49: The Pavilion of Fulfilling Contracts

“Little Sister, I am going to the Southeast Market Town, I might be back late today,” Lin Jingyu called out, raising his voice towards the small courtyard.

In the courtyard, Lin Jingxia was squatting on the ground, carefully teasing the dusty Earth Spirit Rat, “Little Ash,” with a fresh blade of grass.

After a night of rest, the little fellow was in much better spirits. It was currently holding the blade of grass with its two small front paws, its dark, glistening eyes observing with a mixture of vigilance and curiosity, occasionally sticking out its delicate pink tongue to give a quick lick.

Hearing her brother’s voice, she did not even lift her head, simply waving her hand cheerfully. Her voice was crisp: “Got it, Brother, go do your business. I have already made plans with the Young Miss to take Little Ash to the back mountain in a while and find some sweet wild fruits for it to eat.”

Lin Jingyu watched his sister, who was so focused as if the entire world consisted only of that little mouse, and shook his head helplessly.

In just a short time, this little thing had become the biggest concern in his sister’s heart, pushing even him, her brother, to the sidelines.

Half a quarter of an hour later, Lin Jingyu’s figure appeared at the entrance of the Southeast Market Town as the morning light began to break.

After paying five fragmented Spirit Stones, he followed the flow of people into this bustling place.

Unlike the tense caution he felt yesterday while harboring his worries, today his steps were steady, his Qi was restrained, and there was an air of composure in his stride.

Although his attire remained simple, the confidence from having stabilized his Qi Refining Third Stage cultivation, combined with the assurance brought by the new trump cards in his Storage Pouch, gave his entire demeanor a subtle change.

He was not here to set up a stall today; his goal was clear—to spend, to use up the Spirit Stones in his Storage Pouch.

He took out the detailed map of the market town, his fingertips tracing the clear ink lines, and quickly locked onto the location of the Miaoling Pavilion in the inner circle.

He quickened his pace, passing through the noisy vendor area of the outer circle. The streets in the inner circle were noticeably cleaner and more spacious, and the shops on both sides were much more impressive.

Before long, the six-story building known as “Miaoling Pavilion,” with its upturned eaves, brackets, and carved beams, came into view.

The glazed tiles refracted brilliant colors under the rising morning sun, and the entrance was wide and grand.

In front of the door, two female Cultivators dressed in uniform light-green martial attire stood on either side, their Qi refined. Their sharp gazes scanned the passing pedestrians; unexpectedly, both were at the Qi Refining Mid-Stage.

Lin Jingyu’s expression was calm as he walked straight up. He took out the green jade token engraved with the character “Ling,” gifted by Qin Xiangling, cupped his hands in a salute, and said in a clear voice:

“Two Fellow Daoists, I am Lin Jingyu. I have been entrusted by Fellow Daoist Qin Xiangling of your pavilion to deliver today’s portion of sweet potato pill.”

One of the Attendants in green, who had a delicate face, had clearly received instructions beforehand. Upon hearing this, a perfect professional smile immediately appeared on her face. She stepped forward with light, graceful movements and bowed:

“So it is Fellow Daoist Lin. Senior Sister Qin already gave instructions yesterday. Sorry to trouble you with a personal trip; just hand the items to me.”

Her tone was peaceful and carried a hint of respect, without the slightest arrogance of a Qi Refining Mid-Stage Cultivator.

She extended her slender hand and gently yet steadily took the two warm, smooth Jade Boxes Lin Jingyu handed over.

As was standard procedure, she lightly opened the lid of one box. A rich, sweet, and toasted aroma, mixed with the unique, warm Spiritual Qi of the hundred-year mountain sweet potato, immediately wafted out, appearing exceptionally enticing in the cool morning air.

“Thank you, Fellow Daoist.” Lin Jingyu nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

The Attendant smiled, took two round, plump Low-Grade Spirit Stones emitting a soft white light from her sleeve, and offered them with both hands: “You are too polite, Fellow Daoist Lin. This is the payment for today’s goods; please keep it safe.”

As the Spirit Stones touched his hand, the familiar cold and heavy sensation returned. Lin Jingyu, with his expression unchanged, put them into the Storage Pouch in his bosom.

Two Spirit Stones might be a considerable amount over time, but for his long-term goals of reaching the Late Stage Qi Refining and even looking toward Foundation Establishment, it was merely a drop in the bucket.

What he truly valued was the value of maintaining this channel itself, the intangible “tiger skin” of being a “partner of Miaoling Pavilion,” and even more so, the seeds of favor he could plant by persisting in fulfilling the agreement at a time when intelligence suggested Miaoling Pavilion was in trouble.

When he one day truly obtained the Alchemy Legacy from Lin Jingxie, this place would be a crucial resource supply point. Today’s seemingly minor investment might leverage unexpected returns in the future.

Leaving Miaoling Pavilion, Lin Jingyu did not linger. He took out the map again to confirm the direction and walked quickly toward the core area of the inner circle where Daling Pavilion was located.

The three gilded characters “Daling Pavilion” shone brilliantly under the rising morning sun, their light dazzling.

The magnificent nine-story main building, with its carved railings and jade masonry, and eaves like wings, covered a vast area. Just from the grandeur of its exterior, it far exceeded Miaoling Pavilion by several times.

Twelve doors of varying sizes faced different streets. The central main gate, which was the tallest, most luxuriously decorated, and guarded by four powerful-looking guards, was reserved exclusively for Cultivators at the Late Stage Qi Refining or higher, highlighting status and strength.

Lin Jingyu knew his own standing well and walked straight toward a relatively ordinary side door.

Stepping inside, an extremely complex and thick mixed scent instantly enveloped him—the miscellaneous smell of Medicinal Pills, the cold metallic tang unique to Magical Artifacts, the freshness and decay of Spiritual Plants and spiritual wood, and the slightly turbid breath of a gathered crowd...

Intertwined, they formed an atmosphere unique to a large shop—full of vitality yet slightly restless.

The interior space was extremely vast with a high-hanging dome, cleverly divided into dozens of areas. More than twenty counters with different functions were arranged in a circle, and behind each counter stood professional Attendants or experienced Shopkeepers.

It was bustling with people and extremely lively. Magical Artifacts, Medicinal Pills, Talismans, Formations, Materials, classics... all were categorized and clearly labeled, demonstrating strong comprehensive strength and deep foundations.

Lin Jingyu swept his gaze across and walked straight toward the counter labeled “Magical Artifact and Materials Recycling and Consignment.”

The line was not long, and it was soon his turn.

Behind the counter, an elderly Shopkeeper wearing a brocade robe, with a plump figure and a ruddy face, was skillfully manipulating a jade abacus, making a crisp “clack-clack” sound.

He lifted his slightly puffy eyelids, and a professional, enthusiastic smile immediately piled up on his face. His voice was loud and clear: “This Fellow Daoist looks unfamiliar; what can I help you with? Whether it’s recycling, consignment, or purchasing Medicinal Pills and Magical Artifacts, our prices are fair, and we do not cheat anyone.”

Lin Jingyu did not make any unnecessary small talk. He lightly swiped his right hand across the inconspicuous gray Storage Pouch at his waist, and several items appeared silently on the mirror-smooth mahogany counter.

A few low-grade Magical Artifacts with dim spiritual light and obvious nicks or cracks.

A black short blade with a rolled edge and stained with dark brown grime; a small refined iron round shield covered in spiderweb-like cracks with a deformed edge; a metal flying shuttle with a crooked tip and worn-out spiritual patterns.

There were also a few coarse ceramic medicine bottles with different labels: one bottle of “Hemostatic Powder,” one bottle of “Flesh-Regenerating Ointment,” and one bottle of “Qi-Recovery Pill,” all of which were the most common low-grade Medicinal Pills on the market and had little value.

As for the Medicinal Pills from Chen Biao, the Grand-Uncle that were truly helpful for cultivation, they had long been kept by Lin Jingyu for his own use.

The smile on the Shopkeeper’s face faded at a speed visible to the naked eye, and a shrewd glint flashed in his eyes. He slowly picked up the nicked short blade, brought it close to his eyes to examine it, and his brows furrowed imperceptibly.

Next, he picked up the cracked round shield and tapped the surface of the shield with his finger; the sound was dull and muted. Finally, he poked through the bottles of Medicinal Pills and casually opened one to sniff it.

“Ahem,” the Shopkeeper cleared his throat, a look of difficulty appearing on his face as he shook his head and sighed: “Fellow Daoist, forgive this old man for being blunt. The condition of these items is truly worrying. These Magical Artifacts are severely damaged and entangled with malevolent Qi; even if they were re-smelted, the resulting Materials would be greatly discounted.”

“As for these Medicinal Pills, they are common goods found everywhere in the market and are not worth much money. Calculating everything together...”

He manipulated the abacus a few times and announced a number: “...fifty-seven Low-Grade Spirit Stones, at most. And that is only because it is your first time patronizing us, Fellow Daoist.”