Transaction

Mysterious Yellow Pavilion, Inner Chamber's Rear Hall.

In stark contrast to the magnificent and bustling scene outside, this place felt more like a secluded pure land, hidden from the world.

Sandalwood incense curled and drifted, exuding a serene and elegant aroma. The four walls were constructed with ancient, simple wooden structures, adorned with several ink wash paintings of landscapes with profound artistic conception. Spiritual Energy misted and flowed slowly across the floor. Breathing here was refreshing and invigorating, and one could feel a subtle sense of progress in their cultivation.

Lu Guan, the mysterious Pavilion Master of the Mysterious Yellow Pavilion, was skillfully brewing a pot of spiritual tea at this moment. His movements were fluid and natural, imbued with a unique Dao rhythm. He gestured with his hand, "The three of you, please be seated."

Xuanyuan Che was the first to sit on a cushion opposite Lu Guan, his posture lazy and casual. Yun Mengyao and Lei Mingjian took seats to his left and right, slightly behind him, maintaining a degree of vigilance.

"Good tea," Xuanyuan Che sniffed, praising it. His gaze, however, fell upon Lu Guan's slender, jade-like hands, as if he could discern the trajectory of the spiritual energy flowing through his movements.

Lu Guan smiled faintly and pushed three cups of clear, emerald green, fragrant spiritual tea towards the three of them. "Calm Heart Dao Comprehension Tea. A small thing, barely enough to clear the mind and sharpen the senses, and beneficial to the soul. Please try it."

Lei Mingjian picked up his teacup and downed it in one gulp, smacking his lips. "Mmm! Delicious! Just a bit too little..." Before he could finish, a pure and gentle soul force spread from his abdomen, rushing straight towards his sea of consciousness. He instantly felt a surge of energy, and his agitated emotions from witnessing the high-priced transaction calmed considerably. He couldn't help but widen his eyes, realizing this tea was far from ordinary.

Yun Mengyao sipped hers delicately, feeling the tranquil Dao rhythm contained within the tea. A hint of surprise flickered in her clear, cold eyes. This tea was exceptionally effective for cultivation, especially for calming the mind and concentrating during breakthroughs. Its value was likely comparable to most Earth Tier elixirs.

Xuanyuan Che picked up his teacup, lightly touching the rim with his fingertip before setting it down, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "The tea is good tea, but unfortunately, the brewing was off by half a step. The vitality of the Azure Profound Spirit Leaves was slightly diminished. Otherwise, the Dao rhythm could have been solidified by another ten percent."

Lu Guan's hand, holding the pot, paused almost imperceptibly. A spark of interest appeared in his eyes, and the gentle smile on his face became serious for the first time. "Does Young Master have such profound research into the art of tea? Lu is honored to learn."

His tea was a unique secret recipe. It was rare for ordinary people to discern its benefits, let alone pinpoint the raw ingredients and even flaws in the brewing process. This young man before him was the first! This was no longer merely tasting tea, but an insight bordering on the "Dao."

Xuanyuan Che waved his hand dismissively, acting as if it were obvious. "I only understand a little. Pavilion Master, you didn't invite us here just for tea, did you?"

Lu Guan took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, knowing that this young man was far more complex than he appeared. He waved his hand and cast a soundproof barrier, his expression becoming much more solemn. "The three of you possess extraordinary bearing, especially this Young Master. Your discernment is sharp, even surpassing mine. Lu presumes to invite the three of you because there is indeed a matter. I wish to make a transaction with you, Young Master."

"Oh? A transaction?" Xuanyuan Che raised an eyebrow, a flicker of interest appearing. "Tell me about it."

Lu Guan's gaze swept over the greyish-white stone that Xuanyuan Che had casually placed aside. "Does Young Master know what this 'scrap' you just bid on actually is?"

"Something from the Abyssal Silence. It contains a wisp of Innate Power of Silence Origin. Although pitifully weak, its quality is acceptable," Xuanyuan Che replied calmly, as if discussing a trivial matter.

As soon as he spoke, thunder seemed to explode in Lu Guan's mind. He stood up abruptly, his face etched with disbelief and shock!

Innate Power of Silence Origin!

He knew it was extraordinary, perhaps related to the Power of Silence, but he never imagined it would be this extraordinary!

Yun Mengyao and Lei Mingjian were also deeply shaken. Innate Origin? That was the most fundamental and purest manifestation of the laws of power in the world. Even a wisp of it could drive a Supreme Being mad! And it was hidden within such an unremarkable stone?

Lu Guan took several deep breaths to barely suppress his churning emotions and said with a wry smile, "Young Master is truly a divine being! Lu is impressed! Since that is the case, Lu will speak plainly. My cultivation technique is special and requires the aid of silence, annihilation, and similar forces to temper my soul and break through bottlenecks. This wisp of Innate Power of Silence Origin is crucial to me. I wonder if Young Master would be willing to part with it? Whatever Young Master desires, as long as Lu can fulfill it, I will not refuse!"

His attitude was sincere, even carrying a hint of pleading.

Xuanyuan Che did not answer immediately. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his gaze sweeping over Lu Guan as if weighing something.

For a moment, the rear hall fell silent, with only the lingering aroma of tea.

Lei Mingjian looked at his junior brother, feeling that his figure was incredibly tall at this moment, far more mysterious than their own master.

"This thing," Xuanyuan Che finally spoke, breaking the silence, "is quite a novel toy to me."

Lu Guan's lips twitched slightly, but the anticipation in his eyes grew stronger.

"However," Xuanyuan Che's tone shifted, "it's not impossible to give it to you. But I'm not interested in Spirit Stones or magical treasures."

"Young Master, please speak!" Lu Guan immediately responded.

"Two conditions," Xuanyuan Che held up two fingers. "First, I need someone to run errands and gather information. I see your Mysterious Yellow Pavilion is spread throughout the Central Continent and is well-informed. That's perfect."

Lu Guan did not hesitate. "Agreed! From this day forward, Young Master will be the most honored guest elder of our Mysterious Yellow Pavilion, with authority equivalent to our pavilion elders. You may mobilize the intelligence resources of the Mysterious Yellow Pavilion!" He directly took out a purple-gold token, engraved with the words "Mysterious Yellow" on the front and a depiction of a pavilion shrouded in mist on the back, and handed it to Xuanyuan Che.

Xuanyuan Che casually took it, weighed it, and put it into his embrace.

"Second," Xuanyuan Che pointed at the massive Dragon Scale Stone, "you will crack this thing open for me right now."

Lu Guan was stunned, not expecting the second condition to be so simple. He immediately agreed, "What difficulty is there in that!" With a wave of his sleeve, the massive Dragon Scale Stone appeared in the open space of the rear hall.

"Does Young Master wish to crack the stone here?"

"Right here, it's quiet," Xuanyuan Che nodded.

Lu Guan's expression grew serious as he walked to the Dragon Scale Stone. He did not use any tools. Instead, he formed his fingers into a blade, and condensed spiritual light emanated from his fingertips as he carefully began to cut from the edge of the stone's skin.

The control of a Saint King realm cultivator was fully displayed at this moment. Stone chips flew, but not the slightest harm was done to any potential spiritual treasures within.

Yun Mengyao and Lei Mingjian watched with bated breath. After all, it was the Stone King that was purchased for ten million High-grade Spirit Stones. They were all very curious about what was hidden inside.

Only Xuanyuan Che remained leisurely sipping his tea, as if he already knew the outcome.

Crack...

As the stone skin was continuously peeled away, a radiance gradually began to emanate from within the Dragon Scale Stone.

First, it was fiery red, then it turned a deep sapphire blue, and then a warm emerald green... The light continuously shifted, and a supremely dense vital essence, mixed with a certain ancient bloodline pressure, permeated the air!

"This is... such powerful life energy! And bloodline pressure!" Lei Mingjian exclaimed.

Lu Guan's eyes grew increasingly astonished, and his movements became faster.

Finally, the last piece of stone skin was shaved off.

Brilliant seven-colored divine light shot towards the sky, bathing the entire rear hall in a dreamlike, illusory glow! A strange crystal stone, about the size of a baby's fist, perfectly round, with natural dragon scale-like patterns on its surface, floated in mid-air. Within the crystal stone, it seemed as if a miniature seven-colored galaxy was sealed, slowly flowing, magnificent and beautiful. That vast vital essence and ancient pressure emanated from it!

"Seven-Colored Divine Marrow! And it's Dragon Scale Divine Marrow containing a wisp of the Ancient Heavenly Dragon Bloodline!" Lu Guan exclaimed, his face filled with shock. "This... this item is enough to make a Supreme Being's heart race, to reshape their foundation, and extend their lifespan by ten thousand years! It can also purify dragon bloodlines, its value is immeasurable!"

His gaze towards Xuanyuan Che had completely changed. This young man could not only see through the origin of Silence at a glance, but he also knew the core of this Dragon Scale Stone, which was isolated by special stone skin and even he couldn't probe, like the back of his hand? What kind of heaven-defying eyesight was this?!

Yun Mengyao and Lei Mingjian were also stunned. Ten million High-grade Spirit Stones to buy this Divine Marrow, not only was it not a loss, it was practically a massive profit! Countless powerful figures would have to go bankrupt to obtain such a divine item!

"So-so, I can just use it to feed the dogs," Xuanyuan Che muttered.

"Feed... feed the dogs?" Lu Guan stumbled, almost thinking he had misheard. Feed the Seven-colored Dragon Scale Marrow, which could pique the interest of Supremes, to dogs?! Was that even human speech?!

Yun Mengyao pressed her forehead with her hand, already somewhat immune to her junior brother's shocking statements.

Lei Mingjian, on the other hand, was frantically thinking, when did junior brother get a dog? What kind of dog could eat this?!

Xuanyuan Che ignored their shock, put away the Divine Marrow, then picked up the gray-white stone material. Chaos Qi swirled around his fingertips as he gently tapped it.

The stone skin instantly turned to dust, revealing a crystal no bigger than a fingernail, completely black, as if it could swallow all light. The moment the crystal appeared, the light in the entire back hall dimmed. A terrifying Dao charm of all things ending and returning to silence permeated the air, causing Lu Guan and Yun Mengyao to feel a sharp pain in their souls, as if they were about to be annihilated.

A faint chaotic light flickered on Xuanyuan Che's fingertip, firmly sealing the aura of that wisp of Silence within a small space, and then he tossed it to Lu Guan, "Here, the thing you wanted."

Lu Guan caught it, feeling the Power of Silence that made his soul tremble, and bowed deeply to Xuanyuan Che, "Thank you, Young Master, for fulfilling my wish! Lu Guan will remember this kindness in his heart."

With this item, the bottleneck that had confined him for many years finally had hope of breaking through!

"It's just a transaction," Xuanyuan Che smiled faintly, "If there's nothing else, we'll be going."

"Young Master, please wait!" Lu Guan quickly called out to him and took out a jade slip, "In three days, the Xuanhuang Academy Grand Competition will officially begin. This competition is different from previous ones; it is said to involve a great opportunity, possibly even related to the 'Ancient Sacred Institute'. This is some information I've gathered about the top Heavenly Pride from various academies, which may be of some help to you."

"Ancient Sacred Institute?" Xuanyuan Che took the jade slip and scanned it with his spiritual sense. The content was indeed much more detailed than what the academy provided, especially with the annotation of several opponents who needed special attention.

"Yes, it is a legendary place, said to contain the so-called opportunity to become an Emperor. It only opens once every long period of time. This competition may be one of the selections to enter the Sacred Institute," Lu Guan explained, "If Young Master is interested, you must win the championship in this competition."

Lu Guan had now concluded that Xuanyuan Che was a disciple of some hidden great power. He couldn't fathom Xuanyuan Che's cultivation, and even the burly follower beside him and his Senior Sister gave him an inexplicable sense of danger.

"This is interesting," Xuanyuan Che rubbed his chin, a flicker of interest in his eyes. Becoming a Saint or an Emperor was like eating and drinking for him, but an opportunity that the Lower Realm valued so highly must not be boring.

"Oh, right, Young Master," Lu Guan added, as if remembering something, "You need to be careful of one person—the 'Sword Son' of the Central Continent's Ancient Noble Family, the Xiao Family, Xiao Wuji. This person has been training outside for many years and only recently returned to his clan. His strength is unfathomable; it was rumored that he was already at the Saint Realm, half-step, several years ago, and he possesses the 'Indestructible Sword Body'. His ranking on the Heavenly Pride Ranking's Earthly Ranking is... eleventh!"