The Ex-Con Who Conquered the World novel Chapter 89

"Oh, give it a rest," Chuck scoffed. "Stefan? You just want him to show up and rub it in Hank's face. I know how your mind works."

Audrey's eyes flashed. "Are you picking a fight with me, Chuck?" Her voice went sharp. "Fine. Maybe I am petty. That boy spent months sneering at Stefan, calling him an ex-con to his face. He had this coming. And yes—I'd love for Stefan to see what 'what goes around comes around' looks like in person."

Stefan bit back a laugh. Audrey had her moments. Genuinely endearing moments.

"Mrs. Stewart, I'll pass," he smiled. "I've got things to do anyway."

"Fine. Just eat breakfast before you go."

Audrey and Chuck headed out. Stefan sat down to eat, phone in hand.

He needed ingredients. Lots of them. Elixirs—Meridian Opening Elixirs, among others—to prepare for awakening the True Dragon Meridian.

The Veilscale Society's appearance had lit a fire under him. Robert was dead, but they wouldn't stop. Stronger people would come. The Profound Cold Earth Vein was too valuable to abandon.

"Ancient Dragon Street."

His search turned up River City's traditional medicine hub. Herbal shops, wholesale markets—everything concentrated in one ancient thoroughfare.

Breakfast finished, he grabbed a cab and headed out.

Thirty minutes later, Stefan stepped onto Ancient Dragon Street. Massive stones paved the way, worn smooth by centuries of footsteps. The air hung thick with the smell of herbs—earthy, sharp, familiar.

He browsed a few shops. Picked up samples. Sniffed. Examined.

Most of it was cultivated. Mass-produced. The truly wild stuff—aged, potent, rare—was kept in back rooms, not on display.

He asked about specific ingredients. Shop after shop shook their heads.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify