After resting at the inn for a while, Shi Lan headed to the market in the west of the city ahead of the others.
This market was the largest trading hub in Ancient Phoenix City. It was a chaotic mix of all kinds of people and shops, most of them catering to martial artists.
The streets were bustling with people. That was also why Shi Lan had chosen to set up the arena here: the more people there were, the farther the news would spread.
There was still a little time before the hour she had arranged with the lumber shop owner. Shi Lan dropped a few gold notes and told the others to wait there, then entered the market with Wu Lingkong.
The shops lining the street sold all manner of things—pills, magical artifacts, talismans, and more. Most of the people walking the streets had vigorous qi and blood, their eyes shining brightly. Anyone could tell they were martial artists.
Every so often, Shi Lan spotted a Xiantian Realm martial artist passing by. The quality of the martial artists in Ancient Phoenix City was clearly a cut above those in the cities they had passed through earlier.
Shi Lan was quite interested in the shops along the road, but Wu Lingkong wasn't. She had visited places a hundred times more prosperous than this.
Wu Lingkong scanned her surroundings aimlessly. Suddenly, her gaze stopped, and she came to a halt, her expression distant.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Wu Lingkong's dazed expression, Shi Lan followed her gaze.
A three-story building, lavishly decorated, stood beside the street. Looking at the plaque hanging above its entrance, Shi Lan asked in confusion, "Nishang Pavilion... What kind of place is that?"
Wu Lingkong came back to herself and smiled. "It's a large merchant establishment that mainly