Imperial Capital, Alchemist Market.
This was where wealth and dreams converged across the entire Jia Ma Empire.
A rich medicinal fragrance lingered in the air year-round, mingled with the distinctive scorched scent of burning pill cauldrons. Shops lined both sides of the street, and behind every signboard there might stand an alchemy master whose mere stomp could shake an entire faction.
Yet today, everyone's gaze had converged, as if by unspoken agreement, upon one spot along the market's central avenue—the most valuable stretch of land in the entire district.
It was a three-story pavilion that had just changed hands.
It stood directly opposite the black stone Pill Tower, the symbol of the highest authority in the Empire's alchemy world.
At that moment, Nalan Ye, the Mittel Family's chief steward in the Imperial Capital, followed closely behind a black-robed figure wearing a bamboo hat.
The shrewdness and calculation that usually filled his face had long vanished, replaced by heartfelt humility and respect.
"Sir, this is the shop Manager Ya Fei acquired for you."
Nalan Ye's voice carried a hint of fawning.
"It has three floors, all built from century-old golden-thread nanmu wood. The previous owner originally intended to deal in medicinal herbs, but circumstances went against him, forcing him to sell it at a loss. Manager Ya Fei spent a fortune and even bought out the lease for the next ten years."
Su Chen stopped.
He raised his head and examined the pavilion before him.
The building possessed an antique elegance, with upturned eaves and intricate brackets, carrying the weight of accumulated years. Its location was even more exceptional, practically occupying the choke point through which the market's crowds flowed.
Ya Fei's eye was as sharp as ever.
"Very good."
Su Chen uttered two words.
Nalan Ye immediately beamed and hurriedly