The boat moved around, and after numerous turns, the old boatman called out to Xiao Chen, “Young hero, we have arrived at Medicinal Cauldron Pavilion.”

Xiao Chen came out of the boat and looked around. The area was crowded with parked boats. An ancient-looking pavilion at the side of the river had a signboard with the words “Medicinal Cauldron Pavilion.”

He pushed off the boat and leaped over the river to land in front of Medicinal Cauldron Pavilion and walked in with great strides.

“Hehe! Customer, are you here to buy ready-made Medicinal Pills, Medicinal Pill ingredients, or medicine cauldrons? Or perhaps you want to sell some herbs?”

A solicitous staff immediately came over to Xiao Chen and attended to him with smiles.

However, seeing that Xiao Chen was only a Martial Monarch, this staff did not show too much respect, just the basic politeness for customers.

Xiao Chen smiled faintly as he observed this staff very carefully. How could he not notice the faint look of disdain in that staff’s eyes?

Very good. Since even the staff’s sights are so high, then this Medicinal Cauldron Pavilion will not disappoint me.

“The herbs that I want to buy exceed one hundred million Astral Coins in value. If I can buy them all at this Medicinal Cauldron Pavilion, I will not go to any other place.”

One hundred million Astral Coins was one million Black Astral Coins. Ordinary Superior Grade Martial Sages would not possess so much.

The staff looked at Xiao Chen with some doubt about his ability to take out so many Black Astral Coins and smiled embarrassedly. “Friend, are you joking?”

Xiao Chen did not bother with explanations. He casually tipped this person one hundred Black Astral Coins and handed him a list of herbs. “These are the herbs I want to buy. If you have them, I want ten sets of each.”

With the Black Astral Coins in hand, the staff’s expression immediately changed. After he looked at the list, he was so excited that his hands trembled.

An expression that betrayed the staff’s intent to flatter Xiao Chen appeared on his face. He smiled and said, “Honored guest, please come with me and have a rest inside first. I will go immediately and invite the manager out.”

The many cultivators in the large hall saw the staff’s shocked appearance, which made them wonder what kind of large order could cause the Medicinal Cauldron Pavilion’s staff to lose their calm.

These cultivators all looked at Xiao Chen with doubt on their faces, wondering about his origins.

In the inner area, the Medicinal Cauldron Pavilion’s staff arranged for two pretty maidservants to wait on Xiao Chen. They brought out herbal tea, incense pots, and a platter of Spirit Fruits, paying very meticulous attention to his needs.

Xiao Chen had experienced even grander receptions before. Naturally, he did not feel reserved. He sampled the tea, ate the superior-quality Spirit Fruits, and chatted with the two maidservants.

At the same time, he got information about Shattered Cloud City and the Fire Li Sect treasure mountain.

The manager of the Medicinal Cauldron Pavilion soon rushed over anxiously. The moment he entered, he smiled and said, “Pardon us for the inadequate reception. Please pardon us for that. Honored guest, do forgive us for that.”

Faced with a large order of one million Black Astral Coins, the manager could not help but lose his composure. This large order was equivalent to half a year’s earnings.

Xiao Chen put down the teacup and waved his hand. “As long as you have what I want, I don’t care about the reception.”

The manager’s smile reduced his eyes to slits. “Honored guest, fortunately, you came to my Medicinal Cauldron Pavilion. If you went to another herb store, you would not be able to buy a few items. Even if you could get everything, you would not be able to obtain ten sets.

“Eight-thousand-year-old Yellow Herbal Fruit, five-thousand-year-old Heavenly Snow Lingzhi, seven-thousand-year-old Ginseng Fruit, Five-Colored Gilded Flower…any one of them is extremely precious. Some of them are even found only in auctions.”

The manager was very familiar with the various herbs.

When Xiao Chen heard that the manager had stock, he rejoiced in his heart. Even the long-winded introductions sounded very pleasing to his ears.

“Fortunately, my Medicinal Cauldron Pavilion has considerable accumulations, and we frequent all sorts of auctions. All the herbs that the honored guest asked for, as well as the requirements, are available. However, the price…”

Xiao Chen’s lips curled up into a faint smile. He was now rich. Just the Black Astral Coins alone still came to more than twenty million.

If he sold all the treasures he had on hand, except for the Holy Spirit Vein, he would be able to obtain one hundred million Black Astral Coins.

One million Black Astral Coins was like a drop in the ocean for him. He could bring out this amount at any time.

Xiao Chen flicked his finger, and a spatial ring flew out. The manager used his Mental Energy to scan it and saw piles and piles of Black Astral Coins, a startlingly enormous sum.

The manager’s face lit up in irrepressible joy. However, when he tried to grab the ring, he only caught air. Xiao Chen pulled the spatial ring back.

The manager felt the loss in his heart. No longer harboring doubt, he opened his hand, and an embroidered box containing the herbs appeared on his palm.

Xiao Chen stood up and carefully inspected them. Recovering his strength depended on the Heavenly Origin Pill. With such an important matter, he could not be careless with the ingredients.

“Not bad, they are all real, and the ages are right. The Medicinal Cauldron Pavilion is indeed a reputable brand,” Xiao Chen complimented after inspecting everything.

He handed over the money with one hand and received the goods with the other, completing this transaction smoothly and successfully.

The manager carefully put away the Black Astral Coins and smiled. “When doing business, trust is essential. You pay for every bit of quality. In the future, if the honored guest needs anything, the honored guest can directly come to me.

“Our major shareholder, the Nine Cauldron Merchant Association does have some presence in the entire Cloud Sea Domain. Aside from Alchemic Recipes, we also deal in all other aspects.”

The manager seized this opportunity, clearly wanting to befriend Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen’s thoughts raced. Then, he smiled and said, “I am Wen Ziran. Manager, there is no need to keep calling me honored guest. I heard from the staff that there are medicine cauldrons in the shop as well?”

A good medicine cauldron could not only raise the quality of Medicinal Pills but also improve the success rate considerably.

If Mo Chen had a peak grade medicine cauldron, her success rate might increase when refining the Heavenly Origin Pill.

The manager’s eyes lit up. He quickly said, “Young Master Wen is interested? In that case, I will show you the treasure of our shop, the Heavenly Phoenix Medicine Cauldron.”

Just as Xiao Chen was about to answer, something startled him: Mo Chen was in trouble!

“Manager, please hold the Heavenly Phoenix Medicine Cauldron for me for a while. I have something urgent that I need to handle now.”

Xiao Chen’s figure flashed with a sullen expression before the manager could answer. He left behind only a strong wind replete with killing intent, which lingered in the room for a long time.

In an instant, Xiao Chen completely vanished from in front of the manager.

The manager’s expression changed. “Where did this major character come from? Unexpectedly, he came to a small place like the Shattered Cloud Sea. Could it be because the treasure mountain is appearing? I have to inform the Young Master about this person.”

---

Shattered Cloud City, City Lord’s Residence:

Mo Chen followed the guards forward and arrived at the great hall. When she saw the Young City Lords of the various cities seated there, a bad feeling immediately awoke in her heart.

This feeling only strengthened when Separated Cloud City’s Shi Feng did not even bother concealing his evil and depraved expression, staring straight at Mo Chen.

Under the veil, Mo Chen’s expression did not change. She only started planning as she calmly came forward and raised one hand. Secret Treasures flew out one by one.

Pauldrons, breastplate, greaves, chainmail, helmet…nothing was lacking. This was a complete set of peak Sage Grade Secret Treasures.

The set of armor gleamed with many colors, setting everyone’s eyes glittering with praise.

When combined, all these Secret Treasures would be stronger than a normal King Grade Secret Treasure. Each Secret Treasure had formations that connected to the others. When activated, they would constitute a great formation.

A very pleased expression appeared in Wang Jue’s eyes. He leaped up, and the Secret Treasures all automatically attached to his body, quickly forming a magnificent set of Battle Armor that did not seem to have any defects.

“The Mo Clan’s unique refining methods are indeed extraordinary. This is really an eye-opener. Miss Mo Chen is exceptionally talented and very beautiful.

“This set of Secret Treasures is not only much more pleasing to the eyes than traditional Secret Treasures, but it is also equally mighty. All of the formation lines in each piece constitute an independent formation. However, when combined, it is another complete formation.”

As Wang Jue checked the armor, his smile remained. He did not stint on his praise.

After a while, he took off the Secret Treasures and handed them to his subordinate to store properly. Most people did not have the strong Mental Energy Xiao Chen had and could not put their Spiritual Mark at once.

A complete set of Secret Treasures had many parts.

At this moment, there were still other important matters to handle. Naturally, Wang Jue would not waste time in setting his Spiritual Mark now.

Mo Chen’s expression did not change. She said calmly, “Young City Lord is too polite. The Mo Clan’s refining skills are not as divine as rumored.”

“Is that so? You think that I am being too polite? Actually, I think so as well.”

This politeness, naturally, was not true politeness. A faint smile appeared on Wang Jue’s face as he said, “Miss Mo Chen, you know how I feel towards you.

“In these years, I have been very polite and courteous to you, following all the proper etiquette. This Young Master asks you now, are you willing or not?”

The atmosphere in the great hall suddenly turned cold as eight pairs of eyes stared at Mo Chen.

Urgent footsteps reverberated—these were the warriors that the City Lord’s Residence nurtured. The relentless sounds applied huge pressure on everyone’s hearts.

As long as Mo Chen said no, a barrage of attacks would immediately rain upon her. Once she was captured, the top beauty of the Cloud Sea Domain would be their prisoner.

Mo Chen’s expression remained calm. She had long since anticipated the scene before her.

If a girl, an extremely beautiful girl bearing great fame, did not have strong backing or incredible strength in this predatory world, it would just be a matter of time before she became the plaything of others.

Life did not have roots; it drifted about like dust.

[TL Note: Life did not have roots; it drifted about like dust. This is part of a poem. This means that life is unpredictable, and change can occur at any moment.]

However, this day came too soon. If it was a little later, if Mo Chen had obtained the Book of Heavenly Works and made a complete set of King Grade Secret Treasures, she could fight a quasi-Emperor.

“Mo Chen, you do not have a choice. I will ask once more: are you willing or not?!”

Wang Jue suddenly stood up and took three steps forward. With each step, he projected a strong aura. His pace was rushed, and his gaze was like a sword as he looked at Mo Chen.

Undisguised desire burned like flames in Wang Jue’s eyes as if he wanted to eat Mo Chen alive.

Shi Feng’s eyes flickered. Girl, don’t disappoint me and really agree.

The others thought the same as Shi Feng. If Mo Chen agreed and became Wang Jue’s exclusive property, they could forget about laying their hands on her.

Mo Chen smiled faintly and ferociously tore off the veil covering her face. “You ask me if I am willing. Let me ask you the same: are you willing?!”

The instant the veil came off, Wang Jue, who had been rushing over with a strong aura, grimaced as if he saw something extremely horrifying. Then, he stepped backwards.

After that, he tripped and fell to the ground. His right hand pointed at Mo Chen, trembling, as he quavered, “You…you…no wonder you never removed this veil in three years.”

“Ka ca!”

Of the other seven, those that were drinking tea dropped their cups, causing them to shatter. Horror filled all their eyes.

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