Myriad Treasures Pavilion

The twilight deepened, and the private room at the Yuelai Inn was brightly lit.

The eight-immortal table was laden with Qingyang City's specialty delicacies. The Drunken Immortal Tower's signature crystal shrimp dumplings were crystal clear, and the braised pork knuckle from the old shop on South Street was rich but not greasy.

Qin Lie raised a celadon wine pot and poured Su Yu a cup of amber-colored strong liquor.

"Come, Brother Su, try this Fiery Cloud!"

Qin Lie's dark face was flushed red. This was brewed with Vermillion Fruit, a specialty of Crimson Flame Valley. A single cup could knock out an ordinary person!

Su Yu took a shallow sip and felt a burning sensation in his throat.

The liquor of the Nine Heavens Continent is indeed extraordinary. It's so much stronger than those so-called high-proof liquors from my previous life.

He calmly circulated the Purple Sun Art, slowly dissolving the alcoholic energy.

After three rounds of drinks, everyone gradually opened up.

Qin Lie slapped the table and said, "Speaking of our Great Xia Kingdom, the most powerful are undoubtedly the One Pavilion, One Valley, and Three Sects!"

He counted on his thick fingers: "Mysterious Heaven Pavilion, Crimson Flame Valley, Falling Water Sect, Misty Cloud Sect, Green Wood Sect..."

"Although the Mysterious Heaven Pavilion and Crimson Flame Valley are both third-grade sects," Liu Fei interjected, lightly tapping her wine glass with a delicate finger, "it's said that the Pavilion Master is sworn brothers with the current Xia Emperor, and half the generals in the court come from the Mysterious Heaven Pavilion."

Upon learning that Su Yu was an Inner Sect Disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect, Qin Yue's almond-shaped eyes widened. She counted on her slender fingers as if reciting a familiar list: "I know Zhao Fusheng, the Floating Life Sword of the Misty Cloud Sect, Lei Ming, the Thunder Hand, and Bai Yingxue, the Cold Frost Sword..."

She suddenly slapped the table. "That's right! And Ye Chen, the Falling Dust Sword!"

Su Yu shook his head with a wry smile.

As a legitimate disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect, I seem to know less about the sect's prodigies than outsiders.

"Brother Su is still young," Qin Lie said, his tongue thick as he slung an arm around Su Yu's shoulder.

"With your talent, within three years, the Great Xia Kingdom will surely..."

Before he could finish, the seven-foot-tall strongman slid under the table, snoring like thunder.

Liu Fei helplessly exchanged a look with Chen Mo, who then struggled to haul Qin Lie to the side.

She apologized to Su Yu, "Captain has lost his composure due to drink. I hope Young Hero isn't offended."

"It's nothing," Su Yu said, raising his cup for a light sip. "Brother Qin is straightforward and true to himself."

The moonlight outside grew brighter. Liu Fei tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "The auction tomorrow is scheduled for the afternoon. If Young Hero has free time, you could visit the Myriad Treasures Pavilion first."

A hint of shrewdness flashed in her eyes. "There are often rare items from sects there. Perhaps you can find an opportunity."

After the guests departed, Su Yu returned to his room.

The moonlight was like water. Su Yu sat cross-legged on the futon in his room.

He held the Magic Wind Wolf's Beast Core in his palm, which glowed with a faint greenish light under the candlelight.

With a light touch of his fingertip, he could clearly feel the surging spiritual power fluctuations within. This Level 2 Low Rank Beast Core contained at least ten times the energy of a Level 1 High Rank Beast Core.

Buzz—

The ancient sword deep within his soul suddenly trembled, its blade emitting a hungry hum.

The corners of Su Yu's lips curved upward. "Brother Sword, I knew you couldn't wait."

Before he finished speaking, the Beast Core in his palm suddenly turned into a stream of green light and was completely devoured by the ancient sword.

Instantly, a torrent of spiritual power surged back from the depths of his soul, rushing through his meridians and throughout his body.

Su Yu immediately circulated the Purple Sun Art, and a faint purple halo appeared around him, guiding this pure energy to his limbs and bones.

His meridians felt slightly swollen under the surge of spiritual power, and the vortex in his dantian grew at a visible rate.

When the last trace of spiritual power was refined, Su Yu slowly opened his eyes, a purple glint flashing and disappearing within them.

His cultivation had steadily settled at the late stage of the second level of the Spirit Condensation Realm.

"It truly is extraordinary..." he mused, gazing at the powder in his palm.

Not only was the total amount of spiritual power in a Level 2 Low Rank Beast Core far greater than that of a Level 1 High Rank one, but its purity was also on a completely different level.

The energy of ten Level 1 High Rank Beast Cores combined might be comparable to a Level 2 Low Rank one, but the impurities would greatly reduce absorption efficiency.

The sound of the night watchman's clapper came from outside the window; it was already past midnight.

Perhaps I can find more Level 2 Beast Cores there tomorrow. If I can get another one, reaching the peak of the second level will be within reach.

As the morning light faintly appeared, Su Yu stepped into Qingyang City's most renowned establishment, the Myriad Treasures Pavilion.

The moment he entered, the mingled scent of sandalwood and spiritual herbs hit him, invigorating his senses.

The pavilion's interior was extremely luxurious. On the shelves made of rosewood, various rare treasures shimmered under the effect of formations.

"This young master looks unfamiliar. Is this your first time visiting our humble shop?"

A sharp-eyed shop assistant hurried over, his gaze lingering on the Lone Swan Sword at Su Yu's waist for a moment, making his attitude even more respectful.

Su Yu nodded slightly, his eyes scanning the prices on the shelves.

A hundred-year-old Ganoderma lucidum was priced at thirty Low-grade Spirit Stones, and a bottle of Qi Condensing Pills was two hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones... The prices were not cheap, but they were considered fair.

What do you need, sir?

The shopkeeper said with a smile, "Our Myriad Treasures Pavilion is a golden signboard in Qingyang City. We offer great quality at low prices, guaranteed to satisfy you."

Do you have any Level 2 Beast Cores? Su Yu asked directly.

The shopkeeper's eyes lit up. "Sir, you've come at the perfect time! Usually, these are all booked by the Pill Refining Pavilion and Artifact Crafting Pavilion, but today, we happen to have the last ten Magic Wind Wolf Beast Cores left."

He lowered his voice. "They're Level 2 Low Rank, top quality!"

What's the price?

Normally, they're one hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones each.

The shopkeeper rubbed his hands. "Today, I'll give you a special price, sir – just fifty Low-grade Spirit Stones."

Su Yu calculated in his mind: Ten Level 1 High Rank Beast Cores would only cost about ten Low-grade Spirit Stones on the market. The price of these Level 2 Beast Cores was five times higher.

He turned around subtly, pretending to look at other goods. "This price... seems a bit inflated."

Sir, please see reason!

The shopkeeper hurried to follow. "Beast Cores are really scarce right now; both pill refining and artifact crafting depend on them. Fifty Spirit Stones is already a loss-making price!"

Su Yu continued to pace through the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, his expression unchanged. Suddenly, the Ancient Sword deep within his soul trembled violently.

This time, the sensation was stronger than ever before.

The Ancient Sword's yearning was almost frantic, like a starved beast catching the scent of blood.

Su Yu forced himself to remain calm and casually approached the display case. He discovered that what had triggered the sword's unusual reaction was a seemingly ordinary Black Iron Fragment.