Wind Martial City boasted four renowned landmarks, each with its distinctive architecture.
The Tang Noble Clan's Martial Proof Pavilion resembled a towering spire.
The Li Clan's Renowned Sword Pavilion stood like a colossal sword thrust into the sky.
The Zhao Clan's Sharp Blade Pavilion coiled like a massive scimitar.
Finally, there was the Cauldron Heaven Pavilion.
In terms of influence, Cauldron Heaven Pavilion reigned supreme. It had branches in every Martial City across the Eastern Continent. Unlike the clan or sect structures of the other three, Cauldron Heaven Pavilion operated more like a merchant guild, engaging in all manner of business ventures.
It was said that as long as the price was right, there was no transaction Cauldron Heaven Pavilion wouldn't dare to undertake.
The pavilion itself resembled an enormous cauldron standing sentinel upon the earth, its bronze hue giving it an air of ancient metalwork. Its imposing presence suggested an entity capable of suppressing all, radiating an aura of timeless endurance that transcended the passage of years.
Standing before Cauldron Heaven Pavilion, Chen Zong looked up, his heart pounding with uncontainable awe.
Among the four landmarks of Wind Martial City, Cauldron Heaven Pavilion had struck him with the greatest force.
Taking a deep breath, Chen Zong strode purposefully toward the pavilion's wide-open gates.
Above the entrance to Cauldron Heaven Pavilion hung a plaque inscribed with four dignified, dark golden characters: Cauldron Heaven, Standing Earth!
Vertical plaques on either side formed a couplet:
Cauldron Heaven Pavilion faces forward—
No business, no money? Don't enter!
"This couplet... is truly amusing..." Chen Zong remarked after a quick glance, his expression shifting from surprise to amusement. The phrasing was distinctive, clearly reflecting the pavilion's approach to business.
"Faces forward" also implied "faces money." In other words, those without business or funds should stay out.
As he entered, a strikingly beautiful young woman, elegantly dressed, rose from her seat. Her gaze swept over Chen Zong, a flicker of scorn flashing in her eyes as she drawled indifferently, "Sir, this is Cauldron Heaven Pavilion. If you have no business here, please don't wander in."
Chen Zong's brow furrowed involuntarily.
Though the couplet had been intriguing, the staff's dismissive attitude and tone left a sour taste.
"I'm selling some medicinal herbs," Chen Zong replied calmly. He wasn't a martial artist, and he had urgent business; he didn't want to cause trouble.
"We don't accept ordinary medicinal herbs at Cauldron Heaven Pavilion," the woman said, her tone still indifferent as she sat back down. "Turn left when you leave and walk a hundred meters. There's a herbal shop there. No need to thank me."
Chen Zong took a deep breath, suppressing the surge of anger within him. His icy gaze swept across the woman's face before he turned and walked back out of Cauldron Heaven Pavilion.
Even a clay idol retains some temper, let alone a martial artist.
Martial artists, with their abundant Qi Blood and hearts of ferocious tigers, do not easily endure humiliation. If not for Chen Zong's wisdom gained from his studies—knowing what to do and what to avoid—someone without such restraint might have already struck down the woman.
"Hmph, a penniless wretch. Doesn't even know where he's barged in," the woman retorted, startled by Chen Zong's icy gaze. Her words dripped with scorn. In Wind Martial City, Cauldron Heaven Pavilion held such prestige that even the Three Great Clans treated it with deference. How could a mere penniless martial artist presume to enter?
Hearing this, Chen Zong paused briefly before stepping out of the pavilion. Perhaps they had underestimated him due to his plain attire, but that was irrelevant. There was no need to explain himself.
Two figures approached. One was a rotund man in a lavish brocade robe, resembling a large leather ball. His beaming smile was so wide that his eyes were nearly invisible. The other, Chen Zong recognized. The man also spotted Chen Zong, initially pausing before breaking into a smile.
"Brother Chen, I'd heard you might have met with misfortune on Subduing Dragon Mountain. I was just lamenting the loss of such a worthy opponent," Li Zhenshi said, smiling as he approached and gently thrust his sword toward Chen Zong.
"I'm just lucky," Chen Zong replied with a smile, meeting the gesture by thrusting his own sword forward, the tips of their blades clashing lightly.
"Young Master Li, this is..." The opulently dressed fat man waddled over, his thick, fly-like palms rubbing together as he asked with a broad grin.
"The leader of the Wind Martial Four Young Heroes... True Sword Chen Zong," Li Zhenshi introduced with a smile.
"Long admired your reputation!" The fat man hurriedly greeted. "I am Qian Huan, one of the Hall Elders of Cauldron Heaven Pavilion."
"Greetings, Hall Elder Qian," Chen Zong replied with a faint smile.
Inside Cauldron Heaven Pavilion, the woman had also noticed the trio at the entrance. Spotting Hall Elder Qian, she quickly rose and hurried over. Hearing the exchange between Qian Huan and Chen Zong, her face paled, draining of all color.
"Young Master Chen, I apologize for the inadequate hospitality and disrespect earlier. Please forgive me," the woman said with decisive urgency. She hurried to Chen Zong's side, bowing repeatedly, apologizing profusely, and pleading with every ounce of her being, her demeanor as pitiful as it could be.
Cauldron Heaven Pavilion was indeed formidable in Wind Martial City, commanding deference from the Three Great Clans and Five Great Clans. Yet, it also had to show them respect; otherwise, how could it maintain its business?
"What's going on?" Qian Huan's beady eyes narrowed, his piercing gaze and overwhelming aura making everyone realize that this fat man was actually a martial artist far beyond the Qi Blood Realm.
"It's nothing," the woman stammered, unsure how to respond. Chen Zong, however, smiled.
When he thought about it, the woman was just an ordinary person with whom he had no real conflict. To make her pay for a few taunts would make Chen Zong despise himself.
From childhood, his father had taught him to treat others with sincerity and to have a broad-minded heart. He should fight for what was rightfully his, but also know when to yield.
"Thank you, Young Master Chen... Thank you so much," the woman gushed, her gratitude overflowing. Without his intervention, Hall Elder Qian would likely have kicked her out of Cauldron Heaven Pavilion.
"Keep your eyes peeled in the future," Qian Huan admonished, his tone sharp. Since Chen Zong wasn't pressing the matter, he didn't pursue it further. His expression softened into a radiant smile as he turned to Chen Zong. "Young Master Chen, I'll make an exception this time. All your purchases at Cauldron Heaven Pavilion will receive a twenty percent discount."
"Only this once," Qian Huan added, his voice tinged with reluctance, as if the concession pained him.
"Then I thank you," Chen Zong replied without false modesty. This was Qian Huan's voluntary gesture, a form of compensation that erased any debt of gratitude. Why refuse?
"Young Master Li, Young Master Chen, please come inside," Qian Huan said, gesturing for them to enter.
Upon re-entering Cauldron Heaven Pavilion, the treatment they received was entirely different.
Li Zhenshi had come to make a purchase and had informed Qian Huan beforehand. The staff had already prepared everything.
"I'll sell some medicinal herbs and this Precious Iron Grade dagger first. Then, I need to buy some more herbs," Chen Zong said, placing his bundle on the table. Inside were the dagger and over twenty medicinal herbs. He also pulled out a pre-prepared list of medicinal ingredients he needed.
Qian Huan immediately appraised the dagger and herbs.
Common Iron Grade weapons typically cost between twenty to thirty White Jade Coins. Fine Iron Grade weapons are ten times more expensive, ranging from two hundred to three hundred White Jade Coins. Precious Iron Grade weapons are another ten times more expensive, costing between two thousand to three thousand White Jade Coins.
This short sword is considered quite ordinary among Precious Iron Grade weapons. Its purchase price would be around two thousand White Jade Coins, but the selling price to Cauldron Heaven Pavilion would naturally be lower, around eighteen hundred White Jade Coins.
The medicinal herbs range from Grade Two to Grade Five. Grade Two herbs usually cost one hundred White Jade Coins each. Grade Three herbs are double that price, Grade Four herbs are double again, and Grade Five herbs cost around eight hundred White Jade Coins each.
After calculating, the total value of the twenty-odd medicinal herbs is three thousand eight hundred White Jade Coins.
"In total, that's five thousand six hundred White Jade Coins, Young Master Chen. What do you think?" Qian Huan said with a smile, having finished calculating on his golden abacus.
"Good." This price was close to Chen Zong's expected value, making it acceptable.
"Now, let's take a look at the medicinal ingredients you need, Young Master Chen." Qian Huan put down the abacus, picked up the list, and opened it. His small eyes seemed to light up as he admired the handwriting. "Beautiful calligraphy! I never expected that Young Master Chen, with his exceptional sword technique, would also have such exquisite penmanship."
"You flatter me," Chen Zong said with a smile. He hadn't deliberately practiced calligraphy; his writing used to be quite ordinary. But ever since obtaining the Mysterious Sword Tip, everything had changed. As his martial arts cultivation advanced and his understanding of his own power deepened—especially through his mastery of sword technique—his writing had subtly improved, becoming ten times better than before.
"Excellent calligraphy!" Qian Huan exclaimed, his discerning eyes appreciating the art. "Each stroke carries the essence of a sword. Young Master Chen's sword technique is even more profound than the rumors suggest. However, some of these medicinal ingredients are quite expensive."
"There are fifteen types of medicinal ingredients in total. Let me calculate the cost," Qian Huan said, picking up his golden abacus.
"Young Master Chen, after applying an 80% discount, fifteen types of medicinal ingredients, one portion each, will cost 6,600 White Jade Coins," Qian Huan said with a smile.
Chen Zong had mentally prepared himself, but the price still startled him.
"Then let's start with one portion for now," Chen Zong said, pulling out another money note.
Qian Huan gave the order, and staff immediately began preparing the medicinal ingredients Chen Zong required.
"Hall Elder Qian, does the Cauldron Heaven Pavilion have any treasures that can restore one's Qi Blood and cultivation base?" Chen Zong asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"We don't have any here," Qian Huan replied, causing Chen Zong's heart to sink. "But you can purchase them from the Main City. Alternatively, you can place an order here, and we can have them delivered from the Cauldron Heaven Pavilion in the Main City."
"What's the price?" Chen Zong asked immediately, knowing that this would determine how quickly he could acquire the item.
"I know of two options," Qian Huan said, his smile faint and insincere. "The Seven-Leaf Blood Lotus and the Nine Revolutions Blood Return Pill. The Seven-Leaf Blood Lotus is the most effective; not only can it restore your strength, but it can also help you break through to the next level. The Nine Revolutions Blood Return Pill can only restore your strength, and its value..."
As Chen Zong waited in a mixture of anticipation and anxiety, Qian Huan finally uttered a number that nearly made him faint.
"One million White Jade Coins!" The moment the price was spoken, Chen Zong felt the world around him spin, while Li Zhenshi's face was equally stunned.
One million White Jade Coins—what did that even mean?
A Common Iron Grade weapon cost no more than two or three dozen White Jade Coins, while a Precious Iron Grade weapon cost no more than two or three thousand. Both were far below this price.
For the Li Clan, one million White Jade Coins was a sum they could technically afford, but it would be extremely difficult to come by, enough to cripple their finances.
"One million..." Chen Zong felt lost, wondering when he would ever be able to earn one million White Jade Coins.
"Actually, there's another way Young Master Chen could have a chance to get the Nine Revolutions Blood Return Pill for free. It's even possible to get the Seven-Leaf Blood Lotus." Qian Huan's beady eyes, barely visible, darted about as he forced another smile. Chen Zong's eyes lit up.