CHAPTER 270: CHAPTER 269 TREASURE APPRAISAL MEETING_1

THUD, THUD, THUD!

Right after Ling Chen ended his retreat, a light knocking echoed from outside his guest room.

Getting up, Ling Chen said, "Come in!"

SQUEAK!

The door was pushed open, and the Shopkeeper walked in. "Young Master," he said, "this is something a lady asked me to give you. She said she’s your friend."

"My friend?"

Ling Chen took it and saw "Golden Jade Pavilion VIP." written on it.

The Golden Jade Pavilion was one of the significant businesses in the Black Market, its status comparable to the Underground Martial Arena and Shadow Tower. However, Shadow Tower dealt with bounty hunting—primarily assassinations and intelligence gathering—while the Underground Martial Arena was where people risked their lives in life-and-death martial duels for money. As for the Golden Jade Pavilion, it was probably the most ’publicly’ acceptable place in the Black Market, mainly dealing in rare materials and selling treasures acquired through various methods.

Ling Chen didn’t need to guess who it was. Besides Lin Ya, who else would bestow such a thing upon him out of the blue?

It was a VIP Token for the Golden Jade Pavilion, which waived the entrance and handling fees for the Golden Jade Pavilion’s Treasure Evaluation Meeting.

Glancing at the Token in his hand, Ling Chen asked again, "Did she only ask you to deliver the Token? Did she not give any other instructions?"

"Yes," the Shopkeeper recalled before replying. "She also said that the Golden Jade Pavilion’s Treasure Evaluation Meeting starts tomorrow and asked you to be there on time."

"Understood. You may leave now."

Ling Chen nodded and waved his hand.

It’s worth a look, to see if there’s anything I need at the Golden Jade Pavilion.

Ling Chen thought that since the Black Market was filled with a plethora of treasures, it might just hold something he needed.

「The next day.」

The Golden Jade Pavilion was located in the west of Dong Huang City. It was part of a business district, and the Golden Jade Pavilion stood as the grandest and most opulent building there.

Inside the Golden Jade Pavilion, Lin Ya and several Deacons of the Black Market were gathered, discussing something.

"Young Master, are you sure you want to draw him into the Black Market?" one of the Deacons asked.

Lin Ya nodded. "Such a talent. If we could bring him into the Black Market, that would be excellent. His skills aren’t being appreciated by the Divine Intent Sect right now, so it’s a good chance to win him over. However, this person acts according to his own principles. I fear he won’t readily agree."

"People of the Righteous Path are often obstinate, or they’re hypocrites who are different in private than they appear. Getting them into the Black Market is indeed difficult."

A Deacon laughed. "It seems the Young Master already has a strategy."

"It’s not much of a strategy. We can only try to give him a good impression and, when the need arises, make him indebted to us. For example, during this Treasure Evaluation Meeting, if he fancies an item but lacks the funds, we can offer assistance. This person is very loyal and values relationships; this might be the only way to sway him." As the Young Master of the Black Market, Lin Ya had the authority to mobilize a certain amount of resources.

「The following morning.」

Ling Chen arrived at the western district of the city. The streets teemed with more warriors than usual, many bearing injuries, presumably sustained during the Exotic Beast Tide attack on the city.

"I heard there’s a Heavenly Level Cultivation Technique secret manual up for auction at the Golden Jade Pavilion’s Treasure Evaluation Meeting this time. Is that true?"

"What? A Heavenly Level Cultivation Technique secret manual! Such a treasure is rarely obtainable. Even many Grand Masters still use Earth-grade cultivation techniques. It’s undoubtedly a dream come true for those at our Martial Artist level. Unfortunately, we probably can’t afford it."

"Yeah! Even if we pooled all our assets, we probably couldn’t afford a single page of that secret manual."

"Enough talk, we’re at the Golden Jade Pavilion!"

Several warriors walked together into the grand entrance of the Golden Jade Pavilion.

A Heavenly Level Cultivation Technique secret manual. It seems the Golden Jade Pavilion isn’t sparing any expense for this Treasure Evaluation Meeting. Ling Chen mused, having overheard their conversation.

Although he didn’t need the Heavenly Level Cultivation Technique secret manual, its presence indicated the significance of this Treasure Evaluation Meeting and the high caliber of items to be auctioned. There might be other items he could use, perhaps Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures that could enhance his Cultivation.

Currently, he was an Eighth Level Martial Artist. To reach the Nine Heavy Realm Martial Artist stage, he needed to accumulate True Qi slowly, one step at a time. However, if such Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures existed, he could advance to become a Nine Heavy Realm Martial Artist in a short period, saving a great deal of time.

Although his current Cultivation speed was rapid, it still lagged behind the pace of the younger generation. His current strength was likely comparable to those in the top five of the Heavenly List. If he were to use the Ancient Saint King Battle Technique and unleash his full power, he could potentially break into the top three.

However, that was just the Heavenly List. Above the Heavenly List was the Young Master List, and the individuals on that list were even more formidable.

Entering the main gate, he saw a luxurious walkway to the right, with two warriors standing guard.

This must be the VIP passage! Ling Chen thought, walking over and flashing his VIP Token.

The warrior said respectfully, "Please, come in."

Ling Chen nodded and stepped inside.

「Meanwhile, inside the Golden Jade Pavilion.」

Just as Lin Ya was preparing to go out and greet Ling Chen, a voice called out from the side.

"Miss Lin!"

Frowning slightly, Lin Ya looked in the direction of the voice and saw a young man in a Purple Robe grinning at her, his face filled with an infatuated expression.

So it’s Young Master Wang Lun.

Lin Ya forced a smile and greeted the man with a fist-and-palm salute.

If it were an ordinary person, she naturally wouldn’t bother. However, the newcomer was the son of the newly appointed City Lord, so she had to acknowledge him. The previous City Lord had been killed by a Demon Way Expert during the last Exotic Beast Tide, which was why the current City Lord had ascended to the position.

"Miss Lin Ya, business at the Golden Jade Pavilion is truly flourishing!" Young Master Wang Lun beamed, his gaze sweeping lasciviously over Lin Ya’s curvaceous figure, lingering particularly on her buttocks and chest, a fervent desire igniting in his eyes.

"Thank you for your kind words, Young Master Wang Lun," Lin Ya replied, her expression outwardly calm despite the intense disgust she felt for him. "I must welcome an important guest now. Please allow Deacon Zhao to attend to you." She then gestured to an elderly man standing behind her.

"What kind of guest could be more important than I am, requiring Miss Lin Ya to greet them personally?" Wang Lun’s expression soured. Her words clearly implied that this guest was more significant than him, that his status was inferior. Of course, he suspected this was just Lin Ya’s excuse to avoid him.

What an annoying pest. I should find an opportunity to get rid of him. Lin Ya thought. The City Lord Mansion of East Desolation City is insignificant in my eyes. Disposing of someone like Wang Lun wouldn’t require much effort.

Just then, at the entrance of the VIP passage, Lin Ya spotted Ling Chen.

A hint of joy touched her features. Lin Ya smiled brightly and waved. "Ling Chen, over here!"

Hearing Lin Ya’s voice, Ling Chen walked towards them.

Just this kid? Wang Lun thought.

Seeing this, Wang Lun’s expression darkened considerably. So this is the ’important guest’? This country bumpkin of a greenhorn?