The market wasn't difficult to find, though it was a bit far from the entrance where Lin Haoming had descended. It took him two hours of flying to reach it.
As he arrived, a powerful sweep of divine sense washed over him. The intensity was comparable to the late Ancestor Lin, suggesting a Golden Core Ancestor was personally inspecting the area.
There were only three major markets in the sect. Since the fourth level was the restricted residence of Golden Core experts, the Third Level served as the largest internal trading hub for the Blood Refining Sect.
Lin Haoming was relatively familiar with the layout from his memories. Unlike the makeshift stalls of the first level, the streets here were lined with shops at least three stories high. Some specialized in talismans or magic tools, while others were general stores. However, the most prominent establishment was undoubtedly the Treasure Pavilion.
The Treasure Pavilion wasn't an asset of the Blood Refining Sect. It was an external power permitted to operate deep within a demonic sect. This spoke volumes of its influence; rumors suggested its backers were so powerful that even the great sects dared not offend them. They maintained a strictly neutral stance, focusing solely on business.
Even Golden Core and Nascent Soul elders were regulars here. Lin recalled that Ancestor Lin had visited many times searching for ways to improve his grandson's spirit root, though he died before finding a solution.
Lin Haoming's goal was the Treasure Pavilion because it was the safest place to offload items or spend large amounts of spirit stones without attracting unwanted attention. The only downside was that they didn't sell Foundation Establishment Pills or accept items that were too sensitive to sect internal affairs.
---
Entering the Palace of Trade
The Treasure Pavilion looked like a seven-story building from the outside, but inside, it was a literal palace. The structure was a high-level spatial treasure crafted by master refiners, worth at least a million spirit stones.
The first floor resembled a modern shopping mall with categorized counters. The staff were all young, beautiful female cultivators in the late stages of Qi Refining—some even had higher cultivation than Lin.
Lin headed straight for the talisman counter. He saw many familiar talismans, but the prices were standard, sometimes only slightly cheaper than his own. He had brought about five thousand spirit stones—his entire life savings. Despite his Spirit Accumulation Bead and his business with Xie Ruolan, the costs of his Five Elements Array and daily pills meant he had only saved this much. It explained why he had been so shocked to hear a Foundation Establishment Pill cost twenty thousand stones.
"Fellow Daoist, is there something you need?" a petite, delicate-looking girl asked with a smile. On Earth, she would be a top-tier moe girl, but here, she was just a low-level disciple of the Pavilion.
Lin, hardened by life-and-death struggles, barely registered her cuteness. He asked simply, "Do you have any higher-quality talismans?"
"Higher quality?" The girl was surprised but quickly recovered her professional smile. "We have everything. Just name it."
"Can I see some Low-Grade Peak-Tier talismans?"
The girl was truly shocked this time. She sized Lin up before asking, "Peak-tier talismans are only sold on the second floor. Are you certain?"
"Of course," Lin nodded.
The girl hesitated. "Wait here. I will ask a senior. If it's permitted, I will take you to the second floor."
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Meeting the Snow-Skinned Beauty
Lin waited, and soon the girl returned. "Follow me. A senior has agreed to see you."
They climbed the stairs, which were guarded by two Foundation Establishment cultivators. Without an escort, entry was impossible.
The second floor was entirely different—it was a series of private chambers, many glowing with formation lights to block sound and divine sense. The girl led him to a room labeled Kun Jia and knocked before opening the door.
Lin didn't notice the opulent decor of the room. His gaze was immediately stolen by the woman sitting at an eight-square table.
Since his reincarnation, Lin had seen many beauties, but none had even come close to Xie Ruolan. However, the woman before him was a legitimate rival to Xie's beauty.
She wore white palace robes, her jet-black hair tied simply with a white ribbon. Her skin was like cream, her features like a painting. Her ruby-red lips stood out vividly against her snow-white skin. There was a faint trace of melancholy in her eyes that instinctively made one want to offer comfort.