Li Feng's curiosity piqued as he caught sight of the store's name above in elegant characters: "Wei Alchemy Hall."
The dark ink had faded slightly, the wooden plaque weathered by years of sun and rain. It wasn't shabby, just seemed a bit worn down. Compared to the lively pill shops nearby, this one looked oddly quiet. A pair of customers exited with dark expressions, muttering complaints.
"Hmm," Li Feng murmured, tilting his head. "That hall seems… deserted. For an alchemy shop in a city like this, that's strange."
Lin Yu followed his gaze and gave a small sigh. "That's Wei Alchemy Hall. It belongs to the Wei family. They were once a rising star among the local clans in this city, almost strong enough to become the fifth major family of Cloudveil City."
Li Feng ask back "Almost?"
"Yes." Lin Yu's expression turned pity. "Three years ago, their patriarch died during a breakthrough to Middle stage of Foundation Establishment Realm. At least, that's the official story. Some say it a backlash from heart demon tribulation. Others say he was being poison. Then, as if fate wasn't cruel enough, their old ancestor, the only Late Stage Foundation Realm expert in their line, passed away soon after in secluded cultivation."
"Both at once?" Li Feng's tone was casual, but his mind was already suspicious of this coincidence.
Lin Yu nodded. "Without those two pillars, their influence crumbled. Rivals started circling like wolves. Their trade routes were taken, allies vanished. And their greatest asset, the alchemy hall has been dying slowly."
Li Feng's eyes drifted back to the faded plaque and empty counters inside. "What happened?"
"Their master alchemist is also very old and bedridden," Lin Yu explained. "No one else in the clan matches his skill. Now they can't produce high-grade pills anymore. And if they want to buy from the sect or other shops, the cost is too high to make worthwhile profit."
"Hmm…" Li Feng let out a low hum, eyes still on the faded plaque, then an idea started forming in his mind. This… maybe I can try to sell my pills to this family. I can probably get some bigger share during negotiation using their situation as my advantage, but the risk is…
Lin Yu continued as they walked slowly past. "You should know, Cloudveil City is dominated by four major families. The Ye family who controls artifact forging, they produce some of the finest weapons in the surrounding area. The Peng family deals in alchemy and medicinal trade; they've had a monopoly for decades. The Hong family specializes in talismans and array work, while the Zhang family handles spirit beast breeding and trade."
"And the Wei family was going to join them?" Li Feng asked.
Li Feng isn't dumb. The fall of the Wei family probably has something to do with the four major families here.
"Yes. Before tragedy struck, the Wei family was powerful in both strength and commerce. People thought they would rise to sit alongside the four. Now…" Lin Yu shook his head. "Now they're barely holding on. The sect won't intervene, of course. So long as taxes are paid and peace is kept, the sect doesn't care who rises or falls."
Li Feng then asked, "So if the Wei family collapses, no one will step in?"
"Why would the Sect care?" Lin Yu's tone turn bitterly amused. "This is the cultivation world, Junior Brother. The strong take everything, while the weak vanish. Of course, it all has to be within the Sect rules."
Which means… the Wei family situation is probably more dire than I thought. Li Feng's thoughts stirred like ripples on a pond, but his face remained calm, still weighing whether it was worth the risk to work with the Wei family.
Suddenly, the chatter around them softened. A sleek carriage rolled to a stop in front of the Wei Alchemy Hall, its polished wood gleaming with the family crest. Attendants hurried to lower the steps.
Li Feng paused, looking curiously. He expected a steward, maybe a young heir. Instead…
A mature figure descended.
Li Feng's eyes were immediately drawn to her ... her body spoke volumes before her face did.
It was a masterpiece of temptation, all sinful curves barely contained by the deep purple silk of her qipao. The fabric hugged her soft-big pair of jade so tightly that every proud, round swell looked ready to burst free with the slightest pull. Her waist dipped into a graceful curve before flaring into hips that were wide and lethal, the kind that could crush a man's reason. Every step she took made the high slit of her dress part just enough to reveal teasing glimpses of smooth, creamy thigh that begged to be touched.
A soft fur stole draped lazily across her shoulders, its pale fluff a sharp contrast to the rich purple silk and her flawless skin. It framed the delicate line of her collarbones like a lover's hand, drawing the eye down to the gentle rise of her chest and the sinful hollow of her neck.
Her black hair was tied up in a high, elegant bun, pinned with jade hair sticks. One loose strand fell against her cheek and slid down the side of her neck, soft and out of place against her sharp, commanding look.
Then came her face, cold, sharp, and stunningly beautiful. Her dark eyes, touched with a faint purple hue, glimmered like polished steel, carrying a gaze that could silence a room. Her lips, full and deep red like ripe cherries, stayed in a calm, firm line that radiated authority… yet the shape of that mouth hinted at pleasures that could ruin a man.
Her steps were slow and teasing, each deliberate sway of her full, round hips rolling with a tempting, almost sinful rhythm. Her S shape curves moved like a slow, wicked dance, inviting and impossible to ignore, while her sharp, cold eyes made it clear she was as dangerous as she was beautiful.
Lin Yu whispered beside Li Feng, "That's Wei Meilin, the current matriarch of the Wei family. She's been holding the clan together since her husband died. Everyone knows the family is in trouble, but no one dares to say it out loud. Rumor has it the pressure on her is... unimaginable."
Wei Meilin paused at the entrance to the hall, exchanging a few words with the anxious clerk. Her voice carried across the street, calm and melodic, yet edged with authority. But beneath that, a hint of fatigue lingered, barely noticeable.
"Send word to the steward. The next shipment must arrive on time. No more excuses."
The clerk bowed repeatedly. "Yes, Madam Wei!"
Li Feng's gaze followed her every movement, especially the slow, deliberate sway of her full, round hips beneath the deep purple silk. That tight qipao hugged her curves like a second skin, each step pushing the fabric to tease flashes of creamy skin. The way her hips rolled, so smooth and tempting, pulled his eyes like a magnet, every motion a silent, lewd invitation he couldn't ignore.
He exhaled slowly. So this is the Wei Matriarch… holy shit, that sway is something else.
Li Feng lingered a heartbeat longer, drinking in the sight. The way the silk molded to her figure, the steady authority in her gaze, it was impossible not to admire.
He smirked quietly. Damn, that body is too tempting....
As the doors closed behind her, Li Feng stayed still for a moment, eyes gleaming faintly. A family in crisis. A widow… a hot one at that. Seems almost too perfect to miss. But the four families…
Just as Li Feng seemed stuck in thought, he glanced down, and found his little brother already trying to voice its opinion.
Li Feng sighed inwardly. "…Alright, anything for you brother." His lips curved into a slow, dangerous grin. Heh so what if the four families don't like it? They wouldn't dare kill a sect disciple in their own territory, right? And if it comes to the worst, I'll just reveal my alchemy talent to the sect.
Li Feng grinned, his mind flooded with countless indecent thoughts.
Hehe… looks like coming to Cloudveil City might be even more entertaining than I thought.
Lin Yu who stood next to him, his eyes flicked toward Li Feng, catching the way his gaze lingered on Wei Meilin with unmistakable interest. He let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "You really can't help yourself, can you? That woman, Wei Meilin was once the most stunning beauty in all of Cloudveil City. Back when she was younger, countless suitors from major clans and influential families came vying for her hand. Too bad her talent doesn't much her beauty."
He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low, serious tone. "I'm telling you this for your own good, junior brother. Mortal entanglements like this? They look sweet at first, but they'll drag you down before you even notice. One moment you're chasing a woman, the next you're years behind in cultivation."
When Li Feng heard this, he couldn't help but give Lin Yu a strange look.
Lin Yu didn't seem to notice Li Feng's gaze. Instead, he glanced toward a bustling street corner where a crowd was gathering. "There's a gathering nearby. It's a good chance to observe the sect's influence in the city and learn more about the families here. You should come with me."
Li Feng slowly shook his head, his voice steady and confident. "Senior Brother, go ahead. I want to have a private talk with Madam Wei a bit regarding alchemy."
Lin Yu couldn't help but sighed when he heard this, then he rubbing the back of his neck in frustration. "I swear, your stubbornness will be the death of you. Very well… just don't say I didn't warn you."
Lin Yu, who seemed frustrated with this stubborn junior, couldn't help but walk away in annoyance.
With that, he slipped into the crowd, leaving Li Feng alone with his thoughts and the enticing presence of the Wei matriarch. Then, with a grin, Li Feng walked into the store.