16: Chapter 016 Only children make choices!

Stepping through the gates of Tianbao Pavilion, a serene and tranquil Spiritual Qi washed over him, a stark contrast to the bustle of the marketplace outside.

The interior was vast and magnificent, with the floor paved in smooth, cyan-veined stone tiles, while the surrounding pillars were intricately carved and painted, radiating an elegant and ancient charm.

Rows of shelves and exquisite jade cabinets were arranged in an orderly fashion, displaying various treasures for Cultivation, categorized into four main sections: the Medicinal Pill area, the Weaponry area, the Materials area, and the Cultivation Technique and Martial Skill area, making everything clear at a glance.

The patrons coming and going were all Martial Artists with composed auras, or elegantly dressed scions of aristocratic families; everyone spoke in hushed tones, their behavior restrained, with no one causing a raucous disturbance.

Over a dozen attendants dressed in uniform grey attire stood at various posts, their attitudes respectful; they were highly perceptive, able to discern a guest's status and level of Cultivation at a single glance.

The air was filled with the medicinal scent of Medicinal Pills, the metallic aura of divine weapons, and the herbal fragrance of Spirit Medicine, with faint Spiritual Qi lingering around, refreshing the spirit.

Chen An walked inside slowly, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings with composure.

He did not immediately ask about the prices of Earth Rank Cultivation Techniques or Martial Skills, but instead followed the flow of the crowd, looking around casually.

When he reached the Cultivation Technique and Martial Skill section, looking at the various Yellow Rank and Profound Rank techniques displayed on the counters, his expression couldn't help but tighten slightly as his gaze fell upon the prices.

Yellow Rank Medium Grade Cultivation Technique — "Iron Bone Technique", six hundred and sixty-six yuan crystals!

Yellow Rank High Grade Cultivation Technique — "Blazing Fire Body Forging Art", eight hundred and eighty-eight yuan crystals!

Profound Rank Low Grade Martial Skill — "Green Origin Sword Art", five thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight yuan crystals!

Profound Rank High Grade Cultivation Technique — "Blazing Flame Profound Art", sixty-eight thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight yuan crystals!

Profound Rank Top Grade Martial Skill — "Rushing Thunder Explosive Fist", one hundred and fifty-nine thousand nine hundred yuan crystals!

"Hiss!!"

Chen An gasped!

Farewell!!!

Looking at these prices, he immediately sobered up.

Although he was already a Martial Artist in the Innate Realm, he was still a pauper!

The yuan crystals he currently had on him, when added together, weren't even enough to cover the fraction of a Yellow Rank Cultivation Technique, let alone the Earth Rank or Heaven Rank Cultivation Techniques he had in mind!

"Forget it. With this kind of money, it would be better to try using it for the System to perform deductions. If I could deduce an Earth Rank Cultivation Technique, that would be a huge profit!"

Based on the prices of Yellow Rank and Profound Rank Cultivation Techniques in Tianbao Pavilion, the price of an Earth Rank Cultivation Technique or Martial Skill might be over two million yuan crystals.

Two million yuan crystals, according to the System's rules, would be two million years of Cultivation time.

He didn't even dare to imagine what Realm he could reach if he were to Cultivate for two million years.

Wouldn't he just shatter the Void Realm and achieve Ascension?!

Shaking his head, Chen An dismissed the idea of inquiring about Earth Rank or Heaven Rank Cultivation Techniques; these techniques were not displayed in the main hall, clearly requiring corresponding status, position, or level of Cultivation.

Although if he were to reveal his full level of Cultivation, with his status as a Martial Artist in the Innate Realm (Middle Stage), he should be able to take a look at those Earth Rank or Heaven Rank Cultivation Techniques.

But Chen An had no intention of doing so.

These days, keeping a low profile is the way to go!

"However, perhaps I could find a time to sell my Cultivation Techniques to Tianbao Pavilion!"

After dismissing the thought of inquiring about Earth Rank and Heaven Rank Cultivation Techniques, Chen An thought of the few Profound Rank Cultivation Techniques and Martial Skills in his possession.

Now that his level of Cultivation had already entered the Innate Realm, ordinary Profound Rank Cultivation Techniques could no longer keep up with his own pace of Cultivation and were of no use whatsoever.

Furthermore, relying on the long years polished by the System, he had already Cultivated the few Profound Rank Cultivation Techniques and Martial Skills in his hands to the peak of Perfection; keeping them left no room for further improvement, and leaving them idle would only let them gather dust in vain.

Instead of letting them sit idle, it would be better to sell them all in exchange for a large amount of yuan crystals to support the System's deductions and exchange for Cultivation time; that would be the optimal choice.

Tianbao Pavilion was one of the top trading firms in the Great Luo Dynasty, and even the rumored Earth Rank and Heaven Rank Cultivation Techniques were sold there; with such profound resources, it was unlikely they would covet his few Profound Rank Cultivation Techniques.

Therefore, choosing to sell at Tianbao Pavilion would be safer and less troublesome.

Having made up his mind, Chen An withdrew his thoughts and wandered around Tianbao Pavilion for a while longer before walking out empty-handed.

"Buns, freshly steamed buns!"

"Candied haws!!"

"Master, come and play!"

...

After wandering the streets for another day like a loafer, experiencing the local customs of the county town firsthand, and eating dinner at a small homestyle restaurant, Chen An finally strolled leisurely toward his home.

"Hmm?!"

Returning to his front door, just as he took out his key to open it, Chen An's spiritual sense suddenly stirred.

He turned his head abruptly, his gaze sweeping sharply toward the street corner behind him.

He saw a sneaky figure flash past the street corner and disappear.

Staring at the empty, silent street corner, Chen An's gaze deepened slightly, a flash of cold light appearing in the depths of his eyes.

He was absolutely certain that someone had definitely been hiding in the shadows spying on him just now; that gaze locked onto him carried undisguised coldness and malice, certainly not the unintentional glance of a passerby.

Who is it?!!!

Chen An's gaze flickered as various figures flashed through his memories.

In his memories, his predecessor had not formed any deep grudges with anyone, and as an orphan with no wealth or power, it seemed there was nothing worth others specifically coveting or secretly plotting against.

Could it be... him?!!!

A pair of eyes filled with venomous resentment emerged in his mind.

Bai Yifan!

Regarding this person, his predecessor did not know much, only knowing that the White family had deep roots in Wurong County, possessed significant influence, and had no shortage of Acquired experts within the clan, holding considerable weight locally.

Bai Yifan himself was also a somewhat famous Genius within the County Academy, his level of Cultivation far exceeding his peers; he was arrogant, narrow-minded, petty, always looked down on others, and would seek revenge for the slightest grievance.

Once, because he was defeated by someone during a sparring match, the very next day that student was beaten, his legs broken in an alleyway, and he was expelled.

This person's vicious behavior had long been rumored within the County Academy.

Once, a student had luckily managed to slightly outperform him in a ring sparring match, but within a mere day, that student was ambushed in a dark alley on the way home from school, his legs were brutally broken, and he was ultimately forced to drop out, his future completely ruined.

Ordinarily, relying on the White family's influence and his own level of Cultivation, incidents of him bullying the weak and suppressing those who opposed him were commonplace and countless.

Thinking of yesterday's events, perhaps, no, Bai Yifan must have definitely held a grudge against him.

And given Bai Yifan's character, perhaps that person just now really was related to him!

A cold look flashed in Chen An's eyes.

No matter who it was, if they really wanted to court death, then he would not be polite.

Taking a deep breath, Chen An did not go to chase that figure, but instead turned around, opened the door, and returned home.

"System!"

Entering the house, Chen An moved his consciousness and opened the System:

Host: Chen An

Age: 17

Aptitude: Mid-grade Martial Bone

Level of Cultivation: Innate Realm (Middle Stage)

Current Balance: 1083

Looking at the balance on the System, Chen An's gaze flickered repeatedly, pondering what to do next.

Should he spend money to increase his level of Cultivation, or perform deductions for a Cultivation Technique?!

Although his current level of Cultivation was enough to handle most troubles, he did not know who was targeting him this time; naturally, the stronger his level of Cultivation, the better.

However, the last time it took two hundred years of time just to barely step from the Innate Realm (Early Stage) to the Innate Realm (Middle Stage), which made him extremely clear that he must first deduce an orthodox Xiantian Cultivation Technique.

Only when his Cultivation Technique kept up with his Realm could his future Cultivation achieve twice the result with half the effort, and he would not waste long years in vain, squandering the Heaven-Defying advantage granted by the System.

After hesitating for only a moment, Chen An's gaze suddenly sharpened, and his mind suddenly cleared.

"Only children make choices."

"Adults want everything!"

He quickly made his decision.

He would neither purely bury his head in stacking his level of Cultivation, nor would he go into secluded meditation to obsessively deduce a Cultivation Technique; he would do both in parallel, proceeding simultaneously.

He would first set aside 500 years to deduce a Cultivation Technique; if it didn't succeed, the remaining 500 years should be able to ensure that even without an Innate Cultivation Technique, he could still achieve a Breakthrough to the Innate Realm (Late Stage).

Having made his choice, Chen An shifted his gaze back to the System panel in front of him, then silently thought in his heart.

"System!"

"Consume 500 yuan crystals, fully deduce the 'Cangxuan Fusion Truth Technique'!!!