Sihai Pavilion

"Stop! Routine inspection!"

Qinghe Commandery, west gate.

Several martial artists dressed in Gui Ling Sect disciple robes glared menacingly at every passerby. They didn't spare even the covered horse-drawn carriages and ox carts, insisting on lifting the curtains and searching them thoroughly. No amount of silver could change their minds, and the whole place was in an uproar.

The ox cart slowly rolled closer. Watching the scene, Zhou Wenwu grew increasingly tense.

There was no way he could hide from such a strict search. A fight was inevitable.

Fortunately, after a few hurried glances, he saw that Song Zhong wasn't here. He let out a long breath of relief.

Under the pressure of Gui Ling Sect's reputation, those entering the city naturally didn't dare defy them. Many women were dragged out of carriages, their faces flushed with embarrassment as they hid behind their sleeves and fans. The men beside them were so angry their veins bulged.

Though the line moved slowly, it kept inching forward. Before long, it was Fang Yuan's turn.

"Is the woman inside your ox cart your wife or daughter? Call her out and let me have a look!"

A disciple with triangular eyes grinned, lechery gleaming in his gaze. He sauntered forward and reached to lift the carriage curtain.

"Heh..."

At that, Fang Yuan nearly laughed. His gaze turned teasing as he looked toward the inside of the carriage.

"What are you laughing at?"

Feeling mocked, the triangular-eyed disciple put his hand on his saber.

"Are you one of Song Zhong's men? I'm laughing because you're about to die and don't even know it. What are you, an idiot?"

Fang Yuan shook his head and spread the five fingers of his right hand, striking with lightning speed.

Crack! Crunch!

Amid a series of sharp snaps, the triangular-eyed disciple clutched his arm and collapsed to the ground, his face twisted in pain.

"Eagle Claw Skill?"

The Gui Ling Sect disciples beside him exchanged glances. Led by a young man in green robes, they charged shoulder to shoulder. "Get him!"

Thud! Thud!

Fang Yuan drew a deep breath. His skin took on a dark, bluish sheen. He didn't dodge at all, instead advancing to meet them head-on.

He took care to avoid blades and swords. The other blows—fists, kicks, and blunt weapons—landed on him without causing so much as a twinge, like someone scratching an itch.

But whenever he struck out with his claws, a disciple would inevitably scream and fall.

The scene threw the city gate into chaos. Soldiers and even more Gui Ling Sect disciples came running over.

"Zhou Wenwu, it's up to you!"

Fang Yuan barked. His figure darted through several twists and turns, then vanished through the gate.

"I am Zhou Tong's son, Zhou Wenwu, Outer Sect Steward of Gui Ling Sect!"

Zhou Wenwu stepped forward, holding a metal token high. "I have the sect's token as proof. I'm here to report Elder Song Zhong for murdering all seventy-three members of my family, young and old! I beg the sect to give me justice!"

His final words were nearly a scream, loud enough for everyone to hear. The Song Zhong disciples sprawled on the ground went deathly pale.

No matter how powerful Song Zhong was, he couldn't rule Qinghe Commandery with an iron fist. Now that his victim had called him out in public, the sect was bound to be alerted.

"Indeed, it's Nephew Zhou!"

Before long, a group of Gui Ling Sect disciples arrived, escorting a white-haired old man. The old man looked at Zhou Wenwu and hurriedly reassured him, "Don't worry, Nephew. Gui Ling Sect will never let a scoundrel who slaughters his own brothers get away with it!"

He shot the Song Zhong disciples on the ground a cold glance and waved his hand. "Arrest them!"

Several disciples immediately stepped forward, bringing out thick ropes woven from buffalo hide and binding them tightly.

"Uncle Xue, I beg you to see that justice is done!"

Zhou Wenwu gave a convincing performance, tears streaming from his eyes.

In truth, a chill welled up inside him, sinking to the bone.

How could the sect truly be unaware of what had happened in Qingye City? The elders of his own faction had let Song Zhong's disciples swagger around like this, only showing themselves once he arrived. They'd deliberately let the situation escalate to put pressure on the Sect Leader.

And the Sect Leader herself had calmly sat back and fanned the flames.

The entire Gui Ling Sect was like a ravenous beast, slowly opening its jaws to swallow him whole!

"By the way, where is the hero who escorted Nephew here?"

Elder Xue felt Zhou Wenwu's pulse. A trace of surprise appeared on his face, and he asked.

"Brother Fang? Perhaps he left on his own..."

Zhou Wenwu knew Fang Yuan didn't want to get dragged into this mess, so he said, "Where is the Sect Leader? I want to see her immediately!"

"Of course. But before that, you'll first meet Elder Han, from our faction. He's been waiting for you for a long time!"

Elder Xue grabbed Zhou Wenwu by the arm with such strength that, even if Zhou Wenwu had been uninjured, there would have been no chance of escaping his grasp.

"All right."

Zhou Wenwu replied with a bitter smile.

Hidden among the crowd, Fang Yuan watched the scene in silence. His heart tightened, and he quickly slipped away with the flow of people.

"Just as I thought... The struggle within Gui Ling Sect has already reached a fever pitch. Even now that Zhou Wenwu has stepped into the game, both sides see him as a chess piece. He has no say in his own fate!"

Fang Yuan had no desire to end up like that. After stirring up trouble and drawing attention, he had swiftly made his escape.

Even Zhou Wenwu, a direct descendant of the sect, couldn't control his own fate. What chance did an outsider like him have?

"But Song Zhong was clearly in the wrong this time. It'll be hard for him to get out of this. If they execute him outright, that'll save me a lot of trouble..."

In a shadowy corner, Fang Yuan made a few small changes to his appearance. Then he strolled boldly down the commandery city's streets.

The commotion at the city gate hadn't lasted long, and hardly anyone inside the city had noticed. The streets were still bustling and lively.

Compared with Qingye City, there were far more martial artists here, and even some women carried sabers. Fang Yuan couldn't help taking a second look.

Of course, there were proper young ladies who never left their homes. But if a woman practiced martial arts, quite a few of them could become formidable fighters.

Take Gui Ling Sect's Martial Ancestor, for example. She seemed to be a woman, and she was famous throughout Qinghe Commandery.

"My main purpose in coming to the commandery city was to deliver Zhou Wenwu, that powder keg. Next, I need to gather more spiritual seeds, and ideally find information about spiritual lands..."

Fang Yuan rarely traveled far from home. Now that he'd finally made it to the commandery city, he naturally didn't want to leave so soon.

Besides, he needed to find out what happened and learn how things ended for Song Zhong.

"Unfortunately, spiritual seeds are hard to find, and secrets about spiritual lands aren't something an ordinary shop would have. Still, if I search one shop at a time, I ought to find something..."

He looked around and spotted a massive pavilion standing in the middle of the street. People streamed in and out of its doors; business was clearly booming.

"Sihai Pavilion?"

Fang Yuan murmured the name twice, then walked right through the entrance.

"Sir, what can I do for you?"

As soon as he entered, a waiter hurried over with a broad smile. He showed not the slightest disdain for Fang Yuan's ordinary clothes.

"I'm from out of town. What do you mainly sell here?"

Fang Yuan looked around, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

"Sir, you have a truly discerning eye. Our Sihai Pavilion is the largest marketplace in all of Qinghe Commandery. From everyday goods to secret manuals and weapons, even intelligence and martial arts—we buy and sell everything!"

The waiter answered proudly.

"Oh?"

Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow. If the waiter wasn't lying, Sihai Pavilion likely had official backing—or was simply a front for Gui Ling Sect.

Otherwise, would Gui Ling Sect really tolerate anyone in this city making such a boast?

"You really sell everything?"

"Sir, you jest. There are so many rare treasures in the world. If you name something out of a legend, we may indeed not have it. But if something can't be found here in all of Qinghe Commandery, there's no point looking elsewhere!"

The waiter smiled, his words sharp and quick.

"Fair enough..."

Hearing that, Fang Yuan felt a glimmer of hope rise within him. "I'm looking for spiritual seeds. Do you have any here?"

"Spiritual seeds?"

The waiter drew in a sharp breath. "They're not cheap!"

"Hm?"

Fang Yuan was delighted. "You really have some?"

Gui Ling Sect seemed to have a small spiritual land in this commandery, specially used to grow all kinds of spiritual objects. It wouldn't be all that surprising if some made their way onto the market.

After all, Steward Lin had managed to get him a bottle of Crimson Jade Rice Seeds last time. Sihai Pavilion shouldn't disappoint him either.

"Sir, you really want to buy spiritual seeds?"

The waiter looked hesitant.

"Don't worry. Do you think I can't afford them?"

Fang Yuan saw his expression and smiled. He casually flicked out a Gold Leaf. "Take me to them!"

He'd brought all the gold and silver from the valley with him on this trip, just in case. After all, buying spiritual seeds and information about spiritual lands would surely cost a fortune.

"Right away!"

The waiter's eyes lit up. "This way, sir!"

Inside Sihai Pavilion, there were many separate private rooms. Once Fang Yuan passed through a curtain, the noise of the outside world was cut off entirely.

"Reception Room A-13!"

The waiter led Fang Yuan into a hall, then bowed and stepped back.

Before long, two smiling maids came forward and respectfully invited Fang Yuan to sit. They served him tea and fruit.

"Has my treatment just gone up another level?"

Fang Yuan couldn't help finding it amusing. Just then, an old man who looked like a wealthy landowner walked in and bowed respectfully to him. "This old man is Qian Fusheng, manager of Sihai Pavilion. You're looking to buy spiritual seeds?"

"That's right. What do you have? We can discuss the price!"

Fang Yuan waved his hand, putting on a particularly grand air.

In truth, he felt a little uneasy. He didn't know whether his fortune would be enough.

"Spiritual seeds aren't exactly rare. Our pavilion has sold quite a few. But very few people have actually managed to grow them. Some renowned experts have even gone bankrupt trying. You should be cautious, young brother!"

Elder Qian seemed to be offering sincere advice. "All spiritual seeds are blessed by heaven and earth; only spiritual lands can grow them on a large scale. In all of Qinghe Commandery, only Gui Ling Sect has a small plot. As for everyone else..."

He shook his head. His expression said it all.

"But if you're willing to spare no expense and build up the land's strength, there's still a chance they'll take root. Otherwise, where do the wild spiritual plants come from, the ones that bloom for a brief moment deep in the mountains?"

Fang Yuan was already an expert cultivator, and he'd personally raised spiritual seeds before. He had experience, so he answered without hesitation.