15: Chapter 15 Treasure Pavilion

The night was as dark as ink, and the stars were hidden.

District A of Canglan Base City, Cloud Peak Manor.

"Huff... huff..."

Su Yu was bare-chested, sweat sliding down the lines of his lean, powerful muscles.

A faint, hazy gray current swirled around him—a phenomenon of Qi and blood being pushed to their absolute limit.

With every breath, the free-floating Spiritual Qi in the surrounding air surged into his body like moths to a flame, nourishing his Meridians.

A day of intensive practical training had left him covered in bruises, but it had also allowed him to touch the threshold of the Qi and Blood Realm Late Stage.

Second-floor terrace.

Su Wu stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze piercing through the tempered glass as he quietly watched his son downstairs.

The night wind blew against his loose training robes, making them rustle loudly.

"This kid is even more driven than I was back then."

A gratified curve appeared at the corner of Su Wu's mouth.

With a thought, the azure System panel that only he could see rippled before his eyes like water:

· [Host: Su Wu]

· [Bound Scion: Su Yu]

· [Scion Realm: Qi and Blood Realm Late Stage]

· [Host Realm: Martial King Realm Late Stage]

· [Cultivation Technique: "Primal Chaos One Qi Technique" (Perfection/Evolved from Qi-Breaking Formula)]

· [Martial Skill: "Wild Bull Fist" (Perfection/Fist Intent birthed), "Void-Breaking Blade" (Perfection/Saber Intent birthed), "Leaf-Treading Footwork" (Major Achievement)]

· [Combat Technique: Micro-level]

Looking at this string of luxurious data, the light in Su Wu's eyes flickered slightly.

"Martial King Late Stage..."

He clenched his fist, feeling the power within him as vast as the boundless ocean.

In just one week, as Su Yu made frantic progress, his Realm had also skyrocketed like a rocket, soaring all the way from a newly advanced Martial King to the Late Stage.

This kind of power, if placed in a small base city like Canglan, would already make him an undisputed "god."

"But it's still not enough."

Su Wu looked toward the north, where the broader starry sky lay, and where enemies might exist.

"There are less than three months left until the Martial Arts College Entrance Examination. According to the conventions of previous years, the exam will not only feature Geniuses from various base cities, but there might even be seeded contestants parachuted in from 'above.' It wouldn't even be impossible for there to be Grandmaster Realm Prodigy candidates."

"Although Yu'er has the Chaos Body, he started too late. If he wants to sweep the nation and take the top spot three months from now, hard training alone won't be enough."

"Literature is for the poor, while martial arts are for the rich. The Chaos Body is a gold-swallowing beast; it must be piled high with massive amounts of resources!"

At this thought, a flash of decisiveness crossed Su Wu's eyes.

The previous B-grade potions had already been exhausted by Su Yu; new "fuel" had to be replenished.

"Tomorrow, I'll take a trip to District B."

...

The next morning.

Sunlight pierced through the clouds, awakening this steel behemoth.

Su Yu went to school early, wolfing down three large bowls of mutated beast meat porridge before leaving.

Watching his son's energetic back, Su Wu tidied up, changed into an inconspicuous gray casual outfit, and headed out.

District B, Canglan Base City.

If District F was the slums and District A was the backyard of the powerful, then District B was the economic heart of the entire base.

Here, every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, and skyscrapers stood tall.

Giant holographic advertisements crisscrossed the air, showcasing various new models of alloy combat blades, genetic potions, and protective suits. Luxury cars shuttled through the streets, and most pedestrians were smartly dressed; even the roadside patrols had equipment that was more than a grade better than those in District F.

With his hands in his pockets, Su Wu strolled leisurely through the bustling streets.

His simple gray suit seemed somewhat out of place among this crowd of finely dressed people.

But he didn't care.

At his Realm, external things were like drifting clouds.

Even if he were draped in a burlap sack, he would still be a Martial King.

"Treasure Pavilion..."

Su Wu stopped and looked up at the magnificent ancient-style building ahead.

This was a vermilion pavilion four stories high, with upturned eaves and painted rafters.

Two stone lions carved from "Black Gold Rock" crouched at the entrance, looking majestic.

On the giant plaque, the three gilded characters for "Treasure Pavilion" were written in a flamboyant style, exuding an air of immense wealth and heritage.

Treasure Pavilion was one of the largest chain chambers of commerce in the Great Xia Federation.

It was said that the power behind it spanned the entire Human Federation and even had branches in the starry sky.

It was claimed that "as long as you have money, you can even buy the eggs of starry sky behemoths."

"This is the place."

Su Wu nodded.

He was here to "stock up" today; only a large store like this could satisfy the Chaos Body's appetite.

Stepping over the high threshold, a faint scent of sandalwood wafted toward him, instantly isolating the noise of the outside world.

The first-floor lobby was spacious and bright, with hundreds of crystal counters displaying various basic Medicinal Pills and common-tier weapons.

At this moment, the hall was crowded with people, mostly low-level Martial Artists haggling.

Su Wu's gaze swept across them, and he shook his head.

These things might be treasures to ordinary people, but for the current Su Yu, they had too many Impurities and their effectiveness was too low.

"Let's go upstairs and take a look."

Su Wu walked toward the mahogany staircase leading to the second floor with practiced ease.

He remembered that high-level potions and rare Materials were usually in the VIP area on the third floor and above.

The second floor was much quieter, selling ranked weapons and C-grade potions.

Several shop assistants in cyan robes were talking softly behind the counters; when they saw Su Wu come up, they only gave him a casual glance. Seeing his ordinary clothes, no one came forward to greet him.

Su Wu didn't mind and headed straight for the staircase leading to the third floor.

Just as his foot was about to step onto the stairs.

"Stop right there!"

A sharp and somewhat mean female voice suddenly rang out.

Su Wu paused and turned to look.

He saw a female shop assistant with exquisite makeup and a tight-fitting uniform walking over quickly.

She sized Su Wu up, her gaze lingering on his slightly worn-out sneakers for two seconds, her disdain unconcealed.

"This... Uncle." The female shop assistant crossed her arms, blocking the staircase, her chin slightly raised. "You must be in the wrong place, right? Up there is the third floor."

"I know it's the third floor," Su Wu said calmly. "I'm going to buy some things."

"Buy things?" The shop assistant sneered as if she had heard a joke. "Do you know what's sold on the third floor? Those are resources prepared for the noble Martial Artist lords! Any single Medicinal Pill costs tens of thousands of federal credits!"

As she spoke, she reached out a hand, almost poking Su Wu's nose:

"Also, did you see the sign next to it? The third floor is a VIP area; non-members are not allowed! Do you have a membership card?"

"Member?"

Su Wu's brow furrowed slightly.

He had visited Treasure Pavilion many times in his youth; although that was twenty years ago, he had never heard of such a rule.

"Since when did Treasure Pavilion have such a rule? The laws of Great Xia stipulate that when a chamber of commerce opens for business, it must not set up barriers without cause. I never heard about needing a membership when I came before," Su Wu said indifferently.

"Before? What year's old news is that?"

The shop assistant rolled her eyes, her tone becoming even more sharp and mean: "You bumpkin, our Canglan branch established this rule six months ago when the new manager took over! If you want to go to the third floor, you first have to deposit five hundred thousand to get a membership! Looking at your poor appearance, even selling you wouldn't be worth five hundred thousand, would it?"

"Get out of here right now! Don't block the way for other distinguished guests! Can you afford to pay if you get the carpet dirty?"

As the shop assistant spoke, she waved her hand in disgust, as if shooing away a fly.

Several customers on the second floor were also attracted by the commotion, casting playful glances.

"Who is this guy? Dressed like that and he dares to try to enter the third floor?"

"Probably some poor ghost who wants to go up and see the world."

"Hehe, the new manager of Treasure Pavilion is famous for only caring about money and not people. This uncle is in for some bad luck."

Listening to the surrounding discussions, Su Wu's originally calm gaze gradually turned cold.

He didn't want to cause trouble, but he hated being bitten by a dog even more.

"A rule established by the new manager?" A cold curve appeared at the corner of Su Wu's mouth. "What a grand display of authority!"

"Shut up! You old thing, you dare to criticize our manager?!"

Seeing that Su Wu not only wouldn't leave but even dared to talk back, the shop assistant flew into a rage.

Usually, relying on the power of Treasure Pavilion, she didn't even respect some ordinary squad leaders. How could she tolerate a poor person's insolence?

"Security! Where the hell are the guards! Throw this troublemaker out for me!"

The shop assistant screamed, even reaching out her hand to try and shove Su Wu.

However.

Just as her hand was about to touch the corner of Su Wu's clothes.

Slap!

An extremely crisp sound of a slap instantly plunged the entire second floor into a deathly silence.

The shop assistant was hit as if by a high-speed truck, spinning three times in the air before crashing heavily onto a display cabinet five meters away.

Crash!

Glass shattered all over the floor.

The shop assistant lay on the ground, half of her face instantly swelling like a steamed bun. She spat out two teeth mixed with blood, completely dazed from the blow.

"You... you dare to hit me?!" She clutched her face and let out a pig-slaughtering howl. "Murder! Someone is causing trouble in Treasure Pavilion!!"

Su Wu stood in place, slowly withdrawing his hand. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his palm, his expression as indifferent as if he had just swatted a mosquito.

"Noisy."

"Tell your manager to get out here. I want to ask who gave him the courage to establish such rules."