Chengtian Prefecture Academy stood on the eastern side of Chengtian City. Beyond its vermilion-lacquered gates lay a broad, open avenue, seven or eight zhang wide, level and spacious, imposing beyond compare.
The long street teemed endlessly with people, bustling with life.
Those passing by came in every sort: ordinary townsfolk hurrying along the roadside, martial artists from various factions with steady auras and vigorous strides, fellow academy students clad in uniforms of various colors, and city defense soldiers moving through the crowd in matching martial attire, sabers at their waists and cold expressions on their faces.
Shops lined both sides of the street, row upon row.
Pill halls, weapon shops, spirit-material stores, taverns, and tea houses had everything one could want. Cries of hawking and selling rose and fell in succession, filling the air with the thriving, worldly bustle unique to a great martial city.
Chen An left the academy and stepped onto the bustling avenue, quickly blending into the stream of passersby.
After walking leisurely for some distance, he found a deserted, secluded alley. He swiftly changed out of his academy disciple robes, used a secret art to alter his face and physique, and in an instant became a composed, imposing middle-aged martial artist. His aura was restrained, with not the slightest trace of youthful vigor showing.
Once he had finished, he casually stopped a passing martial artist and quietly asked for the location of Heavenly Treasure Pavilion. Then, unhurriedly, he made his way toward his destination.
Before long, the grand and imposing Heavenly Treasure Pavilion came into view.
Compared to the county-level branch pavilion in Wurong County, this branch in Chengtian Prefecture City was magnificent beyond measure. A nine-story tower rose from the ground, with soaring eaves and carved beams, gilded ornamentation and jade inlays. Faint spiritual radiance