The Search for Immortality

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Volume 4 Chapter 101: Returning to the Mountain

"Dear Taoist friend, as far as I know, there’s a place called the ‘Treasure Pavilion’ near this market that specializes in exotic treasures. Do you happen to know its exact location?"

Hearing Xu Qingfan’s question, the Taoist was momentarily taken aback. The market and the ‘Treasure Pavilion’ have long been competing for business. Many cultivators with rare treasures tend to sell directly to the ‘Treasure Pavilion’, leaving the market with ordinary goods. Thus, the relationship between the two is not good, and most cultivators are aware of this. Yet, it was surprising that someone was inquiring about the ‘Treasure Pavilion’ from him.

However, upon seeing that Xu Qingfan was a cultivator at the Condensed Core Stage, the Taoist dared not delay and quickly said, "About eighty miles to the south, there’s a floating pavilion hidden by illusions; that’s the ‘Treasure Pavilion’."

After a brief pause, the Taoist couldn’t help but add, "But, senior, the ‘Treasure Pavilion’ isn’t like our humble market, which is set up for the convenience of all cultivators. They aim for profit. While they have many good items, they’re very expensive, so you should be cautious if you go there."

Xu Qingfan paid no mind to the Taoist’s attempt to instigate conflict and simply smiled, saying, "Thank you for the warning, Taoist friend. Unfortunately, what I need isn’t available in the market, so I must go to the ‘Treasure Pavilion’."

With that, Xu Qingfan cupped his hands in thanks to the Taoist and, along with Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu, left the market, flying toward the location the Taoist had mentioned. This left only the Taoist behind, continuously complaining about the ‘Treasure Pavilion’ stealing business.

Although the Taoist claimed that their market was for the convenience of cultivators, they too take a commission with every transaction.

…

After leaving the market, Xu Qingfan rode the cloud, taking Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu to the location mentioned by the sage. The distance of eighty miles was covered in an instant.

Xu Qingfan knew the sage would not deceive him, so upon reaching the spot, he used the "Sky Eye Skill" to search carefully. He discovered, floating over thirty yards above, a colorful mist swirling into the shape of a pavilion, which should be the legendary "Treasure Pavilion."

It is said that in the Shenzhou Continent, for every cultivator market, there is a "Treasure Pavilion" nearby. However, unlike the cultivator market where people can freely trade, the "Treasure Pavilion" is responsible for buying and selling without face-to-face interactions, profiting from the price differences.

Moreover, unlike the cultivator market where any item can be bought or sold, items must meet a certain value to be sold through the "Treasure Pavilion."

A rumor highlights the value of items within the "Treasure Pavilion." According to a cultivator who frequently visits, he has never seen an item priced below five hundred high-grade spirit stones, indicating the preciousness of the goods.

Consequently, the "Treasure Pavilion" and the cultivator market have gradually developed distinct roles. The "Treasure Pavilion" has almost monopolized the trade of rare items, while the cultivator market, though occasionally offering valuable things, is mostly filled with lesser goods.

With these thoughts in mind, Xu Qingfan flew to a height parallel to the airborne pavilion, admiring the illusion that surrounded the "Treasure Pavilion."

Xu Qingfan had passed this location many times before, yet had never realized the existence of the aerial pavilion until this careful search. The quality of the pavilion’s external illusion was evident, let alone the marvel of the structure itself, floating thirty yards in the air for over a hundred years.

"The person who created the ‘Treasure Pavilion’ must be much more than just the legendary money-making expert of the cultivation world, to build such a wondrous pavilion and cast such a successful illusion."

Surveying the loft before him, Xu Qingfan secretly thought.

Just as Xu Qingfan was pondering how to enter this "Treasure Pavilion," the loft in front of him suddenly radiated a spectrum of colors. As the dazzling light spread, the surrounding mist vanished, revealing a stunningly elegant little building before Xu Qingfan’s eyes.

Then, the door of the loft suddenly opened, and over ten young maidens flew out, forming two rows to bow and welcome Xu Qingfan. With bright eyes and lovely smiles, each was a beauty, leaving Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu behind Xu Qingfan utterly astonished. They hadn’t expected the renowned "Treasure Pavilion" of the cultivation world to welcome guests in such a worldly manner.

However, Xu Qingfan detected from the waves of Spirit Qi emanating from the maidens that they were not real people but incredibly lifelike puppets. Such puppets were worth thousands of high-grade spirit stones in the cultivation world, yet here in the "Treasure Pavilion," they were merely for welcoming guests.

Next, a chubby man leisurely descended from the sky, emerging from the loft with a merchant’s sly grin on his face, indistinguishable from a worldly trader. But Xu Qingfan could clearly sense that his cultivation level was no weaker than his own.

The man approached Xu Qingfan, clasped his hands, and said with a beaming smile, "I sensed the arrival of a distinguished guest and didn’t expect it to be the renowned ‘Palm Spring and Autumn’ Taoist Friend Xu. It’s truly an honor for our ‘Treasure Pavilion.’"

Xu Qingfan was slightly taken aback but, considering the obvious features of his mask, the purple jade at his waist, and Little Black perched on his shoulder, coupled with the recent spread of the name "Xu Fan" in the cultivation world, he took it in stride and politely responded, "Taoist friend is too kind. May I know who you are…?"

The man, still smiling, replied, "I am the manager of this ‘Treasure Pavilion,’ Gu Fulu, commonly known as Fatty Gu."

With that, Gu Fulu led Xu Qingfan into the loft. As expected, the "Treasure Pavilion" was decorated with extravagant luxury, resplendent and magnificent. Yet Xu Qingfan paid no heed to these; he was only concerned with whether the "Treasure Pavilion" held what he desired. Similarly, Zhang Ningmei found such décor a bit tasteless. In contrast, Bai Yu, who had visited the palace of Yunluo Country, the strongest nation in the mortal world, was now somewhat stunned.

Since the "Treasure Pavilion" only sells rare and precious items, it is not as bustling as the market. Xu Qingfan saw only two customers inside, both possessing Condensed Core Stage cultivation, stronger than those usually found in the market. Although the number of transactions in the "Treasure Pavilion" is fewer, the profit is much higher than the cultivator market.

After Gu Fulu led the three into the lounge, a beautiful puppet served them tea. Gu Fulu then looked at Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu standing behind Xu Qingfan and curiously asked, "Taoist Friend Xu, are these two your new disciples?"

Because Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu had no cultivation but were always following Xu Qingfan closely, Gu Fulu guessed their identity.

Xu Qingfan took a sip of tea and smiled, "They are indeed."

Saying this, Xu Qingfan coughed a few times and then explained the purpose of his visit to Gu Fulu.

"Yellow Jade?" Gu Fulu looked at Xu Qingfan with puzzlement, evidently unsure of why he needed it.

It is known that "Yellow Jade," besides harmonizing Spirit Qi, has no other use. But due to its rarity, it is very expensive in the cultivation world, making it seldom needed.

Seeing Gu Fulu’s expression, Xu Qingfan asked curiously, "What? Don’t you have any?"

Gu Fulu laughed, "Of course, I have some, but since there’s little demand for ‘Yellow Jade,’ I don’t have much stock in the ‘Treasure Pavilion.’ I currently have only five pieces."

"What’s the price?" Xu Qingfan asked.

Gu Fulu smiled and said, "Each ‘Yellow Jade’ costs eight hundred high-tier spirit stones, or rare treasures of equal value plus fifty high-tier spirit stones."

Xu Qingfan nodded slightly. The price was higher than he expected, but still acceptable. He said, "I’ll take all five ‘Yellow Jade’."

As he spoke, Xu Qingfan flipped his right sleeve, revealing the artifacts he had acquired from "Lie Three," "Zhang Si," and "Zhang Wu," aside from the "World Defying Sword." He asked, "I wonder if these artifacts are worth forty-five hundred spirit stones?"

The three artifacts Xu Qingfan had obtained from Number Two were useful to him, so he didn’t show them.

Although Xu Qingfan wasn’t short of spirit stones at the moment, taking out four thousand spirit stones at once was still a bit stressful. He decided to sell those evil artifacts he couldn’t use.

Seeing Gu Fulu’s eyes flicker at the artifacts, Xu Qingfan thought he was surprised by the evil aura on them, so he explained, "These artifacts were acquired after I killed some evil cultivators, which is why they carry an evil aura. I can’t use them, so I’m selling them to you, taoist friend."

Gu Fulu showed a look of realization, then carefully examined the artifacts before looking up and smiling, "These artifacts are worth about five thousand spirit stones. Taoist friend, apart from the five ‘Yellow Jade’ you can get here, you will also receive five hundred spirit stones."

Xu Qingfan smiled and nodded.

Then, several puppet-like figures resembling women came forward carrying trays. The first tray held five palm-sized pieces of yellow jade, exactly what Xu Qingfan needed. The other trays carried five hundred spirit stones.

"Please count them, Taoist friend," Gu Fulu said with a smile.

Xu Qingfan nodded slightly, carefully verifying the authenticity of the yellow jade, and then placed both the yellow jade and the spirit stones into his sleeve.

After completing this, Xu Qingfan, with no regard for Gu Fulu’s requests to stay, took his leave with Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu.

Outside the airborne pavilion, Gu Fulu watched Xu Qingfan depart, his cunning smile vanishing, and suddenly said in a deep voice, "Follow him."

As Gu Fulu’s words fell, a ripple in space appeared not far behind him, then quickly returned to calm.

Without hesitation, Gu Fulu turned back to the pavilion and hurried into a hidden room.

In the room stood an altar with a demon-like statue. Gu Fulu stepped up to the statue and suddenly sprayed a mouthful of blood onto it.

Then, something strange happened. The statue rapidly absorbed the blood clinging to its surface, its eyes glowing red, and an ethereal voice echoed throughout the room.

"Number Two, do you have any business with me?"

As the demon statue began to change, Gu Fulu immediately knelt down. Hearing this question, Gu Fulu quickly recounted to the owner of the voice about Xu Qingfan’s arrival earlier. Then, in a confident tone, Gu Fulu said, "Those magical artifacts, I have observed them carefully, they belong to ‘Lie Three,’ ‘Zhang Si,’ and ‘Zhang Wu’."

After listening to Gu Fulu, there was a moment of silence, as though Gu Fulu’s master was contemplating. After a long pause, the ethereal voice spoke again.

"The original ‘Lie’ and ‘Zhang’ have been killed by ‘Huang’. Now there are new ‘Lie’ and ‘Zhang’ to replace them. We don’t need to concern ourselves with them."

"But, isn’t it possible Xu Fan has already discovered our organization?"

"We have long been exposed. The Righteous Alliance was established precisely to oppose us. Recently, the low-level members involved in the ‘Tian Sha Plan’ have been completely eradicated by the Righteous Alliance. So now is the time for us to avoid confrontation. Xu Fan has significant influence in the cultivation world, and eliminating him might alert the Righteous Alliance again. Therefore, you need to do nothing but manage the ‘Treasure Pavilion’ for me and quietly wait for the final catastrophe to come."

"Yes."

…

A month and a half later, Xu Qingfan finally arrived at the foot of Jiuhua Mountain with Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu. He originally wouldn’t have taken so long, but ever since he left the "Treasure Pavilion," he vaguely sensed someone was following him in the shadows. To shake off his pursuer, he spent extra time.

As Xu Qingfan gazed at the familiar scenery of Jiuhua Mountain in front of him, he thought of Ting’er, Jin Qinghan, and others in the mountains. His heart felt a wave of warmth. After the consecutive battles, Xu Qingfan was especially looking forward to the peaceful time of cultivation at Jiuhua Mountain.

Xu Qingfan pointed at the Jiuhua Mountain ahead and said to Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu behind him, "Here, you will have a new beginning."

A new beginning, isn’t it that way for everyone?