[The Chamber Of Commerce : Sky Flower]

Jian Ning emerged from the residence with a silent determination, his steps naturally leading him toward the bustling center of the city. His goal was clear: to reach the Sky Flower branch. The morning sun bathed Tianjin in its golden rays, creating a dance of light on the cobblestones of streets already lively with daily activities.

After navigating through a few alleys and busy intersections, Jian Ning finally reached his destination. In front of him stood a colossal five-story building, imposing and majestic. Its facade, adorned with intricate designs, was a true feast for the eyes, and at its peak, the sign "Sky Flower" proudly sat in golden letters, visible from afar.

Without wasting time, Jian Ning pushed open the grand wooden doors and stepped into the entrance hall. As soon as he crossed the threshold, an unusual commotion hit him. The reception hall, usually calm and serene, echoed with noises and exclamations.

"Since when has this place been so noisy?" he thought, a slight irritation showing on his face.

He advanced cautiously, his senses on high alert. The source of the noise came from a corner of the reception area, and he was determined to find out what was happening. As he made his way through the crowd, he overheard a heated argument.

"Who is the stupid person making so much noise in the reception hall? Aren't they afraid of becoming an enemy of Sky Flower? They must be mentally retarded! Let's find out," Jian Ning thought, his curiosity piqued by the odd situation.

As he got closer, the voices became more distinct. An animated conversation between two men caught his attention.

"That trash from the Jian family has become more and more arrogant. He must have forgotten he's trash since he started practicing."

"I heard he won the Jian family tournament. Maybe he has the capital to be arrogant."

"Heh... do you really think he can win against young master Jian Ning?! Don't forget he's already reached the Qi Gathering level."

"Of course not, but young master Jian Ning didn't participate because he was already qualified for the Lingyun sect competition."

"So, do you still think he can beat young master Jian Wang or young master Jian Wei? Moreover, even if he can defeat them, this trash has antagonized the second-rank alchemist master Hu. Even the Jian family can't help him."

Jian Ning slowed his pace, listening intently to the conversation. He was both intrigued and slightly annoyed by what he heard. The desire to find out the end of the story pushed him to move faster. The noise seemed to be coming from the alchemists' reception, where those wishing to sell pills usually gathered.

Upon reaching the reception, as he had anticipated, he found his brother, Jian Shi, in the midst of a confrontation with a middle-aged man with an unpleasant face. Next to Jian Shi stood a beautiful young woman of about 20 years, her long black hair falling gracefully over her shoulders. She had a refined, noble nose, cherry-red lips, and voluptuous curves.

"You!! I'll show you that I made these pills by passing the second-rank alchemy exam!!" Jian Shi shouted, glaring at the middle-aged man with fierce intensity while casting furtive glances at the young woman.

Watching the scene unfold before him, Jian Ning couldn't help but comment inwardly, 'Since when did Jian Shi become like this? And does he think he's being discreet with those glances?'

Jian Ning observed the scene for a few moments, his interest quickly waning. After all, he had more important matters to attend to, and given the recent changes in Jian Shi's behavior, it was clear he didn't need his help.

Jian Ning felt slightly annoyed by the lack of professionalism in the situation. Such conflicts should be resolved in private, away from prying eyes, and especially in a way that didn't disrupt business or keep clients like him waiting.

"I could stop them, but it would probably cause more problems than it would solve," Jian Ning thought, considering the potential complications this could bring to his adoptive brother.

As the confrontation reached its climax, Jian Ning couldn't help but wonder how things would end. Eventually, after several heated exchanges and some angry gestures, the matter seemed to conclude.

After a few face-slapping moments, goddess-like spoiled speeches, and accusations of lucky trash, the confrontation ended with Jian Shi's victory. The middle-aged man was in tears, almost inconsolable.

"Hu Wen, you are fired from our Sky Flower, and you will not be accepted by any other branch," declared the young woman with cold arrogance, her words as sharp as blades. This sentence ended the man's career and, at the same time, sparked Jian Ning's anger.

Jian Ning despised arrogant and unreasonable people, and this girl perfectly embodied both flaws.

"But... but young miss, I was only doing my duty. It was you who asked us to identify all those conducting strange transactions," Hu Wen defended himself, desperate.

"Are you saying I'm lying?" the young woman retorted, a monstrous pressure emanating from her body, or more precisely from the necklace she wore around her neck.

"No, no! But I've done so much for Sky Flower!! I've been an employee and an alchemist here for decades, even before you were born!!" Hu Wen shouted, his voice a mix of anger and despair.

"Are you saying you're more important than me in Sky Flower? Or maybe you know Sky Flower better than I do?" the young woman countered, twisting Hu Wen's words against him.

'This Hu Wen makes me pity him, but what an idea to engage in a verbal fight with this bitch who has studied the art of negotiation since childhood,' Jian Ning thought silently, deciding it was time to end this farce.

He realized that in this world, the rules hadn't changed. A person powerful through their family, even if young, could make the life of a weaker person as difficult as hell because of their background.

Hu Wen wanted to respond, to show some of his qualities to maybe change the young woman's mind, but no words came out of his mouth.

"If you have nothing to say, then don't set your dirty dog paws in our Sky Flower again," the young woman said, her vicious words almost making Jian Ning want to cut her into pieces.

Jian Ning watched as the guards approached Hu Wen, who seemed to have lost all will to fight. Jian Ning's gaze hardened as he saw the man being dragged out of the building. He had always known the world could be cruel, but he had never truly accepted this harsh reality until today.