Linglong Pavilion

Yuan Qinghua gave a thumbs-up and praised, "Brother, you have a kind heart. I've guided countless new guests, and many are keen on gambling, but few can see so far ahead. That's right, there is indeed a clever method to avoid this loophole. Brother, please look to the left of the flagpole. There's a horizontal table, and the old man by the table with the square scarf is the Realm Tester. Before the duel, both parties will drip blood for verification. You must know that as a martial artist's cultivation strengthens, their blood changes significantly. The blood of those in different realms is viscous and has a completely different color. Through blood testing, we can ensure both parties are of the same realm."

Only then did Xu Yi relax. It wasn't that he was being overly cautious, but rather that it concerned life and death, and he had to be careful. If there were loopholes in the rules, and the Black Dragon Hall intended to frame him by bringing out a Qi Sea Realm expert, then no matter how carefully he planned, it would be useless.

After asking Xu Yi a couple more questions and seeing that his client was truly uninterested in the gambling match, Yuan Qinghua finally stopped and began to inquire about Xu Yi's realm and his purpose for entering the city this time.

"What? You, you, you are actually a martial artist at the Body Tempering Peak realm! May I ask your honorable age, brother?"

Yuan Qinghua was filled with shock. Although the client before him was dressed in a weathered manner, he showed no signs of age.

"I've passed thirty!" Xu Yi said calmly.

In reality, he had only just celebrated his eighteenth birthday. The reason he was unwilling to reveal his true age was simply to avoid trouble.

Fortunately, his stubble and dejected appearance made him look very old.

Even so, Yuan Qinghua was ecstatic. "A true master never reveals his true strength, never reveals his true strength! As far as I know, in all of Guang'an City, there are no more than a handful of people who have reached the Body Tempering Peak realm before the age of thirty, and they are all from prestigious families. Brother Yi, with your young age and such cultivation, your future in Martial Arts will undoubtedly be brilliant. I offer my congratulations in advance and hope that Brother Yi will provide much guidance in the future!"

Xu Yi hadn't expected this fellow to be so adept at flattery. He said in a deep voice, "Talking about this is going too far. It's getting late, let's get the job done first."

Yuan Qinghua sensed Xu Yi's displeasure and felt a jolt. He repeatedly agreed, no longer wasting words, and led Xu Yi down the arched bridge, heading straight for the central avenue.

Half an incense stick later, Yuan Qinghua pointed to a shop facade directly in front of them and said, "Brother Yi, just walk into this shop, and you'll get everything you need. I guarantee quality and good prices."

The shopfront before them was truly enormous, with a width of five zhang and a three-zhang-high purple-gold nanmu door, which was a four-panel design. The threshold, over a chi high, was also gilded with pure copper.

On the large, shining signboard in the center of the facade, three large characters were written in a flamboyant calligraphy: Linglong Pavilion!

As Xu Yi focused his gaze, the three characters suddenly came alive, transforming into swimming dragons that circled within the signboard frame before reforming into "Linglong Pavilion" in the center. It was incredibly mystical.

"Brother Yi, don't underestimate this signboard. This is a magic array, made primarily from unrefined East Sea jade, crafted by a master artisan with magic patterns, and refined with three Azure Gold Snake demons to achieve its current state. It's unique in all of Guang'an City."

Noticing Xu Yi's interest, Yuan Qinghua naturally didn't hold back his words and gave a brief introduction.

"Snake demons? Could it be that there are monsters in this world?"

Xu Yi was startled inwardly but didn't speak his mind.

Having encountered the Yin Soul of Liao Chen, he was already immune to supernatural matters. Even if monsters appeared, he was mentally prepared.

Moreover, his time was limited, and he didn't want to waste words on this matter, so he kept silent.

As soon as he entered, Xu Yi's eyes widened. Even though he had seen many magnificent hotels in his later life, he was still awestruck by the scene before him.

The grand hall, over a hundred zhang long and wide, had pillars of white jade, floors paved with black iron, golden dragons patrolling the sky, and fire phoenixes burning on the walls. It was truly a place of magnificent architecture and hidden beauty, grand and spectacular.

When the two entered, there were quite a few people in the hall, scattered in groups.

Even more marvelous was that no customer was alone; each was attended by a shop assistant. Judging by this grandeur alone, it was clear that the Linglong Pavilion lived up to its reputation.

Indeed, without waiting long, a female shop assistant approached with quick steps. Dressed in black with brown hair and a fiery figure, her smile was already overflowing before she even got close. "Welcome, esteemed guests. How may we assist you?"

"Is this a place to talk? We'll talk in the VIP room!"

Yuan Qinghua's tone was resonant, and he seemed to exude an aura of brilliance, a far cry from his earlier disheveled appearance guarding the city gate.

"Oh, esteemed guests! Please follow me!"

The brown-haired lady's smile grew even brighter, her beautiful eyes gazing at Yuan Qinghua with infinite charm.

It turned out that the Linglong Pavilion had a rule: anyone who spent over a hundred gold coins at once was eligible to enter the VIP room. Although Yuan Qinghua was down on his luck, he was well aware of this rule.

Since Xu Yi had promised that their spending this time would exceed two hundred gold coins, he couldn't pass up this opportunity to flex his muscles.

Soon, the brown-haired lady led the two into a private room. Before long, two beautiful young women brought in two trays laden with tea, fruits, and pastries, all exquisitely crafted.

Having come to this world, Xu Yi had never enjoyed such refined hospitality. He was straightforward and never pretentious. Pleased with the sight, he picked up the clear green tea and took a few sips. He then tasted a couple of pastries. They were delicious but nothing extraordinary, so he stopped eating and lazily reclined on the soft armchair.

Unbeknownst to him, his casual behavior caused Yuan Qinghua to break out in a cold sweat, his old face flushing red.

The brown-haired lady beside them also widened her eyes, wondering if she should call the guards to throw them out.

In her years at the Linglong Pavilion, she had served countless VIPs, but not one had ever stooped to consuming the tea and pastries so unceremoniously.

She even suspected that the two before her were merely impostors trying to get a glimpse of the place and freeload.

Fortunately, her professional habit suppressed her impulse. The brown-haired lady forced a smile and emphasized, "May I ask what services you require, esteemed guests?"

Yuan Qinghua was already mortified. Hearing her question, he seemed to find a fig leaf and hurriedly said, "We need top-grade Scarlet Refined Grass, century-old Crimson Gold Snake Eye, Bear King Gallbladder..."

Yuan Qinghua listed seven medicinal ingredients, which were the auxiliary materials required for practicing the Overlord Strength Art.

As soon as he finished speaking, the forced smile on the brown-haired lady's face instantly vanished. She loudly called for the previous two attendants, instructed them to bring better tea, and politely apologized, stating that she needed to check the inventory and would give them a reply shortly.

The two attendants had just served the tea when the brown-haired lady re-entered quickly. "My apologies for keeping you waiting, esteemed guests. Unfortunately, our store cannot currently provide all the medicinal ingredients you requested. The century-old Crimson Gold Snake Eye and the Bear King Gallbladder are temporarily out of stock. Would you like to purchase the other five ingredients first, and we will notify you immediately when the remaining two arrive?"