The cliffs were like blades, and the strange rocks resembled leaping tigers. The shape of Tiger God Mountain was precisely like a ferocious tiger bounding across the mountain stream.
It was high and perilous, wreathed in mist and clouds.
The Tiger God Temple was located atop this mountain. It had gradually been expanded into a fortified town. Stone and hard wood formed the outer walls of the fortress, and inside, the paths were paved with blue flagstones.
Here, there were inns, mountain goods stores, as well as weapon shops, medicinal pill shops, and yahang (agencies) for auctions and consignments. Although it was not as large as Yun Cang Town, there was no shortage of travelers.
Every person was a martial artist, walking with a confident, powerful stride, whether strong or weak, all daring to seek fortune in this Wild Mountain territory.
As the team entered Tiger God Temple Town, Su Yan's eyes swept over the crowd, spotting many martial artists dressed as independent travelers (jianghu wanderers).
He mused: 'Though the martial artists and guards of the major families are numerous, they aren't the whole picture. Martial artists who have learned skills but haven't joined a faction must be these independent travelers, or rather, Rogue Cultivators.'
The travelers were a mixed bag. Many people glanced at the incoming team, sizing them up several times, seeing if they were easy targets.
Once inside the Wild Mountain, this was a place beyond the jurisdiction of the Great Li Dynasty.
The rule here was the survival of the fittest. Robbery, murder, and treasure snatching were all common occurrences.
Though masks might cover faces, once in the forest, who would know who committed the deed?
"We will only stop in Temple Town for one hour. Those who need to purchase supplies should go now."
Li Jinshan stopped the team in front of the Golden Ape Martial Hall's shop and announced this to the Inner-Sect disciples.
Only the Inner-Sect disciples were allowed to move freely.
They were not guards but disciples of the Martial Hall, naturally afforded their freedom.
"Junior Brother Su, you killed two tigers and protected the Martial Hall's face, and you were the first to detect last night's plot. You are credited with another merit."
Li Jinshan said: "You can withdraw three hundred taels of silver from the accounts. All other disciples who performed well last night will also be rewarded. Go claim your share."
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
Everyone immediately looked delighted and quickly thanked him.
Although they knew they definitely wouldn't get as much as Su Yan, how could they not be happy to receive silver?
Li Jinshan had credited him with the two tigers. The intact one was killed by Li Jinshan, and the other was split in two, which would certainly fetch a lower price.
The 300 taels Li Jinshan gave him was a substantial reward. The remaining Savage Beast meat would be divided among the others or sent to the Martial Hall's kitchen. This treatment was worlds apart from that of the Outer-Sect disciples.
The crowd dispersed. Li Jinshan also quickly found the steward stationed there to report the events of last night.
Although both sides had schemes against each other during the conflict, and it seemed no one gained a clear advantage.
However, since an incident had occurred, if he didn't report it and prepare, a real accident could lead to a huge loss.
Su Yan still had some Poison Dragon Pills for body refining. While he also needed pills to nourish his Qi and Blood, he didn't necessarily need to exchange them at the Martial Hall; the pills from the Hundred Herbs Hall were more suitable.
So, after withdrawing 300 taels of silver from the accounts, he left the branch hall's gate, intending to explore Tiger God Temple Town.
He hadn't walked far before he saw Gao Zheng waiting for him.
"Junior Brother, don't rush off to explore alone. Senior Disciple told me to take you to the Sky Wind Weapon Shop to buy something."
Su Yan looked surprised. Gao Zheng explained: "I told him you want to enter the mountain alone, so he sent me over."
Gao Zheng stood beside Su Yan and said: "Traveling alone is not impossible. Senior Sister Bai Yun, Senior Brother Zhao Wen, and Senior Brother Lu Ling all have experience going into the mountain alone, though mostly for training."
He spoke half-truths. The True Disciples of the Martial Hall, including those like him who were half-a-step into the True Disciple rank waiting for a great merit or breakthrough, did have the ability to fight alone.
But training is different from hunting Savage Beasts and searching for spiritual herbs. The former is merely to hone skills and requires only fighting and exercise.
The latter two require tracking, scouting, identification, and various other skills. Additionally, they require moving the hunted Savage Beasts and collected spiritual herbs, a task that would certainly overstretch a single person.
Thus, even Li Jinshan and the others would actively choose to lead a team when entering the mountain for a proper hunt.
But Gao Zheng and Li Jinshan had already realized that Su Yan was an anomaly.
He was a former mountain dweller, and a top-tier one at that. His ability to find medicine and treasure in the mountains would still be first-rate, even with the slightly unfamiliar environment of the Wild Mountain.
As for hunting, with his archery skills—a subtlety even some Blood Shifting or Nourishing Vitality martial artists didn't possess—his hunting technique, tracking, and searching for Savage Beasts were likely top-notch.
Su Yan, possessing multiple skills, didn't need many people to assist him, unless he found too many things to carry back.
But was finding too many things really a problem?
Therefore, after some back and forth, Li Jinshan tacitly approved Su Yan's plan to travel alone.
Su Yan looked at Gao Zheng and asked: "Senior Brother Gao, what are we buying at the Sky Wind Weapon Shop?"
Su Yan had only recently replaced his refined steel longbow and didn't immediately need another weapon.
Gao Zheng played coy: "You'll know when we get there."
The two walked along the street toward the Sky Wind Weapon Shop's store. Inside, the heat from the forge was intense, and the clang, clang of hammering steel was incessant.
Gao Zheng led Su Yan to a counter. The sharp-eyed clerk recognized Gao Zheng, quickly greeted him, and called for the steward.
A thin, sallow-faced steward walked over and slightly cupped his hands: "Brother Gao, esteemed guest today. Are you looking to buy a good weapon?"
"Manager Huang, my Junior Brother needs a piece of soft armor. Go fetch some to show us; we want the good stuff."
The manager's eyes lit up with the glint of profit: "Bring out the soft armor for Brother Gao to choose."
The clerk immediately brought out the soft armor, a total of four sets, placing them one by one on the counter.
"The Quasi-Tier-one cowhide soft armor, made from the hide of Wild Mountain Stone Cows, softened with medicinal liquid and gold solution, can withstand blades and spears. Fifty taels..."
"Bring out the Tier-one soft armor. Not these Quasi-Tier-one ones."
One set of armor can cost as much as several weapons; though this might be an exaggeration, it illustrates the preciousness of these armors.
For example, this Quasi-Tier-one soft armor can withstand blades and spears—a defense most people at Skin Refining Great Completion cannot achieve with their bare skin. Wearing it allows one to deflect force and gain a clear advantage in battle.
But since his Junior Brother wasn't short on money, why would he wear this kind of armor?
The manager wasn't annoyed; instead, he was even happier.
"The Tier-one soft armor includes the Refined Gold Soft Armor, woven from fine metal threads, impervious to cutting, excellent at deflecting force. Then there is the Azure Scale Armor, made from the scales and hide of a First-tier Early-stage Python Beast, infused with metal using a special technique—it is slightly stronger than the Refined Gold Soft Armor. The former is 120 taels of silver, the latter is 150 taels of silver."
The manager rapidly introduced the second and third sets of soft armor, then continued: "The last set is the most expensive, a superior grade of Tier-one soft armor. It's the Tiger Fiend Soft Armor, refined from the hide of a Rock-Tiger Fiend, supplemented with refined gold and red gold. It's not only tough but can also reduce the intrusion of True Essence. It costs 270 taels of silver."
After the manager finished, Su Yan had not shown any intention. Gao Zheng lowered his voice and said: "Most of our fellow disciples prepare some soft armor for defense. Usually, the Refined Gold Soft Armor is good enough, but the Azure Scale Armor is more comfortable and breathable. If you want it, the Azure Scale Armor is also a good choice, Junior Brother."
Su Yan nodded. Gao Zheng was about to tell the manager: "Let my Junior Brother try on the Azure Scale Armor, adjust it to his size—"
"Senior Brother, not that one. I'll pay extra and take the Tiger Fiend Soft Armor."
Gao Zheng looked at his Junior Brother, his eyes filled with surprise. You only got three hundred taels of silver. Are you really willing to spend that much?
Su Yan smiled: "Better safe than sorry. Oh, and if anyone asks, tell them I bought the Azure Scale Armor."
Gao Zheng: "..."