Eyeing the shifty youth prattling on, Lan An raised a hand, signaling silence.
Chen Jiang, quick to read the room, clamped his mouth shut, ears perked attentively.
"Your name?" Lan An asked, his voice calm yet commanding.
"This humble one is Chen Jiang, versed in the heavens above and the earth below. For just 20 Lower-Grade Spirit Stones…" Chen Jiang boasted, thumping his chest.
Lan An's gaze drifted to the street, noting cultivators trading with spirit stones as currency. Penniless, he pondered, then asked Chen Jiang, "Where in this city can I sell beast corpses?"
Chen Jiang blinked, surprised. This youth didn't look like a mercenary beast hunter. Still, he nodded. "Beast corpses are used for gear, weapons, or as delicacies in taverns, so they sell well. In Ling Wu City, the most reputable trading hub is Duo Bao Pavilion's branch."
"A branch?" Lan An mused, intrigued. A mere branch dominating a city of millions was no small feat.
"You don't know Duo Bao Pavilion?" Chen Jiang asked, his face twisting in disbelief.
"Answer the question. Less curiosity," Lan An said, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Yes, yes!" Chen Jiang backpedaled. "Duo Bao Pavilion is the largest merchant faction on the Bing Tian Frost Continent. They avoid conflicts, focusing on trade with unmatched credibility. Their ventures span the realm, with branches in every major city."
"To Duo Bao Pavilion, all are equal—only your wealth or wares matter, not your status," he continued. "Their strength is formidable, their connections vast. Even Ninth-Rank factions tread carefully around them."
Lan An's interest deepened, muttering, "First Sacred Lotus Academy, now Duo Bao Pavilion. Truly terrifying powers."
As a former "trash" of the Lan Clan, such knowledge had been beyond his reach.
Curious, he pressed, "Besides Sacred Lotus Academy and Duo Bao Pavilion, are there other mighty factions that shun worldly disputes?"
Chen Jiang's eyes gleamed with awe. "Tian Ji Hall, the most enigmatic. They rarely appear publicly. I know little, but their members are said to be divine seers, peering through past and future."
"More impressive than your 'heavens above, earth below' spiel?" Lan An teased, feigning shock.
Chen Jiang's face flushed, wishing for a hole to hide in. "How could I compare to them, Young Master? You jest," he mumbled, grinning awkwardly.
"Enough. Lead me to Duo Bao Pavilion," Lan An said, his tone firm.
Gazing at the edifice before him, Lan An could only utter, "Extravagant."
A five-story palace pierced the clouds, dominating the boulevard. Crafted from Goldstone—rarer than gold—its scale dwarfed stadiums from his past life. Cultivators streamed in and out, the air buzzing with fervor, yet all adhered to an unspoken order, no one daring to cause a scene.
"A titan indeed," Lan An marveled, noting sworn enemies glaring daggers yet restraining themselves under Duo Bao Pavilion's rules.
"Let's go, Young Master!" Chen Jiang said eagerly. Though too poor to buy, he relished ogling the pavilion's treasures.
Lan An nodded, following Chen Jiang toward the grand entrance.
Flanking the doors, two lithe maidens in red gowns bowed, their smiles radiant. "Welcome, honored guests."
Their grace was impeccable, devoid of judgment despite Chen Jiang's mere Qi Refining cultivation, while the maids were Early-Stage Foundation Establishment.
Lan An nodded inwardly. Such hospitality elevated his regard for Duo Bao Pavilion.
Stepping inside, a vast hall unfolded—twice a football field's size. Crystal cases displayed items by category: pills, arts, weapons. Each section was guarded by a brawny Foundation Establishment Peak cultivator. A jade-inlaid staircase spiraled to the second floor.
"The spiritual energy here is dense," Lan An remarked, savoring the opulence.
"Duo Bao Pavilion builds on spirit veins," Chen Jiang explained. "Rich qi is one of their lures."
"May I assist you, Young Masters?" a silken voice inquired. A woman in her thirties approached, her purple cheongsam accentuating her allure. Her voluptuous figure swayed with each step, her crimson lips curved in a welcoming smile, her willow brows framing gem-like eyes.
Gulp.
Chen Jiang swallowed hard, hearts practically dancing in his eyes.
Lan An, though struck by her charm, found her wanting compared to his beloved. Her mature allure was notable, but his women would surpass her in time. "And you are?" he asked, composed.
"This one is Cheng Bi, a steward of Duo Bao Pavilion. How may I serve you?" Cheng Bi replied, her gaze meeting Lan An's silver eye. A Nascent Soul cultivator, she felt a fleeting sense of being seen through, elevating her estimation of this youth.
"Steward Cheng Bi, I wish to sell some items. What's the process?" Lan An asked evenly.
"Follow me to the trading area. What do you wish to sell?" Cheng Bi asked, leading them.
"Beast corpses," Lan An replied, unhurried.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Cheng Bi's eyes, swiftly masked by her smile. Beast corpses were valuable, but this youth's age suggested low-tier kills in small numbers—a trivial transaction. She'd only approached due to his enigmatic eye and unreadable aura.
They entered a spacious trading room where two elders meticulously appraised items. "What type of beast corpses?" Cheng Bi asked, her lips parting. "First-Tier fetches 50 Lower-Grade Spirit Stones, Second-Tier 100, Third-Tier 500 due to their beast cores."
Lan An glanced at Chen Jiang, unfamiliar with market rates.
Chen Jiang nodded. The prices were slightly below market, but Duo Bao Pavilion's service justified it.
"Agreed. Please appraise and settle," Lan An said, nodding to Cheng Bi. His Black Skull Ring glimmered.
Before the stunned gazes of Cheng Bi and Chen Jiang, beast corpses piled up—First to Third-Tier, a menagerie of species forming a small mountain. The appraising elders paused, drawn to the spectacle.
Keng, received 10 Prestige Points, 10 Prestige Points, 10 Prestige Points.
The System chimed, noting their awe. Lan An muted the notifications, annoyed by the constant pings.
"By the heavens, how many beasts did he slay?" Chen Jiang muttered, gawking at Lan An as if he were a ghost.
"Your name, Young Master? How many corpses?" Cheng Bi asked, her tone grave. Even she would need time to amass such a haul, and this youth was barely sixteen.
"Call me Xiao Nan. Please tally and pay. I trust Duo Bao Pavilion's integrity," Lan An said calmly. He needed spirit stones to navigate the world. These corpses were spoils from his relentless skill training in Shan Mu Forest, their numbers lost to his memory.
"Very well," Cheng Bi said, signaling the elders. They began their count.
"Steward, 169 First-Tier, 96 Second-Tier, 14 Third-Tier corpses," an elder reported after an hour.
"Your total is 26,400 Lower-Grade Spirit Stones," Cheng Bi said, mildly shocked. "Would you prefer Upper or Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones?"
"One Upper-Grade equals 100 Lower-Grade, one Supreme-Grade equals 1000 Lower-Grade," Jin'er clarified in Lan An's mind.
"Convert to 260 Upper-Grade and 400 Lower-Grade Spirit Stones," Lan An said.
"Done." Cheng Bi handed him a small pouch. Lan An stored it in his Black Skull Ring without checking, earning a glint of approval in her eyes.
"Anything else, Young Master?" she asked warmly.
Lan An paused, then swiftly knocked Chen Jiang unconscious, startling Cheng Bi and the elders. "Does Duo Bao Pavilion ensure client confidentiality?" he asked.
"Absolutely," Cheng Bi replied, her lips curving, though irked by his doubt. "It's our creed."
"Then I'll sell this," Lan An said, producing a slender sword.
"Earth-Grade artifact?" Cheng Bi's eyes lit up, but recognition dawned. "The Han Clan's Ice Slaughter Sword?"
"Indeed. Will Duo Bao Pavilion buy it?" Lan An nodded, unperturbed. Taken from Han Qing, it was useless to him and risky to keep, given the Han Clan's Seventh-Rank might.
"What don't we dare buy?" Cheng Bi said, her chest puffing with pride. The elders nodded confidently. "Earth-Grade artifacts fetch high prices. The Ice Slaughter Sword suits most cultivators here, so we'll offer 800 Upper-Grade Spirit Stones. Agreed?"
"Convert to 80 Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones," Lan An said after a moment.
Cheng Bi closed her eyes, transmitting a message. A graceful maid soon arrived, presenting a storage ring. She bowed to Cheng Bi and Lan An before withdrawing.
"Exactly 80 Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones. Please verify," Cheng Bi said, handing over the ring. Lan An was among her biggest clients this month.
"I'll take my leave. Until next time," Lan An said, clasping his hands, dragging the unconscious Chen Jiang.
"Wait, Young Master," Cheng Bi called.
Lan An turned, curious.
"In half a month, Duo Bao Pavilion will host an auction. I hope you'll attend. It won't disappoint," Cheng Bi said, producing a golden invitation and placing it in his hand.
"My thanks. I'll make time," Lan An said, accepting it before departing with Chen Jiang.
As his black-robed figure faded into the crowd, Cheng Bi's eyes gleamed with intrigue. "The Han Clan's in turmoil over a prodigy's disappearance, his soul tablet shattered. It seems this Xiao Nan is responsible," she murmured.
Turning to the void, she ordered, "Monitor this youth. Report any developments."
"Understood," a faint voice replied.
Beside her, the elders resumed their appraisals, as if oblivious to her words.