19: Juzhen Pavilion

The morning light of Huangsha Market dispelled the sea fog, and countless towers and pavilions shimmered with Spiritual Qi under the rising sun.

Lin Feng stepped out of the small courtyard rented by the Lin Family alone, having refused Lin Jianghe's suggestion to accompany him.

The Lin Family's predicament weighed heavily on his heart like a stone; he was not heartless, and the bond of Bloodline prevented him from completely staying out of it.

He decided to do something for his Family, and for himself, without revealing his fundamental secrets.

Passing through the still bustling inner street, and avoiding those dazzling, obviously unaffordable large shops, Lin Feng's destination was clear—a shop with a modest facade but an ancient, substantial signboard that exuded a steady aura: "Juzhen Pavilion."

It was said that this Pavilion had a good reputation, a wide range of acquisitions and sales, covering Materials from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment, and a deep background, making it the choice of many cautious Cultivators.

Pushing open the heavy huanghuali wood door, a complex scent, a mixture of sandalwood, medicinal herbs, and the coldness of metal, assailed him.

The light inside the shop was soft, provided by moonstones embedded in the dome.

The space was much wider than it appeared from the outside, clearly utilizing a spatial expansion Formation.

Rows of counters made from deep-sea sunken wood were artfully arranged, covered with clean glass.

The items displayed inside the counters were dazzling and overwhelming: Magical Artifacts shimmering with various Spiritual Lights, Spiritual Plants full of Spiritual Qi stored in jade boxes, rare Ores suspended within Formation light shields, neatly stacked Talismans, and even soul crystals sealing Yao Beast spirits…

Shop assistants wearing uniform green brocade robes stood quietly to the side, their gazes sharp but not overbearing.

"Fellow Daoist, welcome to Juzhen Pavilion.

How may I help you?"

A young shop assistant with a delicate face and a cultivation of about Qi Refining Fifth Layer came forward, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant.

Lin Feng's gaze swept over the covetable treasures, suppressing the ripples in his heart, his voice steady: "I need two things.

Firstly, a mask or Magical Artifact that can conceal my appearance and preferably block Divine Sense probes from Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Secondly, a handy defensive Magical Artifact."

A hint of understanding flashed in the shop assistant's eyes; such requests were too common in the market.

He smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist, please follow me."

He led Lin Feng to the area specializing in auxiliary Magical Artifacts and defensive Magical Artifacts.

"We have several items that can block Divine Sense probes in our Pavilion," the shop assistant said, pointing inside the counter.

"This 'Myriad Transformation Veil' is a High Grade First Tier item; it can slightly adjust facial bones and muscles to simulate different appearances, but its effect against Divine Sense probes is limited, priced at thirty Spirit Stones."

"This 'Qi Concealment Jade Pendant' is a Top Grade First Tier item; wearing it can greatly reduce Qi fluctuations and comes with a weak Divine Sense interference effect, capable of somewhat interfering with the rough probes of Foundation Establishment Cultivators, but it cannot change appearance, priced at one hundred fifty Spirit Stones."

"Finally, there's this 'thousand illusions mask,' an Advanced Grade First Tier Magical Artifact!"

The shop assistant pointed to a silver-white mask displayed alone, radiating a soft, rippling light.

"This mask is refined from the skin of a 'Phantom Jellyfish.'

When worn, it can not only change appearance and physique at will, but also form a layer of illusionary barrier, effectively resisting the Divine Sense probes of Foundation Establishment Cultivators!

It is priced at three hundred eighty Spirit Stones."

Lin Feng did not hesitate, pointing to the silver-white mask: "I'll take this 'thousand illusions mask.'"

Safety first; this investment is worth it.

"Fellow Daoist has good taste."

The shop assistant's smile widened as he carefully took out the mask.

Lin Feng took it in hand and tried it; the touch was cool and pliant.

With a slight thought, the mask covered his face like mercury, instantly transforming into the appearance of an ordinary, unremarkable middle-aged man, even his own aura becoming blurred and indistinct.

He nodded with satisfaction.

"As for defensive Magical Artifacts…" The shop assistant led him to another counter.

"The 'Mystic Turtle Shield,' an Advanced Grade First Tier item, has strong defense and can withstand several full-force attacks from Qi Refinement Late Stage Cultivators, priced at two hundred Spirit Stones."

"The 'Golden Light Shield,' a Top Grade First Tier item, forms a golden protective light when activated, particularly good at defending against spell attacks, capable of effectively defending the entire body, priced at three hundred Spirit Stones."

"The 'Water Rhyme Spirit Pendant,' an Advanced Grade First Tier item, contains the power of water essence, automatically activating a water wave shield with excellent force-dissipating effects, providing balanced physical and spell defense, and is light and agile, but requires continuous consumption of Spiritual Power to maintain, priced at four hundred twenty Spirit Stones."

"The 'Earth Essence Heart Guard Mirror,' an Advanced Grade First Tier item, is an earth-element defense.

When activated, it forms a close-fitting rock armor, offering the strongest defense, especially effective against physical attacks, but also consumes a considerable amount of Spiritual Qi and is slightly cumbersome, priced at four hundred Spirit Stones."

"And there's this 'Flowing Cloud Dharma Robe,' an Advanced Grade First Tier item, woven from 'Flowing Cloud Silkworm Silk.'

Its inherent defense is impressive, and it can also activate the 'Flowing Cloud Body Protection Spell,' forming a rapidly flowing cloud Qi barrier that combines force dissipation and deception, providing balanced physical and spell defense.

It is also comfortable to wear and does not hinder movement, priced at five hundred Spirit Stones."

Lin Feng listened carefully to the introductions, his gaze lingering among the various Magical Artifacts.

He didn't consider the cumbersome ones, the Golden Light Shield was too specialized, and while the Water Rhyme Spirit Pendant and Earth Essence Heart Guard Mirror were good, the Flowing Cloud Dharma Robe better suited his combat style, which favored flexibility and a balance of offense and defense, and it could be worn daily without drawing attention.

Although it was a bit expensive…

"I'll take this Flowing Cloud Dharma Robe," Lin Feng decided.

"Fellow Daoist is decisive!"

The shop assistant skillfully retrieved the moon-white Magical Artifact, which felt warm and smooth to the touch.

After paying seven hundred eighty Spirit Stones—three hundred eighty for the thousand illusions mask and five hundred for the Flowing Cloud Dharma Robe—Lin Feng felt the significant reduction in Spirit Stones in his Storage Pouch, but his heart felt much more at ease.

He changed the subject: "Does your esteemed Pavilion acquire Yao Beast Materials?"

"Of course!

Our Pavilion offers fair prices, treating young and old without deception."

The shop assistant's spirits lifted.

Lin Feng walked to a relatively secluded corner and communicated with his Storage Pouch using his Divine Sense.

Immediately, a pile of cleanly processed Yao Beast Materials appeared on the ground: dozens of sharp sawfish main bone spines, hundreds of scales shimmering with cold light, dozens of Ironclad Crab pincer scraps, dozens of Reefback Turtle shell spikes, and even several well-preserved Low Grade Yao Cores and bundles of High Grade frigid mist grass and fire pattern pepper!

These Materials were diverse, all of Low Grade First Tier, but the quantity was vast, and the processing method was extremely skilled, with minimal loss, clearly the long-term accumulation of an experienced demon hunter or team!

Even the well-traveled shop assistant couldn't help but gasp at the sight of the mountain of Materials, his eyes filled with shock: "These… Fellow Daoist, are these… all for sale?"

He unconsciously used a respectful form of address.

"Precisely," Lin Feng said calmly, "Please appraise them."

The shop assistant dared not delay and immediately called over an elderly appraiser with white hair, a steady aura, and a single-lens crystal monocle.