Chapter 3

The unsealing potion, as its name suggests, is used to break the seals on certain items.

It is divided into three levels, with the best and most expensive ones capable of breaking seals set by True Humans of the Celestial Yuan Realm, while the poorest and cheapest ones can still break seals set by True Humans of the Human Yuan Realm. As for cultivators at the martial artist level, they are basically unable to seal anything.

Even among unsealing potions of the same level, the effectiveness of breaking seals can vary due to differences in quality.

The unsealing potion behind Shopkeeper Meng is, of course, not a complete one.

Even the lowest-level unsealing potion is not something Fang Tianshan can currently afford, unless he gives up the opportunity to become a disciple of the outer sect of the Green Cloud Sect. Therefore, considering the actual situation, the items displayed in the cabinet behind Shopkeeper Meng are mostly those that martial artists of the Mingjing and Anjing realms frequently use.

Fang Tianshan learned about the existence of this unsealing potion from an unintentional sale by Shopkeeper Meng. Unlike other young people who want to join the Green Cloud Sect and often exchange strength-enhancing pills and martial techniques from Shopkeeper Meng, Fang Tianshan's contribution points increased gradually. After one exchange of contribution points, Shopkeeper Meng tried to get Fang Tianshan to exchange some sect items.

That's when he introduced the long-sealed unsealing potion. According to Shopkeeper Meng, it is his personal item. Even though it is the lowest level and not complete, it is still sufficient to break seals that are old and have lost much of their energy. Therefore, its value is a semi-sale at twenty contribution points.

Fang Tianshan has always been skeptical of Shopkeeper Meng's boasting. However, thinking of the item he was hiding, he still wanted to exchange for this unsealing potion.

...

"You need to think carefully. This unsealing potion is worth twenty sect contribution points. And, to be honest, I can't guarantee that it will work," Shopkeeper Meng sighed, "You currently have 1,009 contribution points. Once you exchange, you will need to accumulate eleven more contribution points in the next half month. Isn't that too risky?"

Although Shopkeeper Meng often hopes that all the young people will exchange sect items from him, after all, any transaction through him will bring some return from the sect. However, considering Fang Tianshan's current situation, Shopkeeper Meng still showed an intention to stop him.

Shopkeeper Meng is very clear about how important the identity of an outer sect disciple is for someone like Fang Tianshan.

However, Fang Tianshan still insisted on the exchange.

While Shopkeeper Meng was shaking his head and sighing, Fang Tianshan magically pulled out another small light stone from his pocket and placed it on the counter.

Shopkeeper Meng looked at Fang Tianshan strangely, squinting his eyes, and scolded, "Good boy, you really have it in you. You're even playing tricks on this old man."

Fang Tianshan just smiled without speaking. Previously, he was deliberately teased by Shopkeeper Meng, who was trying to get more items from him by just one contribution point. This time, Fang Tianshan turned the tables. The two, one old and one young, looked at each other with a bit of a competitive spirit.

Shopkeeper Meng was not angry. He wrote something in the record book and said, "Since you are quite to my liking, I'll take a loss. This unsealing potion will be exchanged for nineteen contribution points. Take it, ... "

He took the unsealing potion from the cabinet behind him and put away the second light stone on the counter. Then, with a reluctant look, he muttered to Fang Tianshan, "I really can't understand what you need this for. ... I thought you might exchange for a few 'Bone Washing Pills' or something. ... Sigh, young people these days, I just can't understand them. ..."

However, privately, Fang Tianshan noticed the hidden smile and encouragement in Shopkeeper Meng's expression.

"Thank you very much," Fang Tianshan said gratefully.

After that, Fang Tianshan carefully put away the unsealing potion and took the identity token from Shopkeeper Meng, checked the 1,000 contribution points marked on it, and put it in his pocket. Then he bowed to Shopkeeper Meng as a farewell.

From now on, Fang Tianshan can truly say that he is a part of the Green Cloud Sect. In the future, if he wants to exchange or trade, he might not come to Shopkeeper Meng. All the outer sect disciples of the sect have a dedicated exchange place—the Green Cloud Pavilion.

As long as Shopkeeper Meng has it, the Green Cloud Pavilion will definitely have it; and even if Shopkeeper Meng doesn't have it, the Green Cloud Pavilion might still have it. Moreover, due to the rise in status, even as an outer sect disciple, the sect will take care of them, and the exchange prices will naturally be relatively cheaper.

Shopkeeper Meng watched Fang Tianshan's back gradually disappear at the door, sighed, and his face showed both satisfaction and curiosity. It can be said that whenever he looks at someone about to become an outer sect disciple, Shopkeeper Meng always shows a satisfied smile. But for Fang Tianshan, his satisfaction is tinged with a bit of regret.

After all, his innate talent is too ordinary. Although he has great determination, his future achievements will not be high. Shopkeeper Meng sighed, thinking that for Fang Tianshan to break through the martial artist boundary and reach the True Human realm, the process will be extremely difficult.

However, the unsealing potion he just exchanged for left Shopkeeper Meng puzzled. He shook his head slightly, as if lamenting his own worries and thinking too far ahead, or perhaps out of curiosity about what Fang Tianshan's purpose might be. Or, in occasional recollections, such curiosity might be the hope Shopkeeper Meng has for Fang Tianshan. ...

...

Outside the shop, Fang Tianshan also took a deep breath.

Holding the identity token, Fang Tianshan walked calmly down the entire street to a grand and spacious square at the end. Unlike the street paved with blue stone slabs, the square's ground was entirely made of bronze, with various beast shapes subtly engraved on it. Upon closer inspection, one could even see the clear faces and scales of these beasts.

At the northern end of the square, facing south, stood a solitary pavilion. The entire pavilion looked very ancient, not tall, only three stories. However, standing on one side of the square, Fang Tianshan could feel the solemnity emanating from the pavilion.

This pavilion is the exclusive place for the outer sect disciples of the Green Cloud Sect to exchange and trade. All the people entering and exiting the pavilion are in a hurry, wearing a cloud-shaped emblem on their chests, which is the symbol of the outer sect disciples.

Once upon a time, Fang Tianshan also stood at a corner of the square, looking far away at this Green Cloud Pavilion. It is said that this pavilion has existed since the establishment of the Green Cloud Sect. For hundreds of years, through the ups and downs of the Green Cloud Sect, the Green Cloud Pavilion has experienced and endured everything. Inside the pavilion, there are many ordinary disciples who are eager for pills, martial techniques, and countless sect honors.

Fang Tianshan, however, has never entered it, and even the opportunity to get close is rare.

As the first gateway of the Green Cloud Sect to the outside world, the existence of the Green Cloud Pavilion is the symbol of the entire Green Cloud Town. Therefore, the surroundings of the Green Cloud Pavilion are protected by thirty-six restrictions. Anyone who does not wear the sect's identity emblem and enters rashly will immediately trigger the restrictions.

The consequences will be dire. At least, in the past three years, Fang Tianshan has never seen or even heard of such an incident.

The Green Cloud Town is a small town built around the Green Cloud Pavilion. Most of the residents are ordinary disciples of the Green Cloud Sect like Fang Tianshan. In addition, a few outer sect disciples also live in the town.

However, compared to ordinary disciples, outer sect disciples are a completely different world. Most outer sect disciples, even in the Green Cloud Town, gather closer to the north, near the sect's main location.

There is rarely any interaction between the two.

Fang Tianshan first looked at the sky, touched the identity token in his pocket, and carefully rubbed it. Finally, he took the first step onto the square. Then, the identity token mysteriously glowed, emitting a cloud-like light, which quickly disappeared, as if it had never appeared.

At this moment, a few outer sect disciples passed by on the square. When they saw Fang Tianshan, they just nodded silently, showing a bit of friendliness, and then hurried away.

Fang Tianshan knew that the light emitted by the identity token was the result of triggering the restrictions. Because the contribution points in the identity token had reached 1,000, Fang Tianshan was unharmed. However, such passive defense can only be used once for each identity token.

Inside the Green Cloud Pavilion, an outer sect officer greeted Fang Tianshan. He was about the same age as Shopkeeper Meng, around fifty, but he did not smile. Seeing Fang Tianshan arrive, he directly said, "Give me your identity token."

As he spoke, he extended his hand, as if demanding it.

After Fang Tianshan handed over the identity token, the officer checked it and confirmed it was correct. He then looked at Fang Tianshan again, turned around, took a badge from under the counter, recorded the information, and threw it to Fang Tianshan, saying, "Take it. Congratulations on becoming an outer sect disciple of the Green Cloud Sect. I hope you continue to work hard."

Then, he threw over a thin booklet and said, "If you have any questions, read this 'Newcomer's Handbook.'"

Fang Tianshan did not show any dissatisfaction, put away the items, and turned to leave the Green Cloud Pavilion. He did not even glance at the pills and martial techniques displayed inside.

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