North Martial City • Odd Treasure Pavilion.
This Odd Treasure Pavilion stood seventeen stories high, reigning as the tallest in the city.
Its eaves curled upwards, hung with golden bells, and every detail revealed architectural styles from hundreds of years ago, during the ancient Zhou era. The characters "Myriad Forms of Vast Creation" were inscribed by a renowned calligrapher atop the Pavilion, signifying the multitude of treasures within using a term from the Taoist Scriptures that referred to all the scenery in the four corners of Heaven and Earth.
On the first floor, a distinctly beautiful young girl played the guqin, its melodies lingering. With the fragrance of tea wafting through, bronze beast-head sculptures in each corner emitted calming smokes that gently stirred the thin curtains. Gorgeous girls in skirts moved about, appearing as if they had stepped into the ethereal realm of Jade Void.
Wang Anfeng and his three companions were now seated on this first floor.
After having settled Ah Ping and his son, they had planned to leave directly, but when they neared the Odd Treasure Pavilion, Master Fu Mo halted, saying he was uncomfortable because he had run out of materials.
He then pointed towards the Odd Treasure Pavilion and said,
"Although North Martial City isn't known for any precious materials, the Odd Treasure Pavilion is spread across the seventy-two county cities of Great Qin, comparable to the Hundred Treasure Pavilion. Their strength is substantial, and they should have some materials that catch my eye."
"I need to prepare some common materials, otherwise I feel somewhat uneasy."
"You four, wait for me on the first floor for a while."
Wang Anfeng sipped his fragrant tea, his fingers gently caressing the smooth teacup, curiosity stirring in his heart.
It was common for a Mechanism Master from the Mo Family to carry standard materials, but why had Master Fu Mo waited until today to buy some? Could it be that he had used up all the materials he had with him these past days?
Thinking back to the days when Master Fu Mo would always retire to his room early, the young man had a faint realization.
While Wang Anfeng's thoughts were drifting, the sound of swords being drawn suddenly filled his ears, the hair on the back of his neck prickling slightly. He looked up, his gaze passing through the open doors of the Odd Treasure Pavilion to see a fighting stage set up in front of the inn across the street.
During his absentmindedness, many Jianghu people had already gathered around the stage, including some familiar faces from the night before. Each drew their swords, and from a distance, they seemed agitated, shouting something in their excitement, but the words were indistinct amidst the commotion.
The maiden accompanying them, accustomed to the faces of the Bai Family and with a keen sense of awareness, noticed the subtle changes in Wang Anfeng's expression and guessed a fraction of his thoughts.
In the presence of the city's wealthy merchants, she was usually proud, but after seeing the Pavilion Master treat the ragged elder with respect, she knew these young people must come from extraordinary backgrounds. Eager to make a good impression, she touched her coiffed hair and started with a smile,
"Is the young hero perhaps thinking that these Martial Artists are preparing to dine and dash?"
Wang Anfeng was momentarily taken aback, then realized she was speaking to him. He turned to see a lovely face very close to his, the fragrance from her words enveloping him, feeling slightly uncomfortable yet restraining his instinct to frown, he simply shook his head and replied with a smile,
"Miss Hua Xin jests."
"Although there are many Martial Artists, should the inn's Shopkeeper report it to the Government Office, the Martial Artists from there would intervene."
"These Martial Artists certainly would not want to end up in jail, so they couldn't possibly cause a commotion."
Hua Xin pursed her lips with a knowing smile and said,
"The gentleman sees clearly, but today's situation is quite different from usual."
"Even if the Government Office ignores them, these Martial Artists would not cause trouble in this inn."
"Because today, there has arrived a rather formidable young Swordsman."
At these words, Wang Anfeng's heart stirred, his expression subtly changing. Seeing this, the woman knew he had figured it out and, without playing coy, affirmed with a smile,
"It is indeed a young hero of renown from the Constellation Ranking List of Great Qin."
Having said that, she was prepared to witness the shocked expressions on Wang Anfeng and the others, but the reaction of these four teenagers was completely different from what she had expected. The handsome youth clad in white couldn't even be bothered to lift his eyelids and merely sipped his tea, as if the Constellation Ranking List hero was no more significant to him than dust, not even worth comparing to the cup of tea soup.
The rough-looking youth with the Mo Blade on his back showed a trace of surprise, his eyes sparking with intense interest as he spoke,
"The Constellation Ranking List? Are they among the thirty-six of the Heavenly Gang List?"
Hua Xin was slightly taken aback, shook her head, and said,
"The young heroes of the Heavenly Gang, as it is said, have all stepped into the Seventh Rank Realm, and are currently busy seeking opportunities to break through to the Middle Third Rank Realm. How could they possibly be here…"
"Then, are they from the seventy-two of the Earthly Fiend List?"
Hua Xin's smile faltered slightly, and she was surprised to think that the backgrounds of these young men might be even more formidable than she had imagined. The only reason they could react this way was possible because among their acquaintances were the heroes listed on the Constellation Ranking List. Her thoughts raced rapidly, but her voice remained gentle as she said,
"No, not them either..."
"This person is ranked two hundred and ninety-eight among the three hundred and sixty-five young heroes, 'Flying Cloud Swordsman' Chang Yongyan. His Qinggong and swordsmanship are both exceptionally good. It is said that he once, alone with his sword, successively defeated nine Ninth Grade swordsmen and even killed the Jianghu bandit Stone Lion. Only with such formidable martial arts can one be listed."
Her voice was tinged with admiration.
Wang Anfeng set down the teacup in his hand and spoke,
"They have set up this arena. In a little while, will that young hero be taking action?"
His voice was calm, but he felt quite stirred inside.
One of the requirements Jiu Zizai laid out for him was to make it onto the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends List. And the simplest way to get listed was to challenge a martial artist who was already named on the list.
However, the number of young martial artists in the world was beyond count, and challenging anyone required qualifications.
Thus, the Constellation Ranking List had an unwritten rule.
To challenge the Heavenly Gang List, one must be on the Earthly Fiend List, and so on. Having just heard Hua Xin recount the achievements of this young hero, he felt he might be qualified for a match and was quite moved by the thought.
Hearing him, Hua Xin shook her head, thinking that Wang Anfeng's question was naively pitiful, completely ignorant of the vast differences in status and identity in the Jianghu, and said,
"The young hero jests. How could such a thing be possible?"
"This arena has been set up by a wealthy individual in the town. Word was sent out to the County City gangs a month in advance. Any attendees can receive ten taels of patterned silver, and the victor of the arena will have the opportunity to cross swords with young master Chang Yongyan."
"It seems the martial competition is about to begin now…"
Wang Anfeng nodded slightly, now understanding why these past few days in North Martial City had seen so many minor sect martial artists. He also felt a touch of disappointment.
Looking at the many martial artists, who knew how much time would be consumed fighting round after round.
If he participated, whether he could actually cross swords with that young hero today remained uncertain.
With his thoughts spinning, he suppressed his original intention.