184: Guest

The three followed the direction they had inquired about.

Before long, a four-story pavilion appeared before them in the center of Qingyang City.

Above the pavilion was a plaque with the four large characters: Li Family Immortal Pavilion.

Zhou Xiuyuan and the other two paused, and after confirming the location was correct, they entered the pavilion.

"Seniors, what do you need?"

Before Zhou Xiuyuan and the other two even stepped into the pavilion, a servant dressed in the uniform of the Li Family came up to them, bowing respectfully.

"Does your pavilion acquire Yao Beast Materials?"

Shen Xuanzhao asked.

"Replying to Senior, we naturally do. Please follow me."

The young servant replied respectfully.

After speaking, he stepped aside and made a gesture of invitation.

Shen Xuanzhao, Zhou Xiuyuan, and Yun Qingsi nodded and followed the servant into the Li Family Immortal Pavilion.

The first floor was quite spacious.

It was divided into four areas: Medicinal Pills, Talismans, Magical Artifacts, and Formations.

The three discreetly observed, committing the layout of the first floor to memory.

This first floor was where items were sold to the public, and when the three entered, many Cultivators were already browsing and purchasing.

The servant continued walking, leading the three through the main hall of the first floor to the staircase, and then ascended to the second floor.

The second floor was quite different from the first, without the various Magical Artifacts and Talismans on display.

There were only many sealed rooms.

This second floor was where the Li Family Immortal Pavilion acquired various treasures and Materials.

The servant led the three to a room door and gently knocked.

"Enter."

A full-bodied voice came from inside the room.

The servant pushed open the door. Inside, a Cultivator who appeared to be sixty or seventy years old was sitting cross-legged at the far end of the room, drinking tea and holding a book.

In the room, there were several wooden shelves on which various Materials were placed.

"I am the appraiser of the Pavilion. Greetings, Fellow Daoists."

The three entered the room.

The servant closed the door again but did not leave, instead waiting outside.

Inside the room, the Cultivator sitting cross-legged stood up and bowed to the three.

He felt a sense of awe and was secretly surprised.

These three were not old, but their cultivation was truly impressive.

He was also a Late Qi Refining Cultivator, and feeling their aura, he became a bit more serious.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist."

Zhou Xiuyuan and the other two returned the bow.

"May I ask what Fellow Daoists wish to sell?"

The appraiser of the Li Family Immortal Pavilion inquired.

The three did not waste words.

Shen Xuanzhao was the first; his right hand swept across his waist.

Different Materials were drawn out by his magical power, appearing in the room.

Zhou Xiuyuan and Yun Qingsi did the same, taking out the Materials they had collected in their Storage Pouches.

"This is..."

"The single horn of a Qiong Jade Rhinoceros, the hide of a Mountain-Flipping Ape, the eyes of a Purple Fire Demonic Lion, first-grade Lingxing Grass, Odd Origin Fruit, Hundred Fallen Wood..."

"So many..."

"These are all rare and excellent Materials."

The appraiser of the Li Family Immortal Pavilion gasped inwardly.

Especially these Yao Beast Materials, judging by the remaining aura, they were all of the Late Stage of the first-grade.

"It seems I underestimated these three."

"Please appraise them, Fellow Daoist."

Shen Xuanzhao gestured to the appraiser.

The appraiser of the Li Family Immortal Pavilion regained his composure, nodded to the three, and then carefully examined the Materials... After a long while.

Inside the room.

"Fellow Daoists, please check the count."

The appraiser of the Li Family Immortal Pavilion took three Storage Pouches from the servant waiting outside the door and handed them to the three.

Zhou Xiuyuan and the other two accepted them, not bothering to look closely, and casually hung them on their waists.

Shen Xuanzhao said:

"No need, the reputation of the Qingyang Li Clan is trustworthy."

"Haha, thank you for the compliment, Fellow Daoist."

The appraiser smiled slightly, humbly, but his face showed he was quite pleased.

"We also need to purchase some Medicinal Pills and Talismans."

Shen Xuanzhao added casually.

"Fellow Daoists are honored guests of our Pavilion; all items you choose will have a ten percent discount."

The appraiser said with a smile, instructing the servant beside him.

"Yes."

The servant acknowledged.

The three followed the servant out of the room and headed downstairs to the first floor.

On the first floor of the Li Family Immortal Pavilion.

Shen Xuanzhao, Zhou Xiuyuan, and Yun Qingsi each purchased many daily essential Medicinal Pills and Talismans.

They arrived at the area selling Magical Artifacts.

Shen Xuanzhao and Yun Qingsi's defensive Magical Artifacts had been damaged during the teleportation, so they wanted to see if there were any suitable defensive Magical Artifacts for them.

"Hmm?"

Zhou Xiuyuan's heart stirred.

He didn't need another Magical Artifact, so he had no intention of buying one.

However, the broken sword at his waist had suddenly reacted subtly.

Zhou Xiuyuan focused his senses, his gaze slowly moving upwards. A dark blue gem, encased in a transparent jade box, was placed on a solitary stone pillar.

"What is that?"

Zhou Xiuyuan, without changing his expression, beckoned the servant standing by and pointed to the transparent jade box on the stone pillar, asking.

"Replying to Senior, that is a Low Grade second-grade Cold Jade."

"Low Grade second-grade..."

Zhou Xiuyuan pondered slightly.

"I wish to purchase this item. What is its price?"

Zhou Xiuyuan slowly spoke.

Since the great snow mountain sword had suddenly reacted, he definitely couldn't miss this opportunity.

"It's only a Low Grade second-grade Material, I wonder if the Spirit Stones I have are enough..."

Zhou Xiuyuan felt a bit uneasy. Although he had just sold a lot of Materials for Spirit Stones, second-grade Materials were certainly valuable, and he had already spent some.

"I will go and ask Elder Quan for instructions."

The servant clearly couldn't make the decision and said this to Zhou Xiuyuan.

Zhou Xiuyuan nodded.

The servant left.

Before long, the appraiser the three had met earlier came down with the servant.

He approached Zhou Xiuyuan.

"Fellow Daoist wants this Cold Jade?"

Elder Quan, the appraiser, spoke.

"Indeed."

Zhou Xiuyuan nodded.

Elder Quan was a bit surprised, but he didn't ask further, simply stating the price.

At this moment, Shen Xuanzhao and Yun Qingsi also noticed the situation here.

They came to Zhou Xiuyuan's side and nodded to him.

Signaling that he didn't need to worry about Spirit Stones.

Zhou Xiuyuan was slightly moved.

The two hadn't asked for the reason, which showed their extreme trust in him.

Fortunately, after hearing the price, Zhou Xiuyuan breathed a sigh of relief.

He took out almost all the Spirit Stones he had and purchased the Low Grade second-grade Cold Jade.

"Fellow Daoist, does your pavilion have any more of this Cold Jade for sale?"

He put the Cold Jade into his Storage Pouch.

Zhou Xiuyuan asked again.

"This Cold Jade is unique to our Li Family and is rarely sold externally. The one you have was only sent by the Clan two days ago."

"If Fellow Daoist still needs this item..."

"May I ask which sect Fellow Daoists belong to?"

Elder Quan hesitated slightly, then turned to ask the three.

"A small sect, not worth mentioning."

Shen Xuanzhao shook his head and replied casually.

"Oh?"

Elder Quan nodded, but he didn't believe it, thinking that the three were unwilling to reveal their identities.

"This Cold Jade is usually only supplied to Cultivators within the Clan. If Fellow Daoist still needs it, you can join our Li Family and become a Guest Elder of our Li Family, and then you can exchange for it with Clan contributions."

Elder Quan said casually.

These words were originally an excuse. These three clearly had backgrounds and likely wouldn't become Guest Elders, so it wouldn't be considered him shirking, and the Li Family wouldn't offend them.

"We cannot make this decision on our own; please allow us to consult."

Indeed, as soon as Elder Quan said this, Zhou Xiuyuan was helpless and was about to refuse, when Shen Xuanzhao suddenly spoke first.

Zhou Xiuyuan's heart stirred, and he said nothing more.

"No problem."

Elder Quan didn't care, signaling the three to do as they pleased.

Before long, the three left the Li Family Immortal Pavilion.

"Brother Shen..."

Zhou Xiuyuan was about to speak when he was interrupted by Shen Xuanzhao.

"This is not the place to talk."

Zhou Xiuyuan nodded.

The three headed towards the place in the city where Immortal Caves were rented.

Inside the rented Immortal Cave, the three gathered.

Zhou Xiuyuan took out the great snow mountain sword and placed the Cold Jade, which shimmered with a dark blue cold light, beside the broken sword.

The broken sword trembled slightly, and streams of spiritual light from the Cold Jade were absorbed by the broken sword.

Moments later, the dark blue light of the Cold Jade faded.

Zhou Xiuyuan calmed his mind and sensed for a long time.

After absorbing this Cold Jade, the great snow mountain sword seemed to have recovered an almost imperceptible amount.

If Zhou Xiuyuan hadn't been with the great snow mountain sword for so long, he probably wouldn't have been able to sense this subtle difference.

"How is it?"

Shen Xuanzhao inquired.

"It's useful."

Zhou Xiuyuan nodded, a hint of joy in his eyes.

Yun Qingsi's face also showed considerable happiness when she saw Zhou Xiuyuan nod.

"Since that's the case, then let's agree. What's wrong with becoming a Guest Elder of this Li Family?"

Shen Xuanzhao said.

"Moreover, our cultivation is still not enough. We can just use the Li Family to Cultivate for a few years, enhance our strength, and gather information along the way."

After speaking, he added another sentence.

Zhou Xiuyuan didn't speak, looking towards Yun Qingsi again.

"Big Brother Zhou, there's no need to worry too much."

Yun Qingsi nodded, saying seriously.

"Alright."

Zhou Xiuyuan slowly spoke, feeling somewhat heavy-hearted for some reason.

Three days later.

The three canceled their Immortal Cave rental and returned to the Li Family Immortal Pavilion.

"What..."

"You agreed?"

Elder Quan was dumbfounded.

"Indeed, the scenery here is unique, and staying here for a period of time is also good."

Shen Xuanzhao had a serious expression.

The restrictions on Guest Elders were not that many, so it wouldn't be as troublesome to leave when they wished.

"Good!"

"Fellow Daoists, please wait a few days while I go and consult the Clan Chief."

Elder Quan's heart settled. He took out his own token and gave it to the three, allowing them to be free from the seven-day restriction.

Three Late Qi Refining Cultivators of considerable strength were worth winning over.

A few days later.

Shen Xuanzhao, Zhou Xiuyuan, and Yun Qingsi followed Elder Quan into the Li Clan, met the Li Clan Chief, and officially became Guest Elders of the Qingyang Li Clan.

Within the Qingyang Li Clan, a young man in a brocade robe saw the three who had become Guest Elders of the Li Family. His heart stirred, and he stepped forward to make their acquaintance.

Zhou Xiuyuan and the other two temporarily settled down.