Chapter 42: The Pavilion of Treasures

Shen Yan smiled faintly, not responding to the earlier question. Instead, he pointed ahead at several cultivators who appeared rather fierce and asked, “I only asked about Foundation Establishment techniques in passing, but I see those men ahead still reek of blood. Isn't it forbidden to fight privately within the market?”

A few people in front hurried along, their faces vicious, bodies still stained with fresh blood—clear evidence of a recent violent clash.

Wu Qi followed Shen Yan’s gesture and then smiled as he explained, “Senior may not know, but those men are cultivators who linger around Little Lan Mountain. They lack the skills to refine tools or concoct pills, nor can they draw talismans or set up arrays. As for the other arts of cultivation, they are utterly clueless. So, all they can do is hunt demon beasts in the Taiwu Mountains to exchange for some resources.”

“I see,” Shen Yan said, watching the group disappear into the distance, thoughtful. “It seems the market at Little Lan Mountain is quite different from the cultivation sects. In those sects, I hear the beast-hunting tasks are all issued by the sect itself. After completing them, you can not only sell the beasts you acquire but also receive rewards from the sect. Does Little Lan Mountain not have similar rules?”

Wu Qi sized Shen Yan up at these words, curiosity in his gaze. “Senior, are you from a cultivation sect?”

His heart sank. If Shen Yan was indeed from a sect, then the task assigned by his own superiors might not be accomplished today.

Shen Yan waved a hand, putting on a wistful expression. “How could I have such good fortune?” he replied, shaking his head, clearly unwilling to reveal more about himself.

Wu Qi breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he wasn’t from a sect, that was good enough. He continued, “Senior, you may not know, but Little Lan Mountain’s market is a place where the three great families earn their spirit stones. Here, if you want to make money, unless you’re a pill or tool refiner, or possess some other special skill, it’s nearly impossible to gain any advantage.”

After a brief pause, he leaned in closer to Shen Yan, lowering his voice. “So, some cultivators take up less honorable means. Instead of striving for self-improvement, they ambush and rob others outside. Senior, you must be careful.”

As he spoke, his body seemed to bump Shen Yan accidentally, and he quickly stepped back.

“Thank you for the warning,” Shen Yan replied, appearing deeply convinced. He took out a spirit stone and handed it over. “If not for your advice, I might have run into those robbers myself after leaving Little Lan Mountain. Please accept this as a token of thanks.”

“Thank you for your generosity, Senior.”

Wu Qi accepted the spirit stone with delight, then asked, “May I ask, Senior, what brings you to Little Lan Mountain this time? Are you here to buy cultivation supplies, or to sell?”

“There are some things I’d like to sell,” Shen Yan replied without hesitation, as if he fully trusted Wu Qi by now.

“If you wish to earn more spirit stones, I know some black market channels,” Wu Qi offered. “But if you’d rather play it safe, you should visit the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, jointly run by the three great families.”

Shen Yan nodded, feigning contemplation before replying, “Let’s go to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, then. It’s my first time here, so I’d rather be cautious.”

“Senior’s prudence will surely take you far on the path of cultivation,” Wu Qi flattered, then added, “Please follow me.”

He led Shen Yan forward, introducing the surrounding shops as they went. “This is the Divine Weapon Hall run by the Chen family—most of their magical tools are forged from black iron from Tianzhu Mountain. The quality isn’t the highest, but they’re extremely durable.”

“This is the Rejuvenation Hall run by the Xu family, specializing in healing pills, as well as elixirs to boost cultivation and restore spiritual power.”

“These are shops run by independent cultivators, selling everything from pills and talismans to magical tools. The quality isn’t the best, but the prices are more reasonable.”

“That’s Old Hu’s shop, mainly selling food for spirit beasts—very fairly priced.”

“And this shop’s owner never shows his true face, but his spirit-seeking insects are rare and treasured. Many cultivators buy one before treasure hunting to reduce their risks.”

…

All along the way, Wu Qi chattered on, introducing every establishment, broadening Shen Yan’s horizons regarding the world of cultivation.

The myriad arts of cultivation were not mere empty boasting—there were truly countless branches, some entirely unexpected. Still, Shen Yan understood that while the arts were many, the only ones to command true respect were array masters, pill refiners, and alchemists. These three were most closely tied to cultivators’ advancement. The rest, though sometimes helpful, were not truly invaluable.

“Senior, here we are—the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.”

Before a magnificent three-storied building, Wu Qi greeted the guard at the door and then turned to Shen Yan.

Shen Yan nodded and stepped inside. Soon, an elderly man with neatly trimmed beard, looking around fifty, came forward to greet him. “An honored guest graces our doors. Forgive me for not welcoming you sooner,” he said with a polite bow. “I am Zhao Qingmu, steward of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. May I have your esteemed name?”

“I am Yan Sheng. Greetings, Daoist Zhao,” Shen Yan replied, returning the gesture with a smile. After all, one does not strike a smiling face.

“So it is Daoist Yan. May I ask if you are here to purchase cultivation supplies, or to sell?”

“Just some trifling items. Might I trouble you, Daoist Zhao, to see what they might fetch?”

Shen Yan produced a storage pouch and handed it over. Inside were items he had acquired from slaying Jin Miaofeng’s group, Yang Lie, Ling Qian, Zhou Shun, and others. He had already removed the Jade Immortal Sect’s marks, so there was no worry of identification.

“These…” Zhao Qingmu’s spiritual sense swept through the bag, and his expression immediately changed.

A mid-grade flying sword, a lower-grade long blade inlaid with spirit stones, a mid-grade magic robe, a pile of cultivation pills, and various promissory notes recognized across the cultivation world.

“A damaged mid-grade flying sword, one hundred spirit stones. The damaged lower-grade long blade, fifty spirit stones—but for the fine spirit stone inlay, I’ll offer you eighty. As for the ordinary talismans, pills, and assorted items, I’ll give you one hundred and twenty. What do you think?”

Shen Yan smiled, and suggested, “Perhaps you might look more closely at the pills in the white jade bottle.”

Zhao Qingmu paused and opened the bottle. After a careful sniff, his face changed dramatically. “These are Qi-Nurturing Pills that allow mortals to quickly sense spiritual energy? And all are of top quality! Daoist, you are most generous.”

Don’t be fooled—when Senior Wu gave those pills to Yang Lie, he hadn’t flinched at all. That was because he had a core disciple backing him, and the pills were to win over Yang Lie, the blood brother of Yang Yun. Naturally, the quality would not be lacking.

“How much would you say these four top-grade Qi-Nurturing Pills are worth, Daoist?”