In the spacious, bright, European-style living room of the Lu Family villa, Lu Yun sat composedly on a wide, soft, imported leather sofa, dressed in comfortable silk loungewear.
On the carved mahogany coffee table before him sat several exquisite blue-and-white porcelain stewing pots.
The lids were slightly ajar, wisps of steam curling up, releasing a rich and enticing medicinal aroma.
Centennial Ginseng and Chicken Soup, Lingzhi and Goji Berry Stewed Squab, Snow Lotus and Rock Sugar Bird’s Nest... every single one was a priceless, top-tier tonic.
Lu Jingteng sat on an armchair to his father’s side. He wore a crisp suit, his hair impeccably styled.
"Dad! Have you seen this morning’s paper? That damned arch-traitor and that Wa Country devil, Kameida, are really dead!"
"The news is all over Yun Port City!"
Lu Yun calmly picked up one of the bowls of ginseng soup and stirred it gently with a porcelain spoon. He simply hummed in acknowledgment.
He casually tossed the nearby *Spark Daily* over to him. "I’ve seen it," he said coolly, "but I appreciate this piece more."
Lu Jingteng picked up the newspaper, curious. A single glance was all it took for a wry expression to cross his face.
The article in the *Spark Daily* was written in extremely aggressive language, viciously berating the Cyan Dragon Gang and Wa Country.
It also mercilessly denounced all the "comprador running dogs" and "spineless maggots" who colluded with foreigners and sold out the interests of their own people.
"This is definitely Jingyao’s handiwork! Cousin Fa Cai really lets him get away with anything!"
Lu Jingteng couldn’t help but laugh, but his expression quickly turned to one of concern as he looked at Lu Yun. "Dad, isn’t Jingyao being a little too aggressive? The people from Wa Country, the other foreigners, and the lapdogs they keep will probably explode with rage when they read this."
Lu Yun set down his soup bowl and rubbed his temples, a rare look of exasperation on his face.
His youngest son, Lu Jingyao, was passionate and ambitious, but his way of doing things was akin to dancing next to a powder keg with a lit torch.
Now he’s pushed himself and the *Spark Daily* right into the eye of the storm, making them a thorn in the side of certain powerful factions.
"People who have studied abroad... their horizons broaden, and their nerve grows along with it."
Lu Yun shook his head slightly, saying with a hint of resignation, "Fortunately, our Lu Family has only been involved in legitimate import-export trade all these years. Our dealings with foreigners are always transparently priced and honest. We’ve never touched that shady, under-the-table business."
"Otherwise, I’m afraid even I, his own father, would end up being criticized in one of his articles."
Hearing this, Lu Jingteng pictured the scene and broke into laughter. "Hahaha, Jingyao wouldn’t have the guts for that. But you have to admit, Dad, this article is brilliantly written!"
"The prose is so eloquent in its condemnation, it’s incredibly satisfying to read. I feel like it’s vented a lot of my own pent-up frustration!"
Lu Yun waved his hand, interrupting his son’s "appreciation," his expression turning serious again. "Alright, Yun Port City is unlikely to be peaceful for a while. Take some reliable men with you when you go to and from the company, and be extra careful yourself."
"In a few days, I’ll figure out a way to get you all something for real self-defense."
The "something for self-defense" he mentioned was, of course, "Immortal Flesh"—an opportunity that could fundamentally enhance one’s strength.
Seeing his father’s serious tone, Lu Jingteng also wiped the smile from his face and nodded solemnly. "Yes, Dad, I understand. I’ll head to the company now. I have several important contracts to sign today."
"Go on, be careful on the road."
After watching his eldest son leave, the living room fell quiet again. Lu Yun picked up the bowl of Centennial Ginseng Soup, which was now at the perfect temperature, and drank it all in one go.
Then he closed his eyes, and his consciousness sank into his mind.
[Extreme Blue Martial Arts Modifier]
Name: Lu Yun
Sex: Male
Realm: Grandmaster of Huajin (Late Stage)
Cultivation Technique: Mountain-Breaking Inch Force Fist 3rd Floor (Initiate), Hard Qigong 2nd Floor (Initiate)
Modified Value: 44
The value had increased from 40 to 44.
This morning alone, he had "consumed" three restorative soups made primarily with centennial ginseng, supplemented by several portions of premium-grade Lingzhi and snow lotus.
These top-tier tonics—items that would make any Martial Artist’s heart race with envy and would normally require consumption in multiple, smaller doses—were downed by him like plain water, yielding a total of 4 modified value points.
Staring at the number 44, Lu Yun sighed softly. ’These ingredients are getting harder and harder to buy, and more expensive too.’
Ever since he had gone on a buying spree for high-vintage, top-tier medicinal herbs in Yun Port City and Linjiang City in Yifeng Province, nearly clearing out the market’s entire stock...
The atmosphere in the medicinal herb market of Yun Port City and its surrounding regions—especially the high-end tonic market targeting Martial Artists—had completely changed.
Panic buying began to spread.
The masters of martial arts dojos with established lineages, the scions of wealthy families, and even some well-informed rich and powerful merchants all realized something.
Items like centennial ginseng and premium-grade Lingzhi were not just treasures for extending one’s lifespan; they were strategic resources for boosting one’s cultivation at critical moments!
Before, they might have just stockpiled a few for emergencies, but now, seeing a Grandmaster of Huajin like Lu Yun buying so "frantically," who could possibly sit still?
"Look, even Grandmaster Lu is buying them up like crazy! This stuff must be incredibly useful!"
"Quick! Go find out where there’s still stock! We have to get our hands on some, no matter the cost!"
"Damn it, if we’re too late, someone else will buy it all! We won’t be able to find any in the future!"
And so, an invisible "Great Tonic Herb War" kicked off in Yun Port City and several neighboring provinces.
The price of the already scarce, top-tier medicinal herbs skyrocketed, and they were often unavailable even if one had the money.
Many pharmacies even began holding back their inventory, clutching their few remaining signature treasures tightly and refusing to sell.

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