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36: Inside the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, exorbitantly priced intelligence

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion in Baiyue Prefecture City was not as mysterious as Shen Yuanmo had imagined, hidden away in some inconspicuous corner.

On the contrary, it was located right on the most bustling central street of the Prefecture City.

It was a nine-story, eight-cornered precious pagoda, built entirely of an unknown white jade.

Under the sunlight, it emitted a soft halo. Clouds and mist encircled the pagoda body, and runes flickered faintly, filling the air with mystery and majesty.

In front of the pagoda was a massive plaza, constantly filled with people coming and going.

However, all Cultivators who walked within a hundred zhang of the pagoda would unconsciously slow their steps, restrain their Qi, and show reverence on their faces.

This was the Heavenly Secret Pavilion.

A forbidden place that dared to claim, "Know Heaven and Earth, Calculate Everything."

Rumor had it that as long as you could afford the price, you could buy any intelligence you desired here.

From the hidden Immortal Cave of an enemy, to the map of an ancient ruin, and even... the flaws in a Golden Core True Person's Cultivation Technique.

Of course, the price was also astonishing.

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion never accepted Spirit Stones; they only accepted two things.

One was intelligence of equal value.

The other was the more profound Luck, Lifespan, or even your future.

Shen Yuanmo stood in the plaza, looking up at the magnificent precious pagoda, a trace of solemnity flashing in his eyes.

He could sense that the pagoda itself was an extremely powerful Formation.

Its complexity far surpassed any Formation he had seen before; even the Glazed Profound Light Formation he personally set up seemed somewhat crude in comparison.

"As expected of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion."

Shen Yuanmo thought inwardly, suppressing all desire to probe, and walked towards the pagoda entrance.

At the entrance, there were no guards, only two lifelike Qilin stone sculptures.

The moment Shen Yuanmo stepped onto the stairs, the eyes of the two stone sculptures seemed to come alive, shooting out two soft white lights that swept across him.

[Identity: Unknown.]

[Cultivation: Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.]

[Intention: Seeking Information.]

[Assessment: Authority, permitted to enter the third floor.]

A completely emotionless thought resonated directly in his mind.

Shen Yuanmo's heart tightened.

What an overbearing method of detection!

It could instantly discern his cultivation level. If it weren't for the extraordinary nature of the Crimson Sun Glazed Scripture he Cultivated, even the secrets of his Cultivation Technique might have been glimpsed.

He remained composed and walked inside the pagoda.

The hall on the first floor was extremely spacious. Above the dome was a vast star map, where countless stars slowly rotated, profoundly mysterious.

Inside the hall, hundreds of meditation mats were placed, and many Cultivators sat cross-legged, closing their eyes to comprehend the Dao rhythm within the star map.

An attendant, dressed in a gray Daoist robe, whose face was obscured by a thin layer of mist, making their appearance indiscernible, silently appeared before Shen Yuanmo.

"Guest, what do you seek?" The attendant's voice was neither male nor female, and their age was impossible to tell.

"I am looking for clues regarding the nine-aperture stone milk." Shen Yuanmo got straight to the point.

"nine-aperture stone milk?"

For the first time, a slight ripple appeared in the attendant's voice.

"A Third-Tier High Grade Sacred Medicine. Information of this caliber is extremely valuable. Your authority permits the third floor, please follow me."

The attendant made a gesture of invitation, then turned and walked towards the stairs.

Shen Yuanmo followed him, passing through the halls of the first and second floors, and arrived at the third floor.

The space on the third floor was much smaller and much quieter than the first floor.

There was no star map here, only individual private rooms, separated by special Formations that could completely block Divine Sense detection.

The attendant led Shen Yuanmo to a private room and bowed.

"Please enter, Guest. An Elder of the Pavilion is already waiting."

Shen Yuanmo nodded and pushed the door open to enter.

The furnishings inside the private room were simple: only a jade table and two meditation mats.

Behind the jade table sat a figure whose face was also indiscernible, shrouded in mist, but the faint, lingering pressure made Shen Yuanmo's heart skip a beat.

A Golden Core True Person!

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion actually sent a Golden Core True Person to receive him, a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

"Sit."

That figure spoke, their voice ancient and distant.

Shen Yuanmo complied and sat down on the opposite meditation mat.

"Young man, you wish to know the whereabouts of the nine-aperture stone milk?" The Golden Core Elder's voice sounded directly in his heart.

"Yes."

"This item is of great importance and involves extremely deep Karma. Have you decided on the price you are willing to pay?"

"Elder, please specify."

"Information regarding the nine-aperture stone milk is divided into three grades," the Golden Core Elder slowly stated.

"Low-grade intelligence: A map of an ancient ruin where nine-aperture stone milk may have once been produced. The price is one of your Spirit Treasures, or a Third-Tier Top-Grade Cultivation Technique sufficient to tempt a Golden Core True Person."

Shen Yuanmo's eyelids twitched.

Just a possible clue demanded such a high price.

A Spirit Treasure was an artifact only a Nascent Soul True Lord could possess.

A Third-Tier Top-Grade Cultivation Technique was enough to serve as the foundation for a Golden Core Family spanning generations.

The appetite of this Heavenly Secret Pavilion was truly astonishing.

"What about Middle-grade intelligence?" Shen Yuanmo asked calmly.

"Middle-grade intelligence: The location of the Immortal Cave of a Golden Core True Person who once obtained nine-aperture stone milk but has already passed away. There is a high probability that the aura of this item remains there, or perhaps even... the accompanying spirit items."

The Golden Core Elder's voice carried a hint of temptation.

"The price is ten years of your Lifespan, and... your single greatest Opportunity in the future."

Ten years of Lifespan!

The single greatest Opportunity!

Shen Yuanmo's heart sank.

The Lifespan was one thing; ten years was nothing to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

But that single greatest Opportunity in the future—this price was too vague and too terrifying.

The methods of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion already touched upon the level of destiny.

"Then... what about High Grade intelligence?" Shen Yuanmo took a deep breath and asked the final question.

The Golden Core Elder fell silent for a moment.

After a long time, he slowly spoke.

"High Grade intelligence: The exact location of a stalk of nine-aperture stone milk that has not yet matured and is currently being nurtured."

Boom!

A thunderclap seemed to explode in Shen Yuanmo's mind.

Not yet matured! Currently being nurtured!

This meant he had the chance to obtain a complete, or even living, stalk of nine-aperture stone milk!

His breathing became rapid at this moment.

"The price!" He practically ground out the two words.

"The price..."

The Golden Core Elder's voice drifted over faintly.

"The most valuable thing on your person."

"The most valuable thing on my person?" Shen Yuanmo was stunned.

What did he have?

The Crimson Sun Glazed Scripture? Or his Heaven-Defying Comprehension Ability?

"Correct." The Golden Core Elder seemed to have seen through his thoughts.

"Your Cultivation Technique is very unique. Your Soul is even more unique. The Heavenly Secret Pavilion is very interested in you."

"We can give you the High Grade intelligence, and even help you obtain it."

"But after the matter is concluded, you, Shen Yuanmo, must join the Heavenly Secret Pavilion and serve our Pavilion for three hundred years."

"Offer up your Cultivation Technique and dedicate your loyalty."

"After three hundred years, your freedom will be returned to you."

A deathly silence fell within the private room.

Shen Yuanmo's heart turned utterly cold at this moment.

What a Heavenly Secret Pavilion!

What an overbearing condition!

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