C13 Treasure Gathering Pavilion

"A black iron sword for just ten gold coins!" someone called out.

"Get five bottles of mosquito repellent for a single gold coin!" another vendor shouted.

"A bottle of Golden Injury Medicine or Hemostasis Powder for only three gold coins!" echoed another voice.

Along the streets of Black Wind Town, numerous vendors peddled their wares. Despite the approaching dusk, the streets thronged with people.

"We've reached the Treasure Gathering Pavilion," Chu Lin announced.

Chu Lin and Yang Hu halted before a distinctive pavilion.

"Treasure Gathering Pavilion is the premier marketplace in Black Wind Town. You can sell your valuables or purchase treasures from them. Their motto is 'No treasure we can't acquire, no treasure we can't sell.' Whether it's weapons or pills, the Pavilion's offerings surpass anything else you'll find in town," Yang Hu explained.

"Let's check it out," Chu Lin suggested, moving towards the entrance.

Yang Hu quickly grabbed Chu Lin's arm. "Mr. Chu, the items in the Pavilion are steeply priced. We can't afford them."

Chu Lin hesitated but remained resolute. "Hu, go ahead and buy what we need for Black Wind Gorge. I might not have money, but I can still feast my eyes on those treasures. Let's meet up at the crossroads ahead in a bit."

With that, Chu Lin strode into the Treasure Gathering Pavilion.

Inside, Chu Lin was greeted by a refreshing atmosphere. He observed three rows of display cases in the vast hall. The first row brimmed with various Spirit Medicines and pills. The second showcased Beast Cores, and the last was replete with weapons.

The Pavilion was sparsely populated, a stark contrast to the lively streets outside.

Upon Chu Lin's arrival, a sales clerk in uniform glanced his way, then quickly looked away with a sneer.

Xu Jiaofeng, once a sales leader at the Vast Martial City's Pavilion, had lived comfortably until a failed attempt to marry into wealth led to her demotion to Black Wind Town's branch.

Today marked her first day here.

To Xu Jiaofeng, Black Wind Town was a backwater compared to Vast Martial City, and her displeasure was palpable. She took out her frustration on Chu Lin, the newcomer.

"Now even the impoverished think they can stroll into the Treasure Gathering Pavilion. Is this their idea of a resting spot?" she scoffed, eyeing Chu Lin's modest attire.

Chu Lin frowned at her words but remained silent, continuing towards the display cases.

A Purple Spirit Flower was priced at 500 gold coins, a Rootless Vine at 200, and an Ice Spring Heart at 600.

"I didn't expect Black Wind Town to have such a trove of precious Spirit Medicine. These are all mid-tier Grade One," Chu Lin remarked, astonished.

Spirit Medicines and Pills ranged from grades one to five, each with three sub-levels. The higher the grade, the more valuable the item. Even at Grade One, these would cause a stir in Great Barbarian City.

"A powerful force must back the Pavilion, or it would have been plundered by now," Chu Lin mused. The Broken Copper within him had already caused much Spirit Medicine to wither, so he didn't linger and moved on to the weapons display.

"Are you buying or not? This is the Treasure Gathering Pavilion. If you can't afford it, then leave!" Xu Jiaofeng said with scorn.

"Is this how the Pavilion treats its guests?" Chu Lin retorted, his irritation growing. In just a short time, he had been twice insulted by this woman. Regardless of the Pavilion's reputation, such treatment was unacceptable.

Xu Jiaofeng sneered at Chu Lin, "Country bumpkin, do you see yourself as a guest? Can you even afford anything here?"

Chu Lin, faced with her contempt, simply laughed. He produced a finely crafted porcelain bottle from his pocket and set it on the counter. "I've heard the Pavilion purchases anything. Before we discuss whether I can afford your goods, I'm curious—can the Black Wind Town Pavilion afford what I have?"

Xu Jiaofeng paused for a split second, instinctively caught off guard, but quickly her face twisted into an even more scornful sneer. "I've encountered plenty of small-town folks like you trying to cling to their dignity back in Vast Martial City. But let me tell you, they all met with grim fates."

She gestured dismissively toward a door nearby, her eyes dripping with contempt as she regarded Chu Lin. "Behind that door is Mo Gaang, the chief appraiser of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion here in Black Wind Town. If you've got the nerve, go ahead and push it open with your pathetic little bottle. If not, I suggest you turn tail and leave now. And just a friendly warning—don't underestimate Master Mo Gaang. If you dare to bring him garbage, he'll lose his temper and might just snap your legs in two."

"An appraiser?" Chu Lin murmured, his mind racing.

The porcelain bottle he held was filled with Spirit Liquid, diluted from the essence of Broken Copper. Chu Lin had noticed the Spiritual Energy in the liquid had weakened, but after it had soaked up an abundance of Spiritual Energy from the Spirit Medicine in the herb field, its potency had surged, becoming even more concentrated than before. Now, despite the dilution, this mild, side-effect-free Spirit Liquid was undoubtedly a treasure of the highest order.

It wasn't an overstatement to say that if he offered an undiluted bottle of Spirit Liquid for trade, he could easily afford everything on the entire floor of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion.

His initial plan upon entering the pavilion was indeed to sell a bottle of the diluted Spirit Liquid. Not only could it fetch a handsome sum, but it would also validate the liquid's worth among the experts. Yet, the mention of the appraiser by that spiteful woman had given him pause. This appraiser must be someone with vast knowledge and formidable prowess.

"Why the hesitation? Getting cold feet?" Xu Jiaofeng taunted, her laughter filled with derision as she seized the chance to mock him further.

But in that moment, Chu Lin's resolve solidified. He pushed the door open and stepped inside.