Song Changsheng exchanged a glance with Peng Siying, and they both saw the confusion in each other's eyes.
In this place, and given that the man before them worked for the black market, the "Pavilion Master" he mentioned could only refer to one person: the head of this entire building.
"Hey, hey, hey, are you sure you didn't make a mistake? Are you certain the Pavilion Master asked for him and not me?" Peng Siying said, visibly annoyed. As the young lady of the prestigious Wanlong Merchant Guild, she had spent an enormous sum here and never once been granted an audience with the Pavilion Master. So how was it that this guy, on his very first visit, was already receiving such an honor?
The black-robed man replied seriously, "The Pavilion Master specifically requested this fellow Daoist."
Anyone else might've been thrilled by such an unexpected honor, but Song Changsheng's heart sank sharply.
He never thought of himself as particularly special, not even as a transmigrator. He was, after all, just an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator.
In the remote southwestern corner of the Great Qi cultivation world, he might be a figure of some significance, but in a place like this black market, he was merely one of countless stars in the sky, easily overlooked.
Which was exactly why he didn't believe he possessed anything that would warrant such special attention from a true powerhouse.
Thinking back over the day's events, a suspicion was already forming in his heart. Could it be that I've been exposed?
"I hope I'm just overthinking it."
Letting out a quiet sigh, Song Changsheng looked at the man before him and said, "I'm honored by the Pavilion Master's invitation. Naturally, I wouldn't decline. Please, lead the way."
"Right this way," the man said, turning to walk deeper into the building.
Before following, Song Changsheng turned to Peng Siying and gave a cupped-fist salute. "I haven't had a chance to properly introduce myself, Song Changsheng, from the Great Qi cultivation world. I'll have to trouble you to look into the matter of the Flood Dragon Scales."
"You don't want me to go with you? If anything does happen, given my identity, I'm sure the Pavilion Master would at least give me some consideration," Peng Siying offered, clearly concerned.
She wasn't foolish, just caught off guard earlier. Now that she'd had time to think, she was beginning to worry. After all, this had all started because of her.
Song Changsheng smiled and shook his head. "The Pavilion Master specifically asked for me. There's no way he'd allow anyone else to come along. Besides, with someone of his status, there's no reason for him to hold a grudge against someone like me. Who knows, this might even be a great opportunity. No need to worry, Fellow Daoist. I'll be waiting here at midday on the sixth for your good news."
"You make a good point. But if the Pavilion Master is angry about the spirit stone gambling incident, just give him my name. I'll take full responsibility."
Despite being a compulsive gambler who almost always lost, and a bit too concerned with face, Peng Siying proved herself loyal in a pinch, something that made Song Changsheng like her even more.
"I doubt it'll come to that. I'll be off now."
After saying his farewells, Song Changsheng quickly followed the black-robed man.
The man led him straight to the top floor and stopped in front of a closed door. "Please enter on your own."
"Much appreciated."
Song Changsheng bowed in thanks, tidied his robes, then approached the door and respectfully requested an audience.
"Come in," said a voice from within.
The tone was warm and gentle, like a spring breeze. It immediately eased the tension in Song Changsheng's chest. It didn't sound like someone looking to mete out punishment.
Pushing open the door, he was greeted by an embroidered screen featuring a landscape of mountains and rivers. Behind it, a seated figure could be vaguely seen.
The room itself was simply furnished, yet everything within seemed meticulously arranged, exuding a sense of harmony and balance.
Song Changsheng didn't dare act casually. He stopped before the screen and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Pavilion Master."
"No need to be so formal. Come closer."
Song Changsheng walked around the screen and finally laid eyes on the Pavilion Master.
He was a middle-aged man with an extraordinary bearing, seated cross-legged atop a jade bed. He wore a silver-white robe adorned with fish-scale patterns, a high crown on his head, a jade pendant on his waist, and simple cloth shoes on his feet.
His presence was calm, almost indistinguishable from that of a mortal except for his eyes, which shone like stars in the night sky, drawing in the gaze irresistibly.
"I am the Pavilion Master of this place. You may call me Master Bai," he said with a reassuring smile. His voice was gentle and completely free of the usual arrogance or authority of those in power.
"I am Song Changsheng, from the Great Qi cultivation world. I greet Master Bai."
He didn't attempt to hide his identity. From the moment he laid eyes on this man, a single phrase rose in his mind: unfathomable depth.
Over the years, Song Changsheng had seen his share of powerful cultivators, including many at the Purple Mansion level.
But only one other person gave him the same sense of mystery and awe as the enigmatic City Lord of that great city.
In front of someone like this, there was no point in hiding anything. Trying to play clever would only backfire. That kind of misstep would cost far more than it was worth.
"The Great Qi cultivation world… Things haven't been too peaceful over there lately, have they?" Master Bai said casually, gesturing for Song Changsheng to take a seat behind the screen.
"There's been some unrest," Song Changsheng agreed cautiously, avoiding any deeper elaboration.
The Great Qi cultivation world is far more than merely "unsettled"; it is on the brink of crisis. If outsiders were to catch wind of this, it could spell total disaster.
"Hehe, are you wondering why I asked to see you?" Pavilion Master Bai gently lifted the teacup beside him and smiled faintly.
"I assume it's because of what happened earlier with the spirit stone gambling," Song Changsheng answered honestly.
Pavilion Master Bai smiled, his eyes crinkling slightly as he stroked his beard. "If I'm not mistaken, you've cultivated some kind of unusual eye technique that lets you see through the spirit stones, yes?"
"Your insight is truly sharp, Pavilion Master. I have indeed cultivated such a technique. That said… no one ever mentioned that using it in stone gambling was forbidden, right?" Seeing that Bai didn't seem angry, Song Changsheng's courage grew, and he began trying to justify himself.
"There's no need to worry, I don't intend to punish you," Bai said with a calm wave of his hand. "To be precise, the original purpose behind establishing this Stone Gambling Pavilion was to find talents like you."
Song Changsheng was taken aback.
Seeing his confusion, Bai chuckled softly. "I won't keep you guessing.
"You may already know where these spirit stones come from. That's right, they were excavated from the ruins of an ancient battlefield where immortals and demons once fought.
"Our goal in digging up these stones has always been to find a certain... item. But due to specific constraints, we require individuals who can perceive the contents hidden within the stones, people like you.
"That's the real reason the Stone Gambling Pavilion was founded. That's also why no restrictions were ever placed on using special means like eye techniques to gamble.
"The first time you used your technique, I noticed you. And after watching how things unfolded between the Chen and Peng family juniors, I was able to confirm the uniqueness of your ability. That's why I had someone bring you here.
"Now, little friend, would you be interested in lending me a hand? Regardless of success or failure, I promise you'll be well rewarded."
Song Changsheng was surprised by how direct the man was about his intentions and even more surprised by the reason for his summons.
If what Bai said was true, accepting this task would likely mean venturing into the ancient battlefield of immortals and demons, a place where life and death would hang by a thread. He hesitated. The risks were daunting.
Sensing his hesitation, Pavilion Master Bai didn't press him, instead saying gently, "Why don't you name your terms, then?"
The man's easygoing attitude came as a surprise. With his power, he could've easily forced Song Changsheng to comply, but instead, he was offering terms. It was both shocking and a testament to his sincerity.
Still, no matter how good the reward, it wouldn't matter if he didn't survive to enjoy it. Song Changsheng's mind raced, trying to come up with a tactful way to decline.
But then Bai suddenly set down his teacup and said, "Now that I think about it, perhaps I was a bit hasty. It's only natural that you'd need time to consider.
"You're still young, yet your cultivation is already impressive. I'd wager you're close to reaching the peak of Foundation Establishment. Allow me to make the first offer: how about a piece of Yin-Yang Purpleheart Essence?"
"Yin-Yang Purpleheart Essence?" Song Changsheng's heart skipped a beat. Now that offer truly tempted him.
Song Xianming was about to go into seclusion to attempt a breakthrough into the Purple Mansion realm. With his exceptional talent and prior experience, the odds of success were high, and he no longer needed this rare material.
Meanwhile, Song Changsheng had already reached the peak of mid-Foundation Establishment, and his mental state had advanced to late-Foundation perfection. With the help of the Thousand-Year Spirit Marrow Liquid he had acquired earlier, he could break into late-Foundation at any time.
The Purple Mansion stage was drawing closer. He needed to start preparing.
Breaking into the Purple Mansion realm was ten times more dangerous than the Foundation Establishment breakthrough. No one could claim absolute confidence in surviving it, certainly not him.
Which made the Yin-Yang Purpleheart Essence incredibly valuable to him.
But… the risks involved were equally overwhelming.
"There's no need to rush your decision," Bai said kindly. "The ancient battlefield won't open for another few years. For now, we're only gathering potential candidates.
"Take some time to carefully weigh the pros and cons. If you're interested in participating, report to the location recorded in this jade slip on the first day of the tenth month, five years from now."
As he spoke, he handed Song Changsheng a jade slip and then waved his hand. "I'm feeling a bit tired now. You may go."
Holding the jade slip, Song Changsheng finally breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, he hadn't been forced to decide on the spot. He bowed deeply with genuine respect, then left the room.
The black-robed man who had brought him upstairs appeared silently before him once more. "This way, please."
...
Once outside the Stone Gambling Pavilion, Song Changsheng let out a slow breath, looking down at the jade slip in his hand. His gaze was complex. Was that the end of it?
"Hey! That was fast. The Pavilion Master didn't give you a hard time, did he?" Peng Siying suddenly popped out from the side, blurting the words with characteristic drama.
Song Changsheng shook his head. "The Pavilion Master is a very kind person. He didn't blame me at all."
"I knew it! There's no way someone like him would hold a grudge over something so minor. So, where are you headed now?" Sensing that Song Changsheng didn't want to dwell on the topic, she smoothly changed the subject.
"I've already gained far more from this visit than I expected. I plan to go meet up with my companions; they're waiting outside the black market."
Even though Bai had made it clear that using his eye technique for stone gambling was allowed, Song Changsheng no longer had the desire to stay. He just wanted to get far away from here.
"Oh? Well, that works out. I'm heading that way too after all, there's only one exit."
...
As soon as Song Changsheng entered the black market, Old Ghost Redfire took Song Qingxing, Song Qingxi, and little Lingyun for a stroll around Ten Thousand Swords City.
For Song Qingxi, this was a completely new and exciting experience. It was her first time entering such a bustling and prosperous city. Compared to this, even the once-impressive Liuyun Market or the itinerant cultivator cities they had visited before paled in comparison.
All along the way, the little girl found everything novel and ended up buying quite a few knick-knacks.
After more than an hour of wandering, they finally arrived, led by Old Ghost Redfire, at the Heavenly Armory Pavilion mentioned earlier by their guide.
The Heavenly Armory Pavilion covered an enormous area and stood over a hundred meters tall. A steady stream of people came and went through its doors.
"This is the Heavenly Armory Pavilion?" Song Qingxi looked up at the building, which stood out strikingly from the rest of the surroundings. Her young face was filled with curiosity and anticipation.
"Would you like to go inside, young miss?" asked Old Ghost Redfire.
"Hmm... besides this place, do we have anywhere else to go?" Song Qingxi pouted slightly, hugged little Lingyun in her arms, and walked straight in.
Song Qingxi was already quite striking in appearance, and the baby in her arms made her stand out even more. The moment she entered, she drew the attention of many.
A neatly dressed attendant quickly approached them and greeted them enthusiastically. "Greetings! Is there anything you're looking for today?"
Song Qingxi thought for a moment and replied, "I'd like to buy a few suitable magic tools."
"Our Heavenly Armory Pavilion boasts a vast selection of magical implements, ranging from first-tier artifacts to full-fledged spiritual treasures. May I ask what level of item you are seeking?"
She glanced briefly at Song Qingxing, who stood beside her like a wooden statue, then looked back at the attendant and said, "I need top-grade first-tier artifacts and also some low-grade second-tier ones."
Upon hearing this, the attendant's smile grew even wider. He responded with renewed enthusiasm, "In that case, allow me to first show you the top-grade first-tier artifacts. Please follow me."
The group followed the attendant up several floors. The pavilion was designed so that each floor was dedicated to artifacts of a particular tier; no wonder the structure reached over a hundred meters high.
From this, it was clear that the attendant hadn't been exaggerating about the pavilion's vast collection.
When they reached the fourth floor, the attendant gestured proudly at the dazzling array of items on display. "All of these are top-grade first-tier artifacts. On the left are defensive types, on the right are offensive ones, and in the center are support tools. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to assist."
Faced with thousands of magical tools, Song Qingxi froze in place for a moment. Even she found herself overwhelmed by the selection.
Fortunately, Old Ghost Redfire was experienced. After asking her detailed questions about her needs, he quickly helped her pick out three suitable artifacts.
They were: a beautiful long robe, a longsword, and a protective jade pendant, altogether costing more than two thousand spirit stones.
That price wasn't exactly cheap for three top-grade first-tier magical tools, but the quality of the Heavenly Armory Pavilion's items lived up to the cost.
Next, they began looking for a low-grade second-tier flying sword for Song Qingxing, but after searching the entire section, none of the options seemed satisfactory.
Just when it seemed they would leave disappointed, the attendant suddenly spoke up, "Our Heavenly Armory Pavilion has never once let a customer walk away unsatisfied. On every floor, we keep ten treasure-class items in reserve. Since nothing here has caught the young master's eye, please allow me to show you our treasured pieces. If none suits your taste, we can even custom-make one for you."
At those words, the group immediately stopped in their tracks.
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