101: Lei Hao

After settling down, Chen Linsheng did not rush to Cultivate or go to the martial arts hall to take on missions.

He deeply understood the principle that sharpening the axe does not delay the chopping of wood. As a newcomer, the first priority was to ascertain the specifics of Jiuqu Prefecture City, especially the prices and channels for Cultivation resources.

Qinghe County and the Prefecture City differed vastly, regardless of scale or level. If he measured the consumption and resources here using the perspective of Qinghe County, he would likely struggle to move forward.

He discussed his thoughts with Su Wan, and Su Wan agreed.

After tidying up slightly, the two left Yuqian Lane and headed toward the most bustling commercial district in the city.

Asking for directions along the way, they passed through several crowded streets lined with shops, until a magnificent seven-story pavilion with flying eaves and elaborate brackets appeared before them.

The pavilion was primarily constructed of precious Golden Silk Nan Wood, and the glazed tiles shone brightly under the sun. On the plaque above the entrance were three large, gilded characters written in a vigorous, sweeping style—

Wanbao Tower.

The area in front of the pavilion was bustling with traffic. Those entering and exiting were either rich or noble, profound Martial Artists, or gorgeously dressed merchants. Ordinary commoners rarely stepped inside.

Just standing outside the entrance, one could feel an invisible Aura of luxury and power washing over them.

"So this is the Prefecture City's largest chamber of commerce, the Wanbao Tower..." Chen Linsheng's gaze narrowed slightly. Just the grandeur alone far surpassed any shop in Qinghe County.

He composed himself and entered the building with Su Wan.

In an instant, it felt like entering another world. The interior space was extremely vast, paved with unknown Warm Jade. The ceiling was inlaid with Luminous Pearls that emitted a soft glow, and the air was filled with a faint, strange scent, a mixture of countless Spirit Materials and medicinal fragrance, which invigorated the spirit upon smelling it.

The building was divided into multiple sections: Spirit Medicine area, Medicinal Pill area, Weapon area, Cultivation Technique Jade Slip area, Exotic Item area, and so on, dazzling the eyes with their variety.

Chen Linsheng first headed toward the Spirit Medicine area.

He saw Medicinal Ingredients of various shapes, brimming with Spiritual Qi, properly displayed in crystal cabinets, with exquisite labels beside them indicating the name and price.

"Three-hundred-year-old Blood Ginseng, priced at eight hundred taels..."

"Five-Colored Spirit Ganoderma, one thousand two hundred taels..."

"earth core fire lotus... five thousand taels!"

Seeing the price of the earth core fire lotus, Chen Linsheng's eye twitched slightly.

He had risked life and limb to obtain one stalk in the Black Water Ravine, yet here it was clearly priced at five thousand taels of silver! And this was just the listed price; if there was a bidding war, it would likely be even higher.

The Medicinal Pill area further broadened his horizons. Besides the familiar blood qi pill and Pulse Opening Powder, there were many other Medicinal Pills he had never heard of.

"Bone Tempering Pill, accelerates bone tempering, suitable for the Flesh Refining Realm Peak attempting to break through to the Jiaojin Realm. One bottle (three pills) is priced at three hundred taels, or fifty Contribution Points."

"Concentration Incense, aids meditation, enhances Comprehension Ability. One stick is one hundred taels."

"Hundred Herb Fasting Pill, one pill can stave off hunger and thirst for three days, fifty taels."

Without exception, the prices were staggeringly high.

Chen Linsheng touched the stack of Banknotes from Wei Jingtong in his pocket. He had originally thought it was a huge sum, but now he deeply felt that Cultivating in the Prefecture City would be unsustainable without a stable and substantial income.

He only glanced at the Cultivation Technique Jade Slip area from a distance; the prices, often several thousand or even tens of thousands of taels, made him temporarily abandon the idea.

The Contribution Point system of the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall was clearly the main avenue for ordinary Disciples to obtain high-level Cultivation Techniques.

Finally, he arrived at the Weapon area. The place was filled with chilling light and dense Killing Intent.

Sabers, spears, swords, halberds, axes, battle-axes, hooks, and forks—all types of Weapons were available, ranging from Ordinary Iron to Refined Steel, and occasionally even a few Treasure Artifacts faintly emitting spiritual light and inscribed with Runes, whose prices were astronomical.

His gaze was drawn to a standalone display cabinet in the corner. Inside, ten uniquely shaped Arrowheads were laid flat. They were dark cyan all over, not the usual triangular or conical shape, but featured spiral patterns. The tips gleamed with a cold, eerie light, and intricate, profound Runes were engraved on the base of the Arrowheads.

The label read: "Armor-Breaking Arrowheads (Pack of Ten). Mixed with Mysterious Iron and Wind Copper, inscribed with Elementary Armor-Breaking Runes. Extremely strong penetrating power, also has a significant destructive effect on the protective Qi and Blood of Jiaojin Realm Martial Artists. Price: one thousand five hundred taels."

Chen Linsheng's heart stirred. His Overlapping Waves Archery was formidable, but his Arrows were just standard issue equipment from the Water Patrol Division. If paired with such specialized Arrowheads, their power would certainly reach a higher level, making them a Trump Card against stronger opponents.

Just as he was about to beckon and ask the Shopkeeper for details, a slightly arrogant voice sounded from his side: "Esteemed customer, are you interested in this set of 'Armor-Breaking Arrows'?"

Turning his head, he saw a middle-aged Shopkeeper with a capable face, wearing the uniform of a Wanbao Tower Deacon.

He glanced at Chen Linsheng's ordinary old Water Patrol Division uniform and Su Wan's plainly dressed figure beside him. A trace of subtle disdain flashed in his eyes. Although his tone was polite, it carried a hint of distance: "This item originated from the Military Armaments Bureau and is difficult to manufacture. As for the price... heh heh, I presume the customer has seen it. If you do not intend to purchase it, please refrain from touching it, lest it be damaged."

How could Chen Linsheng fail to understand the implication in those words?

He thought Chen Linsheng couldn't afford it.

He frowned slightly, just about to speak, when a hearty and loud voice exploded beside him like muffled thunder:

"Hey! Shopkeeper, what you just said is a bit like judging people by their appearance!"

Everyone looked over toward the sound, and saw an extremely tall young man striding toward them.

He was about twenty years old, dressed in a dark red Tight-Fitting Suit, with lightning patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs. His face was heroic, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, and his short hair stood straight up, making him look energetic. His entire body was filled with surging Qi and Blood. As he walked with the powerful stride of a Dragon and a Tiger, he naturally exuded a compelling Aura. He was clearly a Martial Artist in the Flood Dragon Tendon Realm, Initial Stage!

He walked straight to the counter and first grinned at Chen Linsheng, showing two rows of white teeth: "Brother, you have good taste! These 'Armor-Breaking Arrows' are indeed excellent items, fine goods released from the military. Their armor-breaking effect is top-notch. Even the Divine Archers under my father's command can't be equipped with many of them. It's just that the price at this Wanbao Tower is too ugly!"

When the Shopkeeper saw this person, his expression immediately changed. His previous arrogance instantly turned into flattery, and he quickly bowed and saluted:

"Oh dear! It turns out Young Lord Lei has arrived! This humble one was blind and did not realize this was a friend of Young Lord Lei..."

The young man, referred to as "Young Lord Lei," impatiently waved his hand, interrupting the Shopkeeper, and pointed at the set of Armor-Breaking Arrows, telling the Shopkeeper:

"Enough nonsense! Put this set of Arrowheads on my Lei Hao's tab! Consider it a gift from me to this brother."

As soon as these words were spoken, several customers who had noticed the commotion showed surprise.

Lei Hao, the Young Lord of the Lei Family, was famous among the younger generation in the Prefecture City for his heartiness and righteousness. But for him to proactively give a gift—and Armor-Breaking Arrows worth one thousand five hundred taels—what was the background of this unfamiliar young man?

Chen Linsheng was also slightly stunned, not expecting to encounter such a chivalrous Noble Young Master.

He looked at Lei Hao and saw that the other party's eyes were clear and his smile was sincere, showing no intention of charity, but rather genuine admiration for his "good taste."

However, Chen Linsheng had his own pride and principles. He smiled slightly, cupped his hands toward Brother Lei, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Brother Lei, I appreciate your kind intentions. We are merely passing acquaintances; how can I accept such a heavy gift?"

After speaking, he ignored the stunned Shopkeeper, took out the stack of Banknotes from his pocket, counted out fifteen notes of one hundred taels denomination, and gently placed them on the counter, his voice calm and steady:

"Shopkeeper, I'll take this set of Armor-Breaking Arrows. Please wrap them up."

His movements were smooth, and his demeanor was composed, as if he were paying not a huge sum of one thousand five hundred taels, but just a few taels of Loose Silver.

This scene caused the surroundings to quiet down slightly.

The Shopkeeper held the Banknotes, his hands trembling slightly, his face turning pale and then red, unable to speak awkwardly.

Lei Hao was first astonished. He had thought Chen Linsheng's ordinary attire meant he might be financially strapped, and he had stepped forward to help and give a gift, hoping to make an acquaintance. He hadn't expected the other party to pay the full amount so straightforwardly. This composure and integrity far exceeded his expectations.

Immediately, he burst into loud laughter and vigorously patted Chen Linsheng's shoulder, the appreciation in his eyes growing stronger:

"Good! Good! Brother is indeed a straightforward person! You have both strength and integrity! I, Lei Hao, admire people like you!"

His personality was forthright, and he hated affected behavior and sycophancy the most. Chen Linsheng's action undoubtedly earned him great favor.

"I am Chen Linsheng, a newcomer to the Prefecture City. Brother Lei, I am already grateful for your chivalrous words."

Chen Linsheng cupped his hands again, developing a favorable impression of this hearty Young Lord of the Lei Family.

"Chen Linsheng? A good name!" Lei Hao waved his large hand, appearing very enthusiastic. "I see Brother is quite skilled with Bows and Arrows, presumably a master of this Dao. The Lei Family Training Grounds, among other things, have plenty of excellent Bows and Targets! When you have time, you must come visit my Lei Family, and we can properly spar in archery!"

This was a sincere invitation.

In the Prefecture City, there weren't many people Lei Hao would deem worthy and proactively invite to his family's Training Grounds.

Chen Linsheng felt the other party's sincerity and knew this was a good opportunity to understand the strength of the Prefecture City's top young generation and expand his network. He accepted with a smile: "Brother Lei, I would be impolite to refuse your generosity. Once Linsheng is properly settled, I will certainly come and trouble you."

"Haha! Then it's settled!" Lei Hao was even happier. After exchanging a few more cordial words with Chen Linsheng and exchanging general addresses, he finally departed contentedly with his Entourage.