The blood-colored bead felt cold to the touch and emitted a nauseating stench of blood.
With just one glance, Li Xun could tell that it was no good—it seemed to be a Treasure crafted using human lives, though its level was not high and still belonged to the mortal weapon level.
"Another piece of trash. This Liu Sandao, as a disciple of the Blood Demon Sect, didn’t even carry anything valuable," Li Xun muttered disdainfully as he glanced at Liu Sandao's corpse.
He tightened his grip, initially intending to crush the blood-colored bead.
But after some thought, he decided against it.
It was still a Treasure, albeit of the demonic path.
Perhaps he could hand it over to his sect later and get some spirit stones in return?
Following the mindset that even a small gain is still a gain, Li Xun stored the blood-colored bead and Liu Sandao’s corpse in the latter’s storage ring.
Liu Sandao’s body served as proof of completing his mission. Without it, he would have no evidence to claim his reward upon returning.
After ensuring nothing was left behind, Li Xun turned and exited the cave.
Instead of heading directly back to Profound Sun Sect, he made his way to a nearby city near Canglang Mountain.
A quarter of an hour later, he arrived in Panshi City, a small city with a population of just over 100,000.
Located near Canglang Mountain, the city had grown as many cultivators ventured into the mountain to hunt beasts.
Li Xun, dressed in his white robe, walked down the street, observing the people passing by.
Soon, he looked away in disappointment.
Panshi City, with a population of over 100,000, didn’t have a single person suitable for his investments.
“Maybe there are some limitations to the system’s so-called investment opportunities that I haven’t figured out yet,” Li Xun pondered.
After confirming there were no potential targets, he decided not to waste more time and proceeded towards the end of the street.
In no time, he arrived at a tall, opulent pavilion adorned with a signboard reading "Myriad Treasures Pavilion".
Myriad Treasures Pavilion was a powerful organization, though how powerful, Li Xun couldn’t say for sure.
He only knew that neither his family, the Li Clan, nor Profound Sun Sect could afford to provoke it.
Even in a small place like Panshi City, the gatekeepers of Myriad Treasures Pavilion were at the tenth level of the Body Refinement Realm, one step away from becoming inner disciples of Profound Sun Sect.
“Myriad Treasures Pavilion should be the only place in Panshi City capable of gathering everything I need,” Li Xun thought, glancing at the signboard before stepping inside.
As soon as he entered, a servant quickly approached.
Upon noticing Li Xun’s attire, the servant's face immediately lit up with a warm smile.
An inner disciple of Profound Sun Sect!
In a small place like Panshi City, this identity alone was enough to be considered a valued customer.
“What would you like to purchase, sir?” the servant asked courteously.
“Can you gather the items listed on this paper?” Li Xun casually tossed over a piece of paper filled with densely written items.
The servant glanced over the list and was momentarily stunned.
He had indeed recognized correctly; this disciple of Profound Sun Sect was truly a big spender!
The list included elixirs, spiritual herbs, Treasures, techniques, weapons—virtually everything one could think of.
Buying all these items could practically establish a small sect.
“Please, sir, have a seat for a moment. I will retrieve your items immediately,” the servant said quickly.
“Mm.” Li Xun nodded and found a seat in a secluded corner of Myriad Treasures Pavilion.
While he waited idly, a commotion broke out near the entrance of Myriad Treasures Pavilion.
“Leave at once. Myriad Treasures Pavilion is not a charity house. If you want Ganoderma Grass, you must pay with spirit stones!” one of the guards at the entrance shouted sternly, pushing a young girl away.
It was clear that the guards of Myriad Treasures Pavilion had decent character.
Although their tone was cold, they didn’t resort to violence or insults, only keeping the girl outside.
“I have spirit stones, really! Please, I beg you, sell me one Ganoderma Grass!” The girl appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen years old, dressed in patched clothes.
Ignoring the strange looks of passersby, she stood at the entrance, pleading desperately.
She opened a similarly patched bag and held it out to the guards with hope in her eyes. “I really have spirit stones.”
“Five low-grade spirit stones are far from enough,” the guard said, shaking his head. “And if I were you, I wouldn’t reveal I had spirit stones.”
The world of cultivation was full of deceit, and someone like the girl, who had no strength and still revealed her possession of spirit stones, was courting disaster.
After all, Panshi City was not a sect.
Robbery and murder were common occurrences.
Even though she looked pitiful, no one would care—there were countless such pitiable people.
“No matter how many times you plead, Myriad Treasures Pavilion has its rules, and we cannot help with your mother’s illness,” the guard said impassively.
The girl tried to beg again, but the guards, like immovable door gods, remained unfazed by her pleas.
At that moment, the servant who had served Li Xun returned from the back hall with a storage ring in hand.
“Sir, your items are ready. That will be eighty-nine high-grade spirit stones.”
“Mm.” Li Xun took the storage ring, scanned its contents with his spiritual sense, and nodded in satisfaction.
He glanced once more toward the entrance before saying, “Bring me one Ganoderma Grass.”
“Huh?” The servant looked at Li Xun, then at the girl by the entrance, and curiously asked, “Sir, are you planning to give it to that girl?”
“No, I’m just conducting an experiment,” Li Xun said nonchalantly.
“I understand,” the servant nodded without asking further, then quickly turned to fetch the item.