The Myriad Treasures Pavilion

The market town of Yellow Maple Valley bore a striking resemblance to the Green Ox Town of Han Li’s hometown. The entire marketplace consisted of a single street, running north to south. At the southern end stood dozens of buildings of varying sizes—some were multi-storied structures, others simple huts, creating a jagged and uneven skyline.

These were all properties of the Yellow Maple Sect, but only a small portion were still managed directly by sect disciples. The majority were rented out to cultivation families and rogue cultivators who did business here year-round. Most of the establishments were shops dealing in raw materials, talismans, and magic tools, alongside a single Five Elements Bookstore specializing in basic cultivation techniques, as well as two inns and a tavern catering to the daily needs of visitors.

Beyond the low-ranking duty disciples who staffed the market, a fixed number of Foundation Establishment experts were permanently stationed here to maintain order and prevent troublemakers.

The northern section of the street was left completely vacant, reserved for cultivators who wished to set up temporary stalls. Anyone who paid a low-grade spirit stone to the Yellow Maple Sect disciple in charge could display their wares on either side of the road for an entire day without interference. During that time, they would even receive protection from those same disciples, ensuring no enemy would dare take advantage of the opportunity to settle a grudge.

These measures, combined with the market town’s unique geographical location, had caused Yellow Maple Valley’s market to flourish year after year. Rare and valuable items occasionally emerged from the stalls, drawing ever more cultivators to hunt for treasures.

To avoid drawing attention, Han Li did not enter from the most convenient southern entrance. Instead, he circled around and approached from the north. Before stepping onto the street, he added a green bamboo hat to conceal his face, just in case someone here actually recognized him.

It was already afternoon when he arrived. A single glance down the main street showed it to be sparsely populated. This was only to be expected—after all, this was no mortal marketplace, crowded and bustling all day long. Those who came here were one-in-ten-thousand cultivators. To see this many was already quite a number.

Having reasoned this through, Han Li let out a self-deprecating sigh and turned toward the small stalls lining both sides of the street. He decided to first browse these booths for anything worth noting before moving on to the larger shops.

After completing a round of inspection, Han Li felt disappointed. Aside from three or four items that could barely be considered passable, the other talismans and magic tools were utterly useless to him—a waste of spirit stones to purchase. Not wanting to squander more time, he turned and headed directly for the major establishments.

“Seven Ingenuity Pavilion” “Wind-Drawing Studio” “Heavenly Works Tower” …

This time, Han Li did not rashly pick a shop at random. Instead, he strolled slowly along the street, mentally noting the names and sizes of each store. Only after finishing his survey did he select a building that seemed the most imposing and frequently visited by other cultivators—the Myriad Treasures Pavilion—and stepped inside.

Just from its name, one could tell the shop’s owner had great confidence in their wares. Han Li hoped that here he might find some truly rare treasures that would not send him away empty-handed.

The moment he entered, Han Li was caught slightly off guard.

A bright, spacious hall capable of holding dozens of people without feeling cramped. An exceptionally long counter crafted from precious red tung wood. Seven or eight attendants dressed in uniform blue robes. All of this projected an overwhelming sense of grandeur.

Inside the hall, two of the blue-robed attendants were explaining something to several cultivators who appeared to be customers.

Within the counter were displayed all manner of items—from their appearance, they were clearly things only cultivators could use. Everything was available, from the lowest-grade raw materials to the most commonly used talismans and magic tools.

Han Li smiled faintly. It seemed he had found the right place.

Just then, a blue-robed attendant approached, his face full of smiles. “What would you like to see, honored guest? Shall I make some recommendations? Our shop’s goods are absolutely guaranteed to satisfy every customer!”

“I want to look at some magic tools and talismans. Only the best—don’t bother showing me inferior products,” Han Li said flatly from beneath his bamboo hat.

The blue-robed attendant paused at this, but after carefully assessing Han Li’s bearing and confirming he was not joking, his smile grew even more genuine. He knew he had a major customer on his hands. Quickly, he ushered Han Li inside and personally led him up to the second-floor VIP room.

The furnishings upstairs were completely different from the main hall below. The space was much smaller, decorated with antique-style tables and chairs arranged with elegant comfort. What was most surprising was a precious incense burner in the corner of the room, from which a wisp of fragrant incense slowly rose, filling the air with a subtle sandalwood scent.

A refined, gentle-looking middle-aged man stood in the center of the room, holding an ancient scroll and reading aloud. He did not possess a trace of magical power—he appeared to be an ordinary mortal.

Han Li was somewhat taken aback. This place did not resemble a business premises at all; it looked more like the private study of some wealthy household.

Seeing Han Li ascend, the reading man unhurriedly closed his scroll. The blue-robed attendant who had accompanied Han Li stepped forward quickly and whispered a few words into his ear.

After listening, the middle-aged man clasped his hands in greeting and approached with a smile.

“I am Tian Boli, manager of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion. May I ask your esteemed name?”

“Li Feiyu,” Han Li replied without hesitation, borrowing his friend’s name once more.

“Brother Li, please have a seat.”

“Go brew a pot of top-grade Cloudgreen Tea,” the middle-aged man instructed the attendant as he guided Han Li to a seat.

“Is this Brother Li’s first visit to our establishment?” the middle-aged man asked courteously once Han Li was seated.

“Heh, Manager Tian has a good eye. It is indeed my first time patronizing your pavilion,” Han Li said, deliberately altering his voice to sound like a gruff, rough-tempered man.

“First time or not, it makes no difference! As long as you are willing to come here, it is an honor to our Myriad Treasures Pavilion. We will certainly ensure you are satisfied!” Manager Tian said with great confidence.

“If I can find everything I need in one place, I’d rather not trouble myself running around to multiple shops. I hope your establishment’s goods truly live up to the name,” Han Li said, with a tone that conveyed both skepticism and expectation.

“Hehe! Rest assured on that point, Brother Li. Our pavilion’s reputation on this street is second to none. If even our shop cannot satisfy you, then there is no need to bother visiting the others,” the manager said unhurriedly, radiating certainty.

At that moment, a maidservant appeared carrying a teapot and several cups. Before she had even reached the two men, a refined, elegant tea fragrance had already suffused the room.

“This is a special tea prepared by our pavilion, not easily found elsewhere. Not only is its fragrance exquisite, but it also invigorates the drinker’s spirit. Brother Li, please have a taste,” Manager Tian said, taking a small, self-satisfied sip after the maid had laid out the tea set and departed.

Han Li looked at the fragrant tea before him, then shook his head lightly and said with a hint of impatience:

“Manager Tian, we can drink tea later. Let’s first attend to business.”

“It seems Brother Li is a man of action. Very well, please wait a moment. I will be back shortly.” Manager Tian rose with a hint of regret, clasped his hands to Han Li, and left him alone as he descended the stairs.

After about the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, Manager Tian reappeared before Han Li, now carrying several brocade boxes of varying sizes.

“The attendant downstairs mentioned that Brother Li wants the best magic tools and talismans. I have therefore gone to our vault below and retrieved a few treasures I have kept for a long time. I present them for your perusal, hoping they may catch your eye,” Manager Tian said, patting the brocade boxes with a grin.

Han Li’s eyes lit up. His curiosity was thoroughly piqued regarding the contents of these boxes. He wondered what rare items the manager would consider treasures, and whether they would exceed his expectations.

Manager Tian laid the brocade boxes one by one on the table and opened them for Han Li to inspect. But as the boxes opened, Han Li sensed two streams of spiritual pressure, both far beyond his own cultivation level, lock onto him from somewhere unseen, firmly pinning down his every move.

Startled at first, Han Li quickly understood that this was the Myriad Treasures Pavilion’s security measure—a precaution for these treasures, meant to prevent him from suddenly lashing out and snatching the contents of the boxes. He relaxed at once, though he now had a new appreciation for the establishment’s strength.