Volume One, Chapter 20: Sudden Uprising, Su Yun'er on the Run!
As soon as Su Yun’er approached Feng Niang’s room, the door creaked open.
A thick mist of steam surged out, carrying a strong scent of roses.
Startled, Su Yun’er instinctively shrank back.
Could it be that she had been discovered?
She curled up and carefully examined the cracks on her jade pendant.
Only after confirming that her invisibility spell was still effective did she relax.
But what exactly was going on?
Just as she was pondering, two maids emerged from the room, chatting and laughing.
Inside, a sultry, languid voice sounded.
“Anything worth paying attention to lately?”
The woman known as Feng Niang reached out to gently stroke the petals floating on the surface of the bathwater.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
She leaned gracefully against the edge of the tub, exuding an air of indulgence.
One of the maids reported to her, “Miss, there’s nothing particularly noteworthy otherwise.”
“Lately, the Immortal Gathering Market has been as calm as a still lake.”
“This remote, desolate place rarely sees any major events.”
“If you want to hear something interesting, there are only two things that might amuse you for now!”
Seeing Feng Niang lean in attentively, the maid continued, “The first is from a few days ago. That sycophantic tavern owner, Ye Feng, spent three mid-grade spirit stones to buy an unnoticed mid-grade spirit artifact called ‘Peerless Elegance’ on the second floor.”
Feng Niang immediately sat up, turning with interest.
“Peerless Elegance?”
“The mid-grade spirit artifact that looks more like plain fabric without any patterns?”
The maid blushed and nodded, covering her mouth.
“Miss Feng, that artifact had been shelved for quite a while here at our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, but it finally sold!”
“Unexpectedly, it ended up in Ye Feng’s hands!”
Feng Niang nodded faintly, a strange emotion flickering in her eyes.
The Peerless Elegance was indeed stunning, yet difficult to show off.
She had tried more than once to claim it for herself but abandoned the idea after much hesitation.
In fact, she had secretly tried it on before.
The maid went on, “I heard that Ye Feng is the ultimate sycophant. Apparently, the female cultivator he’s chasing, Liu Ruyan, still keeps him hanging.”
“I wonder what expression she had when he gave her such a frivolous and loose gift.”
“Hmph, Miss, you’re right!”
“Men are all scoundrels.”
“I thought Ye Feng was sincere and pure-hearted.”
“But turns out he’s just as filthy inside.”
“To have the nerve to acquire such a mid-grade spirit artifact… Feng Niang, if anyone wore that, even I, Little Peach Red, would despise her!”
Splash!
Water scattered everywhere.
Feng Niang in the bath coughed sharply, attempting to interrupt Little Peach Red.
But Little Peach Red seemed unable to stop.
“Just looking at that artifact makes me blush.”
“I don’t even know who could possibly wear it.”
Feng Niang’s expression grew awkward as she frowned and waved her hand.
“Our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion is open for business. As long as someone is willing to spend spirit stones, we’ll sell whatever they want.”
“Though Ye Feng is a sycophant, it has nothing to do with us.”
“Next time he comes, be sure to notify me. I want to see just how wealthy he really is.”
“And you’re talking too much today!”
The maid pouted but nodded in agreement.
Feng Niang then asked, “What about the other matter?”
The maid hesitated before speaking with a hint of uncertainty after Feng Niang urged her on.
“Well, a couple of days ago, a black-robed cultivator came to the shop to buy healing pills but was two low-grade spirit stones short.”
“Miss, you know our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion’s policy: you get what you pay for.”
“Discounts are only given for valuable treasures or to our esteemed guests. Small transactions like healing pills are not usually entertained.”
“But this customer grew desperate and pulled out a map of a cave dwelling relic, claiming it was the cave dwelling of Hong Chen, an Inner Sect disciple of the Mountain Reliance Sect from over a century ago.”
“He said the cave contained countless treasures, enough to exchange for many valuables.”
Little Peach Red noticed Feng Niang didn’t reprimand her and continued, “Although it’s verified that Hong Chen was indeed a female cultivator, no one can confirm the map’s authenticity. In the end, the customer left the map in exchange for the healing pills.”
“Miss Feng, if you’re interested, I can bring the map over now.”
By this time, Feng Niang had opened her eyes.
The dense mist concealed her ample form, yet one could sense her growing seriousness.
She murmured to herself.
Hong Chen was quite famous, reputed to be a prominent figure in the Mountain Reliance Sect over a century ago.
If the cave truly existed, it must contain many treasures.
As for the authenticity—
An item exchanged for two low-grade spirit stones, there was no need to obsess over it.
But even a one in ten thousand chance of truth would mean a fortune.
A gleam of cunning lit Feng Niang’s eyes.
Although she was the manager of this Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion and her word was law, she was already tired of this tiny Immortal Gathering Market.
The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion spanned many regions of the cultivation world.
But the disparity among them was like night and day.
The highest tiers were nearly at the top of the cultivation world, while managers like her were the lowest of the low.
The small scale of the Immortal Gathering Market meant Feng Niang had no chance to rise through talent alone.
After all, selling mid-grade artifacts depended on luck and coincidence.
If she didn’t find a way, she would remain stuck at this level for life.
No chance for promotion meant foundational stage cultivation was a distant dream.
Eventually, she would grow old and die, and she refused that fate.
But if she could get her hands on the treasures from Hong Chen’s cave dwelling relics, she would have a great chance to leave this market and enter a higher-level Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.
No matter the cost, she was willing to pay it to escape here.
Therefore, when the maid mentioned Hong Chen’s cave relics, Feng Niang’s interest was instantly piqued.
All of this was overheard clearly by Su Yun’er standing silently by the door.
After searching around for some time, she found no trace of storage artifacts or high-grade cultivation techniques.
Yet Little Peach Red had the audacity to mock her Peerless Elegance.
How could she judge such a beautiful mid-grade artifact?
Su Yun’er glanced at the pristine fabric beneath the Peerless Elegance and thought to herself, this was pure envy.
She could hardly believe someone knew about Hong Chen’s cave dwelling relics.
That was the deepest secret of her heart.
Who exactly was that black-robed person?
Where did they get that treasure map?
Was it real or not?
Regardless, it was better to err on the side of believing it true than to let it go unchecked.
Otherwise, her ancestor Hong Chen’s cave dwelling might be lost forever.
Those treasures were hers and must never fall into others' hands.
Determination flashed in Su Yun’er’s eyes.
Disregarding all thoughts of high-grade artifacts, she seized the opportunity.
Just as the maid was about to hand the map to Feng Niang, Su Yun’er suddenly sprang into action.
Spiritual power surged, and she struck the bathing tub with a palm.
Splash!
Water sprayed everywhere.
The tub shattered instantly.
Before anyone could react, Su Yun’er snatched the map and fled wildly.
Feng Niang gasped in shock and hastily grabbed the nearby sheer curtains to cover herself.
She shouted angrily at the maid, “What are you waiting for?”
“Chase after her!”
“No matter who it is, kill on sight!”
Anyone sneaking into the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion was making a grave mistake in her eyes.
This matter must not be leaked.
Her bathing state should also have been fully witnessed by the intruder.
She could hardly believe some brazen, lecherous fool dared to snatch from her at such a time.
Feng Niang was nearly faint from fury.
Heavy breaths engulfed her, and the sheer curtains could not hide the rage in her chest.
The maid scrambled to raise the alarm.
Guards both in the open and in the shadows immediately stood at attention.
One after another, shining spiritual weapons and talismans appeared.
Meanwhile, Su Yun’er stumbled out of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.
At the last moment—
Crack—
The cracks on her jade pendant spread wildly.
Her faint, blurry figure appeared before everyone’s eyes.
Sharp-eyed guards shouted loudly, “There she is! After her!”