Chapter 39: The Jianyu Pavilion Incident
Chapter 39: The Jianyu Pavilion Incident
“Hmm…”
At the edge of a large canyon mountain stream on the fringes of the Broken Sword Mountain Range, Ye Yun, with blood-red leaves, fell from a great height. He instantly collapsed, looking up at the sky, breathing rapidly. His pupils flickered with fear, and all the red veins on his cheeks, neck, and arms gradually vanished, as if cracks were healing. In the blink of an eye, Ye Yun’s skin turned to an ordinary person’s complexion.
“With my full power, I couldn’t even hurt it. Even the Serpent Spirit Flying Armor only caused it superficial wounds. What kind of monster is it, to be so incredibly powerful?”
His heart was still pounding wildly. That green-feathered winged demon beast was formidably strong; just one layer of its defense had blocked Ye Yun’s full-power strike. With his current strength, Ye Yun’s full-power attack could kill an Earth Immortal, equivalent to a high-level mature demon beast. Yet that winged demon beast blocked it casually.
The Serpent Spirit Flying Armor was an ancient cultivation artifact of considerable power. Such force could turn an Earth Immortal into pulp or dust in an instant if struck. Yet that winged demon beast’s body was so tough; the Serpent Spirit Flying Armor only caused ordinary external injuries. Thinking of himself, Ye Yun couldn’t help but suck in a cold breath, his hairs standing on end.
Only at this moment did Ye Yun truly understand Uncle Han’s words. Uncle Han, with his Heaven Immortal Realm cultivation, didn’t dare take the risk. No wonder. Ye Yun had encountered such an unbelievable demon beast even before reaching the central mountains.
“And that final demon aura at the end… so terrifying. It was several times stronger than that green-feathered winged demon beast. Its speed was like teleportation, or like tearing through space. Its power made me tremble. It definitely wasn’t a high-level demon beast. Could it be an even higher-level one?”
Ye Yun recalled the moment of his escape, when an overwhelming power suddenly appeared. Remembering it, cold sweat broke out all over his body. “If I had hesitated for even a moment back then, I would have died under that immense power.”
“Xiao Yun, I sensed a very powerful aura just now. What did you encounter?” Suddenly, Uncle Han’s stern voice questioned.
Ye Yun quickly sat up straight, not daring to hide his venture into the inner mountains. “Uncle Han, I encountered two extremely powerful demon beasts deep in the mountains. One was covered entirely in green feathers, like the legendary eagle-lion… no, more like a giant roc. Even with my full-power strike and the Serpent Spirit Flying Armor, I only managed to wound it superficially. The other demon beast was incredibly powerful; merely sensing its aura made me tremble uncontrollably.”
“The winged tribe!”
Uncle Han exclaimed in surprise for the first time. “It’s said the master of the Broken Sword Mountain Range is from the winged tribe. For many years, the Broken Sword Mountain Range has been a Forbidden Land on the Purple Jade Continent. Even the Xuanwu Sect doesn’t dare cause trouble there. Rumors say the Broken Sword Master is not only from the winged tribe but also a descendant of the ancient roc clan. However, no one has ever seen him. Those who have probably couldn’t remain alive in this world. Xiao Yun, you were truly reckless. This time, you were lucky. If you hadn’t been quick-witted, you’d have died inside.”
“I was wrong. I overestimated myself.” At this moment, Ye Yun sincerely lowered his head in admission of fault. It was the first time he had been so utterly defeated, a heavy blow to him.
Uncle Han scolded angrily, “This is also a trial for you. After this experience, you must be more cautious and composed in the future. The cultivation world is vast and boundless, with countless powers, countless geniuses, and countless acts of slaughter.”
“Although the Purple Jade Continent is just one continent, it holds many hidden experts. Besides this demon race expert of the Broken Sword Mountain Range, the lord of Duanjian City is also a peerless powerhouse. The Lanfeng Sect, the Xuanwu Sect, the three major assassin organizations, and many other hidden forces exist. So never be arrogant or complacent. Understand that the wise excel at laying low.”
“Mm.”
All of Ye Yun’s arrogance had vanished. Initially, he had strength, but after this complete defeat, he truly understood that there is always someone stronger, that there is no absolute strongest in this world, only stronger ones.
Uncle Han no longer reprimanded Ye Yun and gradually fell silent. Ye Yun sat by the river, watching fallen leaves drift on the water’s surface. His mood gradually calmed. He immediately sat cross-legged by the riverbank and began recovering his cultivation. The desperate escape had left his Blood Mansion Crucible completely empty, all his True Qi gone.
Several days later at noon, the sun was scorching, like a burning fireball emitting endless flames. At this time, beneath the gates of Duanjian City, Ye Yun, draped in animal skins, slowly approached. Seeing Duanjian City gave him the illusion of being reborn.
Xiang Ke Lai Tavern, a relatively famous large tavern in Duanjian City.
“Brother, this large gold ingot is for you. Could you kindly tell me which merchant house in this city is the most fair and the most powerful?”
At a window-side dining table in the tavern, Ye Yun had eaten his fill, settled the bill, and stopped the waiter, presenting a large gold ingot and asking politely.
The waiter pocketed the gold, holding a tray, and bent over with a smiling face. “In Duanjian City, there are four most influential merchant houses. Among them, the Jianyu Pavilion has the best reputation and strength; they can procure any treasure. You might as well give them a try, sir.”
“Jianyu Pavilion?”
Ye Yun left the tavern, firmly remembering the name. Walking on the main streets of Duanjian City, Ye Yun was no longer the weak newcomer from before. However, now Ye Yun was only at the Flesh Immortal Fifth Layer. On the street, he attracted many strange glances, most of them looks of disdain.
In Duanjian City, even ordinary peddlers and porters had cultivation at the Seventh or Eighth Level of Flesh Immortal. So with Ye Yun’s low cultivation, he was a rare sight in Duanjian City, quite an oddity.
Arriving at a main thoroughfare, Ye Yun spotted a six-story pagoda-like structure, towering into the clouds, imposing and awe-inspiring. On the middle of the third floor hung a white plaque with three sparkling ancient characters carved on it: Jianyu Pavilion.
“Truly imposing. Although I’m not familiar with Duanjian City, I’ve never seen such a grand merchant house building.”
Ye Yun sized it up and felt determined. He had already taken stock of all the items he wanted to trade, including Yan Yun’ao’s Storage Ring, which he had refined, obtaining all the wealth inside.
Entering the Jianyu Pavilion, Ye Yun saw an introduction at the entrance: the first to third floors were common trading areas, while the fourth floor and above were for precious goods trading.
“Brother, is there anything you need?”
At that moment, a young man wearing a red robe over a golden treasure garment spoke politely to Ye Yun. On the left chest of his red robe was a white jade character.
The young man’s tone made Ye Yun feel comfortable. Ye Yun had been to several merchant houses before but never received good treatment because his cultivation level was too low. Most people thought he was a pauper not worth bothering with. But this young man from Jianyu Pavilion showed no neglect despite Ye Yun’s low cultivation.
“I want to sell some treasures and purchase one cultivation artifact and some Qi Condensing Pills,” Ye Yun said plainly.
“Please follow me.” The young man politely led Ye Yun towards the left-side trading counter. Ye Yun glanced around the first-floor hall and saw quite a few people, about a hundred, most of them here to sell Demon Crystal Cores. They all seemed to be hunters who had just left the Broken Sword Mountain Range.
Arriving at the counter, following the young man’s instructions, Ye Yun first took out a large quantity of spirit herbs from his Storage Ring.
“Flesh Immortal Fifth Layer, and he actually has a Storage Ring.”
When Ye Yun raised his right hand, revealing the Storage Ring on his middle finger, it immediately drew surprised exclamations from many people nearby. These people were all at Eighth Level of Flesh Immortal or above, even quite a few Earth Immortals. Most of them didn’t have Storage Rings. Now, Ye Yun, a mere ant at Flesh Immortal Fifth Layer, actually possessed a Storage Ring, naturally making him an oddity.
“Over a thousand ordinary spirit herbs, over two hundred high-grade spirit herbs, and over ten top-grade spirit herbs. All these combined still can’t exchange for a single low-grade saint-tier cultivation artifact, but they can be exchanged for two hundred Qi Condensing Pills. Are you willing to trade?” After calculating, the young man also looked at Ye Yun with newfound respect.
“I’ll trade. I also have many strange treasures. Please appraise them.” Next, Ye Yun took out all the other items he knew of or didn’t recognize—gemstones, fruits, rare woods, etc. However, he did not take out the “Bloodwing Heart” he had obtained from Yan Yun’ao, nor a few other items he felt were extraordinary, keeping them aside for now.
After the young man finished appraising, he smiled slightly. “There are quite a few precious items here. Fifty Qi Condensing Pills, how about that?”
Ye Yun nodded. The young man immediately had someone take away all the items and took out several cloth bags from the counter, twenty-five in total. “Each bag contains ten Qi Condensing Pills. Here are two hundred and fifty Qi Condensing Pills in total.”
“Heavens, where did this kid get so many treasures? Although none are rare and priceless, the sheer quantity would take hundreds of years to collect.”
“He must have a background.”
“Definitely has a background. With such low cultivation and a Storage Ring, he’s either a disciple of a great clan or possibly a disciple of the Xuanwu Sect.”
Seeing Ye Yun receive those bags of Qi Condensing Pills, the people around could no longer stay calm. Some were envious, some jealous, some showed greedy looks.
Hearing the murmurs around him, Ye Yun showed no reaction. He spoke loudly to the young man, “By the way, I heard your Jianyu Pavilion has trading branches in every city on the Purple Jade Continent. Can I apply for a membership card?”
The young man answered, “Yes, but there are rules. Only great clans or sects are eligible to apply for membership cards. Also, joining requires ten Qi Condensing Pills as a fee.”
“Here are ten Qi Condensing Pills. And this is my identity token.” Ye Yun immediately took out a bag of Qi Condensing Pills from his Storage Ring and placed it on the counter. Immediately after, Ye Yun also took out the white jade pendant representing his identity as a disciple of the Lanfeng Sect.
“Lanfeng Sect!”
As soon as the jade pendant appeared, everyone present gasped in astonishment. Even the Jianyu Pavilion staff looked over. Everyone suddenly understood. No wonder a weakling at Flesh Immortal Fifth Layer possessed so much wealth. He indeed had a background, and not an ordinary one—the Lanfeng Sect, a true Giant on the Purple Jade Continent.
The young man picked up the jade pendant, his hands trembling slightly as he examined it, seeming somewhat uncertain. He carefully handed the pendant back to Ye Yun. “Please wait a moment. I’ll have the person in charge personally verify it.”
Ye Yun nodded. The young man first led Ye Yun directly to a VIP room at the back of the hall for him to rest and had fruits and tea served. Not long after, the young man returned with a woman in yellow robes walking towards Ye Yun.
The woman in yellow looked about thirty years old, with a full figure, her hair styled in a bun. She had a round face, thick eyebrows, and large, jade-like deep eyes. She looked at Ye Yun with respect and smiled. “So this young brother is a disciple of the Lanfeng Sect?”
“That’s right. I am Ye Yun, a disciple of the Lanfeng Sect.” At this moment, Ye Yun had no intention of hiding his identity. Especially from the moment he decided to take out the Lanfeng Sect token, he had already thought everything through.
The Lanfeng Sect jade pendant was originally extremely precious, and Ye Yun hadn’t wanted to reveal it. However, there were quite a few Earth Immortal experts in the trading area who had ill intentions towards him. To reduce trouble and danger, he immediately decided to use the massive prestige of the Lanfeng Sect to intimidate these people and avoid future troubles.
“So it’s Brother Ye.”
The woman in yellow smiled gracefully and sat down beside Ye Yun. She took the Lanfeng Sect pendant from Ye Yun, glanced at it, then chuckled pleasantly and returned it to Ye Yun. “It’s genuine.”