Duobao Pavilion

In the East District, a seven-story pagoda-shaped pavilion stood tall, its glazed green tiles and golden eaves shimmering with splendor. The structure occupied nearly half the street—this was the Duobao Pavilion, which had recently become the talk of the town.

After learning the situation from Shopkeeper Hu, Qin Meng first returned to Chen's Fur Shop. He greeted Li Tiezhu and the others, who were busy selling meat, before dragging the carcasses of the small demon salamander and the blood wolf away by himself.

He did not head straight to the East District. Instead, he stopped in a quiet alleyway corner, his thoughts shifting as his environmental integration talent quietly activated.

A subtle sense of adjustment rippled through his muscles, bones, and skin. His facial contours became more rugged and mature, and his physique seemed to grow more burly. In the blink of an eye, he had transformed into a hunter in his forties.

Once properly disguised, he dragged his prey to the East District and stood before the imposing building.

The Duobao Pavilion was truly extraordinary. The entire building was divided into several sections—a restaurant, a weapon shop, a medicinal herb shop, and a material acquisition center—all interconnected, forming a comprehensive commercial hub.

Qin Meng's expression remained calm as he walked straight toward the material acquisition section, which bore the plaque Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

This area was quieter than the restaurant next door. The clerk behind the counter was yawning, but upon seeing a customer, he immediately put on a welcoming smile: "What does the guest need? Buying or selling?"

His gaze swept over the bow and blade on Qin Meng's back, and seeing the thick calluses on his hands, his smile became even more eager. "If you have good game, our pavilion pays high prices!"

"Selling demon beast materials," Qin Meng said, lowering his voice.

"Demon beast?" The clerk was stunned, then overjoyed. "Please wait a moment, honored guest. Demon beast matters are significant; I cannot make the call. I will fetch the manager immediately!"

He nimbly led Qin Meng to a seat, served tea, and trotted toward the back hall.

Qin Meng drank his tea while waiting. Before long, the clerk returned, leading a burly man. His voice arrived before he did: "Apologies for the wait, brave warrior!"

The man's voice was like a booming bell, his steps steady and powerful, carrying an inherent aura of authority.

Qin Meng's expression remained unchanged, but he felt a jolt in his heart: this man's blood-qi was surging, giving him a faint sense of being "dazzled," indicating his strength was far from ordinary.

The burly man approached, cupped his hands, and smiled: "I am Yang Xiong, a deacon of Duobao Pavilion."

"I am Ding Li. A pleasure to meet you, Deacon Yang," Qin Meng replied with a salute.

"Brother Ding, are you truly looking to sell a demon beast?"

"That is correct." Qin Meng gestured for him to inspect the sled.

As the straw and branches were pushed aside, the dark red carcass of the demon wolf, over a zhang in length, was revealed. Even in death, the lingering aura of ferocity made one's heart tighten.

"A blood wolf, truly a demon beast!" Yang Xiong's eyes lit up. He stepped forward to inspect it closely, pressed his hand against the wolf's neck, and nodded. "The blood-qi has not dissipated, the demonic aura remains, and the condition is complete. Extremely rare!"

He looked at Qin Meng. "A demon beast is a treasure from head to toe—the flesh and blood can be refined into blood-qi pills, the fur can be made into soft armor, and the claws and teeth can be forged into talisman weapons. I wonder, Brother Ding, do you wish to exchange for silver or trade for goods?"

"I am not short on silver," Qin Meng said bluntly. "I am looking for a top-tier cultivation technique—one that is orthodox and legitimate, with a clear lineage, so as not to hinder my future enlistment in the army. Additionally, I require supplements that are beneficial for the boiling blood realm and the blood changing realm."

"A technique?" Yang Xiong paused, a look of scrutiny flashing in his eyes.

He had long since noticed that this man's blood-qi was as vigorous as a furnace, his muscles and bones as tough as those of a peak blood changing realm expert, though he could not discern his exact realm.

"To be honest," Qin Meng said, "my nephew is gifted with extraordinary talent, and the techniques in the fort are not suitable for him. He needs a more compatible technique to stimulate his blood and qi."

"His physique is different from ordinary people?" A look of deeper surprise appeared on Yang Xiong's face; he hadn't expected such a person to exist in a small place.

His thoughts raced, and his expression grew more solemn. "If he is truly gifted, ordinary techniques would indeed be a hindrance. However, high-quality techniques are worth a fortune. Just this blood wolf alone..."

"There is also this." Qin Meng pushed aside the branches underneath.

Suddenly, a giant lizard-like demonic beast, over a zhang long and covered in jet-black scales, was revealed, emitting a cold, sinister demonic aura.

"What? An iron-armored demon salamander?" Yang Xiong was moved. He leaned over to inspect the scales closely, tapping them to hear the sound. "Judging by the size and the color of the scales, it's likely near the peak of the first rank."

"Salamander demons are rare. They are born in deep pools and cold ravines. Their scales are tough and their flesh is resilient, making them extremely difficult to hunt in the water. Their flesh and blood contain vitality and have miraculous effects for healing and nourishment; their value is even higher than the blood wolf."

Yang Xiong spoke as if he were counting his own treasures, a glint of joy in his eyes. He looked at Qin Meng. "This is not a convenient place. Brother Ding, would you please follow me upstairs to discuss this in detail?"

"Very well," Qin Meng replied calmly, then followed Yang Xiong to a private room on the third floor.

It was quiet and elegant, isolated from the clamor downstairs.

"Brother Ding is straightforward, so I won't beat around the bush," Yang Xiong said seriously. "For these two demonic beasts, the blood wolf is in perfect condition and is worth about six hundred taels. The iron-armored demon salamander is even rarer; pricing it between fifteen hundred and two thousand taels would not be an exaggeration."

Qin Meng listened quietly.

Yang Xiong continued, "As for the techniques... since my Duobao Pavilion is named 'Duobao,' our business is broad and naturally encompasses everything. However," he shifted his tone, "I must ask: is the technique Brother Ding wants limited to the body forging realm, or does it include subsequent realms?"

"If it is the latter, the price difference is like heaven and earth."

Qin Meng had planned the matter of the techniques very carefully and had a clear goal. "I am looking for a body forging realm technique first. It needs to be top-tier, capable of laying a foundation for transitioning to more profound martial arts in the future. I will figure out the subsequent stages once I reach that realm."

"Wise." Yang Xiong nodded, stood up, and took several booklets from a bookshelf. "These techniques are all registered with the government and have clear origins. After practicing them, even if you join the army later, there will be no issues as long as you state their source."

Qin Meng felt slightly relieved and began to browse through them.

"Ox demon body forging technique": a complete set of breathing methods, stance training, and body tempering techniques. It allows for the condensation of essence blood from forty-eight strands of blood and qi in the blood changing realm, far surpassing the techniques used by the Luming Fort militia. When practiced to completion, one possesses tens of thousands of jin of brute force.

"Reckless ox strength": also a technique that reaches the peak of body forging, primarily focused on condensing blood and qi to unleash brute force. It is faster to practice, but the foundation is slightly inferior.

"Black tiger technique," "Bedrock technique"...

These techniques each had their own strengths and weaknesses, but they were all clearly marked as only being able to reach the peak of body forging.

Until he picked up the last thin booklet. The cover was simple and ancient, with "Diamond body" written on it. The introduction stated that this was a special technique that tempered both the interior and exterior; it not only forged the physical body but also condensed internal qi, combining offense and defense.

Unfortunately, it was noted as a "fragmented copy," with only the body forging section remaining.

Qin Meng asked, "Deacon Yang, why is this incomplete technique still being sold?"

Yang Xiong told him the truth: "It is rumored that this technique originated from the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple in the Central Plains. It is widely circulated, but a complete inheritance is rare. Because it is difficult to practice and progress is slow, it is used to lay a deep foundation. Furthermore,"

He paused, "The blood energy and internal energy cultivated by this technique are extremely yang and rigid, thick and solid, and they do indeed have a restraining effect on the yin and evil aura of demons.

For those with exceptional talent, practicing this technique as a transition is an excellent choice. Once you join the army and perform meritorious service in the future, there will be advanced martial arts available for exchange and cultivation."

"I see. I will choose this Diamond Body."

Qin Meng nodded, looking as if he had been persuaded. When his hand touched the booklet, a strange sense of compatibility arose from the bottom of his heart.

A smile blossomed on Yang Xiong's face: "Brother Ding has a good eye. However, the price..."

He rubbed his hands together: "Three thousand taels of silver."

Qin Meng raised his eyes: "One blood wolf, plus one iron-armored demon salamander—can't they be exchanged for this incomplete technique?"

"Brother Ding, you can't put it that way." Yang Xiong switched to a professional expression. "Although this Diamond Body is an incomplete version, its body-forging chapter is complete and intact. It is a superior foundation-building method and is worth a lot. If you want to exchange, these two demon beasts are not enough... you will have to make up the difference."

"Brother Yang, business should be about honesty."

"Add the copy of the ox demon body forging technique," Qin Meng bargained, holding up three fingers, "and include thirty sets of nourishing blood-strengthening medicinal herbs for the boiling blood realm."

These two demon beasts will then belong to your pavilion.

Yang Xiong's dark face turned a bit green: "Thirty sets? Brother Ding, this isn't an exchange, it's a robbery! The cost of a single set of high-quality boiling blood realm supplements is forty to fifty taels. Thirty sets of high-quality supplements would be over a thousand taels! Even though your demon beasts are good, they aren't worth that much."

"The iron-armored demon salamander is rare; you know its value. How about this, I'll add one more condition," Qin Meng leaned forward and lowered his voice, "Within one month, I will definitely bring another iron-armored demon salamander to your pavilion."

Yang Xiong's eyes flashed. He was tempted but still shook his head: "No, thirty sets of medicine is too many. Ten sets, plus the two copies of the techniques, and the two demon beasts. You must also sign a written agreement promising to deliver a salamander demon of this quality within one month. If it is overdue or the quality is insufficient, you must compensate according to the market price."

"Twenty-five sets."

"Twenty sets, no more."

"Fine, twenty sets it is. But I want to pre-order the supplements needed for the blood changing realm from your pavilion." Qin Meng thought for a moment before agreeing.

Yang Xiong frowned in thought, then finally nodded: "That can be done. However, the written agreement must state that you will provide a valuable item as collateral. If you fail to deliver the salamander demon on time, the collateral will belong to my Duobao Pavilion, and you will still have to pay compensation."

"Deal."