Consuming Earths, Devouring Skies

As they entered the shop, Ying Sumian informed Yan Zaizen of each aspect of it. "The Great Serpentine Emporium is known for selling a variety of different needs for cultivators like us, especially when we venture out into the Basilisk Forest. There’s a section for pills, elixirs, armaments, talismans, maps, formation crystals and materials. The materials are raw things such as beast cores, herbs for alchemy, or minerals for armament creation. The things you sell will likely end up there." She explained. She pointed out each section which she referred to in a timely manner, letting not only Yan Zaizen, but the others in the group, become well-educated in regards to the emporium.

Yan Zaizen was inwardly startled.

Did they sell so much?

"The Emporium is divided into three floor-levels. The first level, the one we’re currently in, sells the most common of goods. They would typically have most rank one and two pills, formation crystals, talismans and low-grade earth-rank armaments," she clarified. "The second level has rank three items and mid-grade earth-rank armaments. The third level has rank four items and custom armament you can order."

Yan Zaizen was awed by this place. Before, in the Yan Clan, he had never entered a place like this. Everything was given to him, and he didn’t have to work for anything. Even if he was given a low-position in the clan, he was still the Clan Leader’s grandson. As for armaments? He was never given one. Members of the clan needed to display a certain level of mastery in specific arts before being granted one, and his display of arts was embarrassing, to say the least.

He recalled Su Shinyan armaments. He possessed lightning armor and saber, and it was a large reason he wasn’t killed by his punch. Even still, he was severely wounded. If Yan Zaizen had an armament that could enhance his strength, even a low-grade earth-rank one, he was sure he could’ve killed him with a single punch.

A beautiful woman with a slight smile appeared before Yan Zaizen, "Greetings, Sir. Do you need anything?" Yan Zaizen and even the others in the group were inwardly shocked. For one, this person had the emporium’s logo on her attire, which indicates her status as a member of the emporium. However, what shocked them wasn’t her being apart of this place, but coming to greet them specifically. One must know that even Essence Formation Cultivators are left to their own devices to navigate the emporium, but an employee came specifically to ask if they required help.

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The others couldn’t help but glance towards Yan Zaizen, feeling that his status and background grew more mysterious and extraordinary. However, after some thought, it didn’t seem odd. He possessed a battle prowess nearing the Qi Unification Realm, comprehended a world law, and he was extraordinarily young. This indicated that his status was exceptional somehow, but they didn’t know how.

Ignoring their whimsical thoughts, even Yan Zaizen felt odd. He knew his status was equivalent to mud, and his outward cultivation was worth less than that in this sort of place. Nonetheless, he was still approached.

"Y-Yes, I would like to sell some things." He said hesitantly. He wasn’t well versed in being a high-tier guest, besides in his dreams. The beautiful woman simply smiled at his nervousness but continued with the utmost professionalism.

"Then please, come this way." She walked towards the stairs. This had shocked everyone yet again, and many couldn’t help but feel like their hearts couldn’t handle the many surprises coming from all directions. Still, with some initial hesitation, they followed. They immediately bypassed the first level and second level, reaching the third level.

It was oddly minimalistic. In comparison to the glamorous first level or even grander second level, the third level had very few notable areas of brilliance. There were only nine doors, a few chairs and tables for waiting, and some artistic paintings on the wall. It was almost too simplistic. The other rooms had people walking around, a multitude of diverse shops set up by different people, and some even used aggressive tactics to lure their customers in. Such as beautiful women or giving out exceptional deals.

This place had none of that.

It wasn’t long before they were brought before a door. "Please, only one person." Her voice was melodious and gentle with a slight tinge of pleading for forgiveness.

Yan Zaizen nodded, giving the others a glance, and accompanying her through the door. When he entered the room, it felt like he entered an entirely different world. The essence of the air was incredibly thick, giving all cultivators of Qi a sensation of comfort, and filled with a soothing scent of incense. There was a chair, but it was composed of crystallized essence. A chair made up of crystal essence!!! A single low-grade crystal essence was worth ten drops of high-grade liquid essence. If one converted that into low-grade liquid essence, that would be equivalent to one million drops!!!

Looking at this chair closely, he realized that the chair was made up of unrefined crystallized essence. If the entire chair was refined to purity, it would probably be equivalent to one low-grade crystal essence. Despite that, it was nevertheless an astronomical display of wealth. He obtained one drop of low-grade essence a month, yet one million essence drops were being used as a chair. Only high-level Qi Unification cultivators or higher could afford such a raw display of wealth.

"Please, sit." The employee gestured, and then left. Leaving no other instructions.

Feeling a little lost, he decided to sit down. The moment he did, he felt a wave of essence surge into his body, causing all of his meridians to feel stimulated and energized. He could feel his Qi flow proceeding faster than normal and siphoning off the essence from the chair into it like a greedy wolf. He was in absolute bliss and released odd moaning sounds from time to time. It took only one hour before his cyclone in his dantian expanded filled with Qi. An explosive sound resounded in his body, and he could feel his cultivation elevate to new heights.

"Mid-Qi Revolving Realm!" He couldn’t help but exclaim. He could even feel his shaky foundation get solidified a little, making his Qi pathways wider, his meridians stronger, and his dantian filled to the brim with energy.

He hadn’t felt a breakthrough like this for years. Which makes sense, because his last Qi breakthrough was nearly eight years ago - when he had broken through the Qi Revolving Realm. So it was a much-welcomed sensation.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" A voice inquired.

What?!

He was startled to the point where he shot out of the chair, his eyes looked around anxiously as if he was caught doing something bad. However, almost instinctively, he sat back down for that sweet sensation once more. An old man appeared in front of him with an amiable smile on his face. His attire informed one that he was an upper-echelon member of the emporium.

Shocked, he couldn’t help but say, "Wait...you?!"