happened.

“That’s why I’m at Fire Peak,” Han xin nodded in confirmation.

Chen Bo understood. “So, you’re saying someone named Xu Liang from the Harvest Alliance has taken a liking to your business at Fire Peak and wants to take it over. Is that correct?”

Chen Bo frowned. “This matter is both easy and difficult to handle.”

Han xin rolled her eyes in exasperation and grumbled, “That’s stating the obvious.”

Jiang Chen thought for a moment and said, “Senior Brother, if you find it troublesome, there’s no need to stand up for us juniors. At worst, we can just give up the business at Fire Peak.”

Although this would mean losing a monthly income of over a hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones, there was no other choice. After all, the Harvest Alliance was one of the five major powers—an absolute behemoth.

Both he and Chen Bo were merely members of the Spirit Farm; an arm couldn’t twist a thigh.

Upon hearing this, Jin Fugui and Mo Yu grew anxious. If they lost the income from this place, they would fall back into poverty.

As the old saying goes: “It’s easy to go from frugality to luxury, but hard to go from luxury back to frugality.”

These two had grown accustomed to earning Mid-grade Spirit Stones daily. A gradual decrease might have been acceptable, but losing everything all at once was truly unbearable.

Chen Bo waved his hand. “The key issue lies in whether this Xu Liang is acting on his own accord or if he’s actually a representative pushed forward by the Harvest Alliance.”

“With the Harvest Alliance’s vast wealth and operations, could they really be interested in our meager earnings?” Jiang Chen leaned toward the idea that this was Xu Liang’s personal doing. He likely just draped himself in the tiger skin of the Harvest Alliance to intimidate them.

The Harvest Alliance’s daily transaction volume amounted to tens of thousands of Mid-grade Spirit Stones. The mere few dozen from Fire Peak were nothing more than pocket change in their daily revenue at best.

Han xin took a big gulp of her sweet-and-sour wine and then said, “Guessing back and forth here is pointless. If you really want to resolve this matter, you might as well make a trip to Red Leaf Valley.”

Immediately, everyone’s eyes turned to Chen Bo. Feeling their hopeful gazes, he nodded. “Well said!”

By saying this, he had already indicated his willingness to help.

Jiang Chen quickly clasped his hands in gratitude. “Thank you, Senior Brother!”

Next, they began discussing plans.

Wang Xuan couldn’t leave; he had to be brought along to confront Xu Liang. Mo Yu was somewhat depleted and needed to go home and rest first. Jin Fugui would handle matters at Fire Peak. As for Han xin, it didn’t matter; she could go wherever she wanted and do whatever she pleased. After all, it was already quite good of her to come and help.

“Let’s go,” Chen Bo called out before summoning his Paper Crane.

“I’ll go with you,” Han xin said as she jumped onto her black flying shuttle.

Han xin blinked. “I’m just passing by to buy some spiritual plants.”

Jiang Chen couldn’t help but chuckle before turning to Mo Yu and Jin Fugui. “Be careful not to get into any more disputes with anyone. Wait until we return before doing anything.”

Jin Fugui and Mo Yu both acknowledged in unison.

Soon after, the Paper Crane and the black flying shuttle rose into the air. Carrying Jiang Chen, Chen Bo, Han xin, and Wang Xuan, they swiftly departed.

As they drew closer and closer to the Red Leaf Valley market, Wang Xuan’s expression grew increasingly grim. He couldn’t help but ask, “Senior Brothers and Sister… are you really taking me along?”

If he offended Han xin, life would be difficult for him in Black Mine; he would surely face suppression. If he offended Xu Liang—or even the Harvest Alliance—he wouldn’t be able to purchase resources anymore.

It felt like no matter what he did, it was a dead end.

Chen Bo shot him a sidelong glance and said coldly, “Do you have a choice?”

A minor character caught in a whirlpool only faces the fate of being swallowed up.

If Jiang Chen didn’t know Han xin or Chen Bo—if he lacked connections—the business at Fire Peak would undoubtedly have been snatched away by Xu Liang. That much was certain.

To put it bluntly: since he allowed himself to be used as someone else’s weapon and became an accomplice, he should have been prepared for things to go wrong.

“I’m… completely finished!” Despair nearly overwhelmed Wang Xuan’s heart.

Before long, the four arrived at the Red Leaf Valley market.

Even before landing, they could see the antique-style building of the Harvest Alliance trading post. A constant stream of people flowed in and out of its entrance; foot traffic was immense.

Chen Bo instructed Jiang Chen and Han xin, “Once we’re inside, leave everything to me. Don’t any of you speak out of turn.”

Han xin spread her hands. “I’m just here to buy spiritual plants.”

Chen Bo chose to ignore this remark before leading Jiang Chen and Wang Xuan into the trading post.

He was relatively familiar with this place. Having been part of the Spirit Farm’s core for many years—though he didn’t have as much clout as his cousin Chen Tian—he still knew some of the management personnel here without issue.

Soon enough, he found a female cultivator named Liu Shuang.

This person had a close relationship with Su Qing; they had once shared an intimate night together.

“You’re looking for Qingqing?” Liu Shuang seemed slightly surprised.

“Yes. Please contact her,” Chen Bo said helplessly; he truly didn’t possess Su Qing’s Communication Talisman.

Liu Shuang retrieved a Communication Talisman from her pink storage pouch.

“Qingqing? Cousin Li Lingbi wants to talk with you about something!”

Shortly after, that communication ended prematurely from Su Qing’s side.

Jiang Chen exchanged glances with the others present; their expressions were varied and somewhat odd.

Liu Shuang remained the calmest among them all, smiling slightly as she explained, “Qingqing recently gave birth, so she rarely comes over here.”

Jiang Chen twitched the corner of his mouth several times—the “birth” mentioned by the other party didn’t seem to have the same meaning as what they understood.

Han xin remarked even more teasingly, “So Lu Yuan Yuan’s ‘birth’ means giving birth!”