The Inch Gold Pavilion

Chapter 523: Stirrings Beyond the Seas — The Inch Gold Pavilion

At these words, the others fell silent.

With two fellow female cultivators standing nearby, they could hardly voice any open agreement or opposition.

Han Li rubbed his chin, his face betraying nothing out of the ordinary.

He had no need for a Human Furnace to increase his cultivation, and even less desire to buy himself an encumbrance.

Though he found the plight of these female cultivators somewhat pitiable, and felt a faint, vague discomfort, he could barely protect himself. Feigning blindness was the only option.

On the stage, the two female cultivators, having received no bids, were led away once more with disappointment etched on their faces.

Seeing this, Xu Yun smiled faintly and explained:

"These two women are too shallow in their cultivation. Though they volunteer to be furnaces, they offer no substantial benefit to cultivators of even slightly higher standing, hence the failed auction. That said, it is not an absolute rule. If some Foundation Establishment Fellow Daoist takes a fancy to their looks, it would not be strange for a high price to be paid."

The brocade-clad man gave a few dry laughs but said nothing. Xu Yun continued chatting as if nothing had happened, showing no concern at all.

The auction that followed produced a few items rarely seen in the Inner Star Seas, but Han Li had already grown bored. He had no desire to waste further time here.

He was just thinking of some excuse to leave when Xu Yun, seemingly sensing Han Li's impatience, spoke up unprompted:

"There is nothing of real quality in today's auction. The true treasures only appear during the annual joint grand auction. You can all come back then to see them. For now, let me take you all to see other parts of Black Stone City."

The brocade-clad man and the others naturally had no objection.

Even if any auction item had caught their eye, the spirit stones they carried had long been extorted from them at the teleportation gate.

So, with a nod from the group, Xu Yun led them out of the auction hall. Accompanied by the mortal woman, they exited the Pearl Pavilion through another passage.

…

"That cluster of a few dozen stone houses houses temporary lodgings for incoming mortal men and women. Any mortal seeking survival in Black Stone City must register there first, for ease of management. But if no one hires them within a set time, they must leave the city immediately. The mortal women you saw earlier at the Pearl Pavilion all came from there."

"That building of equal size over there is the city's largest raw material shop, the 'Inch Gold Pavilion.' It specializes in selling all kinds of rare materials. They say that as long as you can name it, this shop can produce it. Though that is an exaggeration, it is still quite famous!"

"The three stone houses right next to each other are…"

Xu Yun continued walking along the street with the group, speaking casually with practiced familiarity.

When Han Li heard this, his mind stirred, and he stopped in his tracks.

"Fellow Daoist Qu? Is something the matter?" the scar-faced cultivator asked, a bit puzzled.

The brocade-clad man and the others turned to look at Han Li, their expressions just as confused.

"I have some private matters to handle alone. Let us part ways here. Of course, if fate allows, we may meet again." Han Li looked up at the sky, then spoke in a calm, level tone. Though his voice was not loud, it carried an unmistakable finality.

Xu Yun and the brocade-clad man surnamed Yi were both taken aback.

They naturally did not want to let a cultivator of Han Li's caliber leave. They were about to try to persuade him to stay when a sudden icy glint flashed in Han Li's eyes. An inexplicable chill seized them both, and the words of objection they had formed died in their throats. They could only murmur a vague acknowledgment. Then they watched as Han Li walked into the Inch Gold Pavilion and disappeared from sight.

Only then did the two exchange a startled glance. Both were drenched in cold sweat. The others looked on in confusion, unaware of what had just happened.

"That man…" the brocade-clad man began with a dry laugh, as if about to say something.

"Since Fellow Daoist Qu is unwilling to accompany us, he must have his own plans. Let me take you all to look at another street instead!" For some reason, Xu Yun cut off the man's words and quickly headed toward a different street.

Then, a sound transmission entered the brocade-clad man's ear.

"Fellow Daoist Yi! That man's actions are inscrutable. It is best we keep our distance. One careless move could invite a deadly calamity. That Fellow Daoist Qu's cultivation is far beyond yours or mine. We should not even discuss him behind his back."

Hearing this, the brocade-clad man's expression shifted several times. He glanced at the Inch Gold Pavilion once more, then nodded faintly. He led the others to follow Xu Yun.

Meanwhile, Han Li had already been guided by a clear-faced youth into an elegant, quiet room.

Though the Inch Gold Pavilion appeared from the outside to be a single massive stone house, it was divided into many private chambers, each staffed by a specialist selling materials of a specific category.

Han Li wasted no time. As soon as he entered, he requested to see the manager.

An ordinary cultivator would not have been granted such an audience so easily. But when Han Li casually released a sliver of his Core Formation aura, someone immediately and respectfully escorted him to this VIP room.

A Core Formation cultivator, even in Black Stone City, was not to be treated lightly.

Han Li had only been in the room for a moment when an ordinary-looking old man entered with a smile.

"This Fellow Daoist looks unfamiliar. Is this your first time at our Inch Gold Pavilion? I am Li Xun, a manager here. Greetings!" The old man cupped his hands in a slight bow toward Han Li. He, too, was a Core Formation initial-stage cultivator.

"It is indeed my first visit. I have a few matters about which I wished to seek your advice, Fellow Daoist Li. I hope you do not mind." Han Li's expression was neither servile nor arrogant.

"Speak freely. Li will do his utmost to assist." Manager Li was quite generous. Without even asking what the matter was, he agreed readily.

This open and straightforward demeanor left a good first impression on Han Li. Still, the old man could not see through Han Li's disguise technique, and showed no surprise at Han Li's sickly, middle-aged appearance.

Han Li smiled faintly.

"I wish to purchase a certain medicinal herb for pill refining. However, I only know its name from the ancient era, and have been unable to find it anywhere. I came here to test my luck with you, Fellow Daoist Li."

"Haha! That is a trivial matter. No problem at all." Hearing this, Li Xun's heart relaxed. He immediately beamed. Then he turned to the door and spoke coldly:

"Someone, go summon Gu Yu."

"Yes, sir!" A young attendant outside dashed off promptly.

"Please wait a moment. This Gu Yu may only be at the Qi Condensation stage, but he has spent years researching ancient pill formulas and spirit herbs. I trust he will not disappoint you, Fellow Daoist Qu." Li Xun turned back to Han Li with a smile.

Han Li's face showed a trace of delight. He was about to speak when a red streak of light shot into the room from outside, circled the ceiling once, and landed precisely in the old man's hand. It was a transmission talisman.

A flicker of surprise crossed Han Li's face as the talisman ignited in the old man's hand.

Manager Li stared at the flame for a moment, then turned his palm over and extinguished the light. He looked up at Han Li with a surprised expression.

"How rude of me, Li. I did not realize you, Brother Qu, only arrived in Black Stone City today. I should have offered you a proper welcome!" The old man's warmth instantly increased by several degrees.

In that brief moment, he had already ascertained Han Li's general background. Han Li was somewhat taken aback, but his face remained calm, with a faint, measured smile, betraying nothing of his thoughts.

"You are too kind. I expended considerable effort to reach this Savage Flood Island. I would prefer not to draw too much attention." Han Li deflected the comment lightly.

Seeing Han Li's demeanor, the old man knew he did not wish to discuss the matter further. Tactfully, he changed the subject, chatting about some interesting anecdotes of Savage Flood Island, which Han Li found genuinely engaging.

Before long, a man in his thirties, dressed in the garb of a scholar, entered the room. He bowed deeply and said respectfully,

"Gu Yu pays his respects to both elders. May I ask what instructions you have for this junior?"

His features were handsome and refined, with a long, jet-black beard and bright, piercing eyes. He carried an air of otherworldly elegance.

Manager Li gave him a slight nod, then raised a hand to bid him rise.

"This Senior Qu has some questions about ancient spirit herbs. Answer him honestly." The old man's tone was calm and dispassionate.

"Understood. This junior will do his utmost." Gu Yu straightened up and replied solemnly.