Chapter 58

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Inside Fengwu City, there are four major buildings, each with its own unique characteristics, renowned far and wide.

For example, the Zhenwu Tower of the Tang family, which looks like a tall tower.

The Mingjian Tower of the Li family, which resembles a giant sword standing upright.

The Lidao Tower of the Zhao family, which looks like a curved knife coiled up.

Finally, there is the Dingtian Pavilion.

In terms of power, the Dingtian Pavilion is the strongest, as it has branches in every martial city in the Eastern Continent. However, its nature is different; the Dingtian Pavilion is neither a family nor a sect, but rather a commercial enterprise that engages in all kinds of business.

One could say that as long as the price is right, there is no business the Dingtian Pavilion won't undertake.

The appearance of the Dingtian Pavilion is like a massive tripod standing on the ground, with a body of ancient bronze, seemingly made of metal, giving a sense of stability and weight, as if it could suppress everything, exuding an aura of eternal existence through the ages.

Standing in front of the Dingtian Pavilion, Chen Zong looked up, his heart trembling with uncontainable excitement.

Among the four major buildings in Fengwu City, the Dingtian Pavilion had the strongest impact on him.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Zong strode toward the open door of the Dingtian Pavilion.

Above the door of the Dingtian Pavilion, a plaque bore four ancient and solemn dark golden characters: "Dingtian Lidi" (Heaven-Touching Earth-Standing)!

On either side were vertical plaques, forming a couplet.

The door of the Dingtian Pavilion is open to the front, but those with no business or money should not enter!

"This couplet... it's really interesting..." Chen Zong's eyes swept over it, and he was momentarily stunned, then a smile appeared on his face. It was very distinctive and directly revealed the Dingtian Pavilion's style of doing things.

"Open to the front" also means "open to money," so if you have no business or money, don't enter the Dingtian Pavilion.

Stepping into the Dingtian Pavilion, a young woman with a pretty appearance and good attire stood up. However, when her gaze swept over Chen Zong, a hint of mockery flashed in her eyes, and she said casually, "Sir, this is the Dingtian Pavilion. If you have no business, please don't enter casually."

Chen Zong's brows involuntarily furrowed.

Although the couplet was interesting, the attitude and words of the Dingtian Pavilion's staff were unpleasant.

"I want to sell some herbs," Chen Zong said calmly. The other party was not a martial artist, and he had come here for an important matter, so he didn't want to cause trouble.

"We don't accept ordinary herbs at our Dingtian Pavilion," the woman said casually, then sat down again. "Turn left and walk a hundred meters, there's a pharmacy. No thanks."

Taking a deep breath, Chen Zong suppressed the anger rising in his heart. His gaze turned cold as he glanced at the woman's face and then turned to walk away from the Dingtian Pavilion.

Even a clay figure has a bit of fire, let alone a martial artist.

Martial artists have vigorous blood and a fierce heart, not easily humiliated. If Chen Zong were someone without ties or concerns, he might have already taken action and struck the woman dead.

"Hmph, a poor guy, you should have seen what kind of place this is before barging in," the woman sneered, embarrassed and angry, as Chen Zong's cold gaze startled her. In Fengwu City, the Dingtian Pavilion was so powerful that even the three major families would give it three points of respect, let alone a poor and insignificant martial artist.

Chen Zong's steps paused slightly at her words, then he stepped out of the Dingtian Pavilion. Perhaps he was underestimated because of his ordinary attire, but so what? There was no need to explain.

Two people were walking toward him. One was a fat man in a luxurious brocade robe, looking like a big ball, with a smile so wide his eyes were invisible. The other was someone Chen Zong recognized, and the other person also saw Chen Zong, first stunned, then smiling.

"Brother Chen, I heard you might have met with misfortune in Fulong Mountain, and I was lamenting the loss of a good opponent," Li Zhen Shi said, smiling as he approached, raising his sword and gently pushing it toward Chen Zong.

"I have great fortune and a long life," Chen Zong laughed, raising his sword to meet it, and the two sword tips collided.

"Master Li, this is..." The fat man in the luxurious robe walked over, his thick hands rubbing together like flies, and he asked with a smile.

"The leader of the Four Young Heroes of Fengwu... True Sword Chen Zong," Li Zhen Shi introduced with a smile.

"Long admired," the fat man quickly greeted. "I am Qian Huan, one of the stewards of the Dingtian Pavilion."

"Steward Qian, hello," Chen Zong responded with a slight smile.

The woman inside the Dingtian Pavilion also saw the three people at the door. Seeing Steward Qian, she quickly stood up and hurried over, just in time to hear Qian Huan's conversation with Chen Zong. Her face turned pale.

"Master Chen, I was negligent earlier and failed to treat you properly. Please forgive me," the woman said decisively, running to Chen Zong's side, bowing and apologizing, looking pitiful.

The Dingtian Pavilion was indeed powerful in Fengwu City, and even the three major families and five major families would give it three points of respect. However, the Dingtian Pavilion also had to give them three points of respect; otherwise, how could business be conducted?

"What happened?" Qian Huan's small eyes widened, and a sharp light shone from them, his powerful aura spreading, making everyone feel the pressure. Only then did they realize that this fat man was a powerful martial artist beyond the Blood Qi realm.

"Nothing," the woman didn't know how to answer, but Chen Zong smiled.

After all, this woman was just an ordinary person, and there was no major conflict or contradiction with him. If he were to make her pay for a few mocking words, Chen Zong would despise himself.

From a young age, his father had taught him to be sincere and broad-minded, to strive for what he should, and to yield when he could.

"Thank you, Master Chen, thank you, Master Chen..." The woman was extremely grateful. Otherwise, she would probably have been expelled from the Dingtian Pavilion by Steward Qian.

"Be more careful in the future," Qian Huan scolded. Since Chen Zong didn't hold a grudge, he didn't intend to pursue it further. He looked at Chen Zong with a smile, "Master Chen, this time, I will take the initiative. Your expenses in the Dingtian Pavilion will be at an 80% discount."

"Only this time," Qian Huan added, looking a bit pained.

"Thank you," Chen Zong didn't refuse, as this was Qian Huan's voluntary offer, a form of compensation, and he didn't owe anyone anything, so why not accept it?

"Master Li, Master Chen, please come in," Qian Huan gestured.

Entering the Dingtian Pavilion again, the treatment was completely different.

Li Zhen Shi was there to buy something and had already informed Qian Huan, who had someone prepare it.

"I want to sell some herbs and this Treasure Iron-level short sword, and also buy some herbs," Chen Zong said, placing the bag on the table and opening it to reveal the short sword and about twenty herbs. Then, he took out a list of herbs he had written before coming.

Qian Huan immediately appraised the short sword and herbs.

Ordinary iron weapons generally cost 20 to 30 white jade coins, while refined iron weapons cost ten times as much, 200 to 300 white jade coins. Treasure iron weapons cost ten times more, 2000 to 3000 white jade coins.

This short sword was relatively ordinary among Treasure Iron weapons, and would cost about 2000 white jade coins to buy, but the price for selling it to the Dingtian Pavilion would be lower, around 1800.

The herbs ranged from second grade to fifth grade. Second-grade herbs generally cost 100 white jade coins, third-grade herbs cost twice as much, fourth-grade herbs cost twice as much again, and fifth-grade herbs cost about 800 white jade coins.

After calculating, the total price for the twenty herbs was 3800 white jade coins.

"In total, it's 5600 white jade coins. How does that sound, Master Chen?" Qian Huan said, smiling after calculating with the abacus.

"Fine," Chen Zong agreed. This price was close to what he had in mind and was acceptable.

"Then let's look at the herbs Master Chen needs," Qian Huan put down the abacus and picked up the list, his small eyes brightening. "Good handwriting, I didn't expect Master Chen to not only be skilled in swordsmanship but also in calligraphy."

"Too kind," Chen Zong smiled. He hadn't deliberately practiced calligraphy before, and his handwriting was ordinary. But since obtaining the mysterious sword tip, everything changed. As his martial arts improved and his realm advanced, his control over his own strength became more refined, especially his swordsmanship. Looking at others' handwriting, he was unconsciously influenced, and his handwriting improved tenfold.

"Good handwriting, the strokes are like swords, showing that Master Chen's swordsmanship is even better than the rumors," Qian Huan marveled, his eyes sharp. "However, some of these herbs are not cheap."

"There are fifteen types of herbs, let me calculate," Qian Huan picked up the abacus and started calculating.

"Master Chen, after an 80% discount, fifteen types of herbs, one of each, will cost 6600 white jade coins," Qian Huan said, smiling.

Chen Zong was mentally prepared, but he was still shocked.

"Then I'll take one set," Chen Zong said, taking out a money note.

Qian Huan gave the order, and someone immediately went to prepare the various herbs Chen Zong needed.

"Steward Qian, does the Dingtian Pavilion have any treasures that can restore one's Blood Qi cultivation?" Chen Zong asked, his voice trembling slightly.

"We don't have them here," Qian Huan replied, and Chen Zong's heart sank. "But they can be bought from the main city, or you can place an order here, and they will be delivered from the main city's Dingtian Pavilion."

"What's the price?" Chen Zong asked immediately, as this was crucial for obtaining it quickly.

"I know of two: Seven-Leaf Blood Lotus and Nine-Revolution Blood Return Pill," Qian Huan said with a half-smile. "The Seven-Leaf Blood Lotus is the best, not only restoring but also helping to break through. The Nine-Revolution Blood Return Pill only restores, and its value..."

As Chen Zong waited anxiously, Qian Huan said a number that almost made him faint.

"One million white jade coins!" When the price was said, Chen Zong felt the world spinning, and Li Zhen Shi was equally shocked.

One million white jade coins, what does that mean?

A Treasure Iron weapon costs only 2000 to 3000 white jade coins, and a Precious Iron weapon costs only 200,000 to 300,000, far from this amount.

One million white jade coins would be a significant loss for the Li family, even though they could afford it.

"One million..." Chen Zong felt lost and helpless, not knowing when he could earn one million white jade coins.

"Actually, there is another way for Master Chen to have a chance to obtain the Nine-Revolution Blood Return Pill for free, and even the Seven-Leaf Blood Lotus might be possible," Qian Huan's small eyes twinkled, and he smiled again, making Chen Zong's eyes brighten.