105: There's something wrong with this Zhenwu Pavilion

Of course, Jiang Lan didn't expect to get his hands on the Sect's most powerful Cultivation Technique as soon as he joined the Zhenwu Pavilion.

That wasn't realistic either.

However, there's always a way forward; no matter what the situation, he had to go and see for himself first.

With this thought, Jiang Lan got out of bed and walked to the door.

Upon arriving in Ningwu Prefecture, he had already learned that there was a Zhenwu Pavilion branch in the city.

Pushing open the door, Jiang Lan stood still, his attention focused on the room next door.

The room next door was Bao Jing's.

At this moment, there was no sound of breathing coming from the room, suggesting that Bao Jing had also gone out.

Hearing no sound, Jiang Lan didn't bother to knock and walked directly out of the Inn.

On the street, people flowed like a river.

Wu Country was vastly larger than Great Yan.

The prosperity of this single prefecture city alone was several times that of Yan Capital City.

Moreover, the various buildings on both sides of the street were well-arranged and orderly.

As for the architectural style, it was likely due to the proximity of the two countries, as there wasn't much difference; they were basically consistent.

After asking for directions and searching within the city for about half an hour, Jiang Lan finally stopped in front of a small building with upturned eaves and ornate brackets.

The small building had four floors, and in the center of the second floor, a large wooden plaque hung, bearing the three characters 'Zhenwu Pavilion'.

In front of Jiang Lan, the two doors of the small building were wide open.

Through the main entrance, he could see the scene inside.

Looking inside the door, Jiang Lan frowned slightly.

This Zhenwu Pavilion, how did it seem different from what he had imagined?

In Jiang Lan's line of sight, in the very center of the Zhenwu Pavilion's first floor, there were several counter-like areas, with people sitting behind them.

In front of those counters, there were also some people who looked like Martial Artists, lining up.

He had originally thought that the Zhenwu Pavilion should be similar to those Martial Arts schools.

But now it seemed that it was not at all the case.

Suppressing the confusion in his heart, Jiang Lan stepped into the Zhenwu Pavilion.

As soon as he entered the door, a voice entered Jiang Lan's ears.

"Brother, you look very unfamiliar, is this your first time here?"

Jiang Lan turned his head and saw a lean, capable man in a strong suit walking towards him.

The capable man's steps were steady, and his breathing was even; he was clearly a Martial Artist.

However, although he was a Martial Artist, Jiang Lan estimated that he was at most in the Bone Forging Realm.

Jiang Lan raised an eyebrow slightly.

Although there weren't many people in the Zhenwu Pavilion's first-floor hall, there were still about fifteen to twenty people gathered.

And this person, he actually recognized at first glance that he was here for the first time?

As if seeing the confusion in Jiang Lan's heart, the capable man smiled and said:

"I know everyone who is often here. I've been here for many years, and this is the first time I've seen you, brother."

Jiang Lan suddenly understood, then became confused again.

In his eyes, this place was strange in every way.

The Zhenwu Pavilion, even if it wasn't the same as the Sects he understood, shouldn't be like this.

Now it seemed that this place was not only unrelated to Sects or Martial Arts schools, but rather resembled the service windows of certain units in his previous life.

"It is indeed my first time. I heard people say Zhenwu..."

Before Jiang Lan could finish speaking, the capable man smiled and interjected: "I understand, I understand. I see you're also a Martial Artist, brother, so you must be here to join the Zhenwu Pavilion, right?"

Jiang Lan's half-spoken words were choked back, but upon hearing the man's words, he nodded.

Seeing this, the man pointed to the central part of the hall, behind one of the long tables, and said:

"Joining the Zhenwu Pavilion is simple, brother. You go to that table, pay the silver, and you'll be a member of the Zhenwu Pavilion."

Jiang Lan: "?"

This isn't right, is it?

What do you mean, just pay silver?

He did have silver, but the Zhenwu Pavilion, according to Yao Banxian, was at least one of the major forces in Chihong Province.

Is it a bit too hasty to be able to join just by paying silver?

Shouldn't it be a test of Aptitude, layers of selection, where only those who are qualified in both talent and perseverance can pass?

Why does it feel like buying vegetables at a market?

Jiang Lan paused, "This... pay silver? Brother, are you serious?"

"Of course I'm serious!" The man in the strong suit showed no trace of joking, "If you want to join the Zhenwu Pavilion, you have to pay five taels of silver! If you don't have silver, then the prerequisite is that you must be a Martial Artist in the Qi Gathering Realm."

Jiang Lan felt a bit confused.

Could this place really have the Cultivation Technique he wanted?

But there's an old saying.

Since he's already here.

If he were to turn around and leave now, it wouldn't be very appropriate.

"Thank you, brother."

Jiang Lan thanked him and walked towards the long table the man had just pointed to.

There was no queue at the central long table, so Jiang Lan went directly to the table.

Behind the long table was a middle-aged man, whose Aura was thick and long, presumably a Martial Artist in the Qi Gathering Realm.

The man looked up at Jiang Lan.

"Brother, here to join the Zhenwu Pavilion?"

"Yes."

"Are you a Martial Artist?"

"Yes."

"What Realm? Skin Refinement? Bone Refinement?"

"Gathering Yuan." Jiang Lan thought for a moment, then added, "Peak."

"Hmm... Spirit Gathering Realm Peak." The man repeated in a low voice, then suddenly his eyes widened, "Spirit Gathering Realm Peak?"

He looked at Jiang Lan, full of disbelief, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

Although he could sense that Jiang Lan in front of him was a Martial Artist.

But he couldn't tell what specific Realm he was in at all.

So, subconsciously, he assumed that Jiang Lan shouldn't be strong.

After all, if one's strength was truly powerful, they would unconsciously emit their corresponding Aura.

Yet, Jiang Lan had nothing.

But he couldn't be blamed for this.

Jiang Lan was indeed a bit different from other Martial Artists.

After Hidden God Art reached the Return to Simplicity Realm, both his Qi and sharpness were involuntarily restrained.

Unless one's strength surpassed his, ordinary people would not be able to discern Jiang Lan's depth.

"Are you truly at the Spirit Gathering Realm Peak? Young man, don't deceive me; faking your Realm will get you kicked out."

Within Ningwu Prefecture, there were Spirit Gathering Realm powerhouses, but not many.

Those who reached the Spirit Gathering Realm Peak were even fewer, just a handful.

As a member of the Zhenwu Pavilion, he had seen many.

He had even seen Mortal Shedding powerhouses.

But he still subconsciously doubted Jiang Lan.

The reason was simple: Jiang Lan was too young.

Outwardly, he looked to be only around twenty years old.

From the womb… no, even if he started Cultivating from the moment he died in his previous life, how many could Cultivate to the Spirit Gathering Realm in over twenty years? Let alone the Spirit Gathering Realm Peak.

Then there was the Aura.

If he were truly at the Spirit Gathering Realm Peak, even if he didn't release his own 'Aura', just standing in front of him would be enough to make him breathless.

Yet, in front of Jiang Lan, he felt no pressure at all.

Jiang Lan twitched the corner of his mouth.

Well, he was underestimated again.

"Do you want me to prove it?"

Behind the long table, the middle-aged man 'plopped' up from his seat, "This... please follow me upstairs."

As soon as Jiang Lan heard the man's words, he knew.

Today, those five taels of silver should be saved.