Volume 5 Chapter 27

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Volume 5 Chapter 27: Preparation (Part 2)

Deep down, Xu Qingfan still had reservations about the "Treasure Pavilion."

Previously, when he left the "Treasure Pavilion" to return to Jiuhua Mountain, he suddenly noticed someone following him, seemingly related to the "Treasure Pavilion."

Moreover, the "Treasure Pavilion" itself was a very mysterious organization that appeared suddenly two thousand three hundred years ago, with no one knowing its origins. The identity of the owner of the "Treasure Pavilion" remained a secret. Over the years, the wealth accumulated by the "Treasure Pavilion" was presumably enormous, but how much wealth there was and its purpose remained unknown.

On his last visit to the "Treasure Pavilion," Xu Qingfan was astonished by the displayed power of the organization. The intricately designed floating pavilions and the use of formations and mystical abilities were beyond the capabilities of a Golden Core Stage cultivator. The hidden aura of the formations and barriers outside the floating pavilion were rarely seen in the cultivation world. As for the puppet girl inside, she could instantly convert into a combat strength equal to a Lingji Stage cultivator.

And then there’s the manager of the "Treasure Pavilion," Gu Fulu, who surprisingly has a cultivation level at the Fake Golden Core Stage. Considering that each cultivator market has a "Treasure Pavilion," it means there are nearly forty "Treasure Pavilions" throughout the Shenzhou Continent. If each manager is like Gu Fulu, with a cultivation level at the Fake Golden Core Stage, it means the "Treasure Pavilion" has at least one golden core cultivator and nearly forty Fake Golden Core Stage cultivators. This strength is comparable to any sect in the cultivation world, except for the six Holy Lands and the "Eight Wilderness Hall."

And that’s just the power they show on the surface; who knows how strong their hidden strength is? It’s really unimaginable.

Despite all the speculations about the "Treasure Pavilion," Xu Qingfan decided to visit it once more.

Although he suspected that the tracking incident after returning to the mountain might have been the work of the "Treasure Pavilion," they hadn’t actually done anything harmful to him. Besides, if they truly had malicious intentions towards Xu Qingfan, they could have acted against him while he was in the "Treasure Pavilion" with two disciples who had no cultivation powers.

So even though Xu Qingfan wasn’t sure if the "Treasure Pavilion" had sent people to follow him, at least for now, they didn’t seem to have any ill intentions towards him. Moreover, the "Treasure Pavilion" has operated for many years without any news of conflicts, maintaining a decent reputation.

The most important thing is that Xu Qingfan currently has nearly thirty bottles of elixirs that he doesn’t need and whose use he doesn’t know. From what Xu Qingfan knows, only the "Treasure Pavilion" has the ability to identify and purchase all of these. Xu Qingfan urgently needs spirit stones, so he has no choice but to visit the "Treasure Pavilion" again.

However, Xu Qingfan has now reached the early stage of the Real Golden Core Stage, so even if something unexpected happens at the "Treasure Pavilion," he’s confident he can escape safely.

※※※※

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Xu Qingfan reached the location of the "Treasure Pavilion." His body floated gently in the air about thirty meters above the ground. After casting a "Sky Eye Skill," he could see a floating pavilion silently hovering in front of him. It was resplendent in gold and jade, lavishly decorated, and grand in scale yet exquisitely delicate. The words "Treasure Pavilion" shone in golden light above the jade doors, projecting a strong sense of opulence.

Looking at the attic he had seen once before, Xu Qingfan kept wondering about the origin of the "Treasure Pavilion," yet he did nothing more, simply hovering in the air and waiting quietly.

Xu Qingfan knew that the people of the "Treasure Pavilion" must already be aware of his arrival.

Indeed, in just a moment, the jade-green door of the "Treasure Pavilion" before Xu Qingfan suddenly opened. Then, over a dozen puppets resembling young maidens flew out in unison and lined up quietly in two rows, as if welcoming Xu Qingfan. Their clothes fluttered in the wind, like heavenly fairies.

Next, Xu Qingfan saw a large, merchant-like cultivator emerge from the "Treasure Pavilion," walking towards him in midair, smiling as he said, "After a year, I meet Taoist Friend Xu again. I haven’t heard news of you this past year, so I wonder where you’ve been cultivating?"

This cultivator was none other than Gu Fulu, the manager of the "Treasure Pavilion."

Hearing Gu Fulu’s seemingly caring inquiry, Xu Qingfan simply smiled lightly, not responding directly. He just said, "After secluded cultivation, I found that I was short of spirit stones, so I must seek Manager Gu Fulu’s help again."

Hearing Xu Qingfan’s words, Gu Fulu’s small eyes squinted into a line with a wide smile. He approached Xu Qingfan, gesturing invitingly, and said, "It’s not help; it’s Taoist Friend Xu doing business with me."

Xu Qingfan smiled lightly again but refrained from pleasantries and followed Gu Fulu into the "Treasure Pavilion."

Although it was his second visit, upon seeing the luxurious decorations inside the "Treasure Pavilion," Xu Qingfan couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe. Just these decorations, even if made with mundane materials, would cost numerous spirit stones.

On this day, "Treasure Pavilion" was unexpectedly empty, with no customers inside the large building, only Xu Qingfan, Gu Fulu, and dozens of puppet dolls resembling young maidens.

After sitting down, Xu Qingfan looked around and then said, "It’s unusually quiet in the ‘Treasure Pavilion’ today."

Gu Fulu shook his head and slowly said, "We can’t have this many guests every day, and besides, our ‘Treasure Pavilion’ only deals in high-end merchandise, so naturally, there are fewer customers."

After a pause, Gu Fulu looked at Xu Qingfan, a subtle undertone in his voice as he spoke softly, "Moreover, I’ve received word that an important guest is coming today, so we’re not planning to do business with anyone else, focusing solely on these esteemed visitors to avoid scaring off other customers. If not for the arrival of Taoist Friend Xu, I might have had to turn even you away."

Hearing Gu Fulu’s words, Xu Qingfan’s face remained impassive, but he felt a slight shock inside. What esteemed guests could make Gu Fulu stop his business? Moreover, perhaps it was just Xu Qingfan’s imagination, but Gu Fulu’s tone suggested these ‘guests’ might not have peaceful intentions, and Gu Fulu seemed ready to respond with force if necessary.

"Could the esteemed guests Gu Fulu mentioned actually refer to me?"

Xu Qingfan considered this idea but quickly dismissed it.

When Xu Qingfan descended the mountain this time, he disturbed no one and didn’t meet any acquaintances. He only made an appearance at the cultivator market, but even if Gu Fulu found out that Xu Qingfan showed up there, it seemed unlikely he could know Xu Qingfan would come to the "Treasure Pavilion" so precisely on this day.

Once Xu Qingfan concluded that he wasn’t the esteemed guest Gu Fulu referred to, he grew even more puzzled. If it wasn’t him, then who was it? Who could possibly cause "Treasure Pavilion" to close for a day?

Most importantly, Gu Fulu once said that there would be no business today, yet why did he bring Xu Qingfan into the "Treasure Pavilion"? Even though Xu Qingfan had done some business here before and the name "Xu Fan" was known in the cultivation world, Xu Qingfan did not feel he was special enough to warrant such attention.

"Could it be that the important guest Gu Fulu mentioned is somehow related to me?"

Xu Qingfan thought to himself, feeling a sense of trouble approaching.

Before Xu Qingfan could ponder more on Gu Fulu’s meaningful words, Gu Fulu suddenly returned to his usual demeanor and smiled, "But what I didn’t expect was that Taoist Friend Xu’s cultivation level would improve so quickly. A year and a half ago, taoist friend was at the late stage of the Fake Golden Core Stage, but in less than two years, taoist friend has already reached the Real Golden Core Stage. It seems that even the elusive path to immortality might not be unreachable for you."

Xu Qingfan came down this time only intending to find some spirit stones and herbs to prepare for his own seclusion and for his disciples’ training, not wanting any trouble. Thinking that there might be some changes today at the "Treasure Pavilion," he preferred not to linger. After hearing Gu Fulu’s compliment, he merely responded with a light courtesy and then, with a wave of his sleeve, the pills he had obtained over the years from defeated evil cultivators appeared on the table beside them.

"These pills were acquired from some evil cultivators I’ve slain over the years, but their uses are unknown to me. I would appreciate it if Manager Gu could take a look. If they are of no use to me, I wish to sell them to your esteemed pavilion in exchange for some spirit stones and a couple of magical artifacts."