And so, the matter came to a close. Lu Ren and his group’s clever scheme had backfired completely. Not only were they fined contribution points, but Xu Yang later heard from Lu Ren that Jin Lei had also slipped Zhao Qing a silver banknote worth two hundred taels.

Afterward, each of them gave another two hundred taels to Zhao Qing to thank him for helping cover it up.

...

"Xu Yang! He ruined my plans! I’m going to kill him."

Somewhere in the mountains, Li Tieying’s face was filled with killing intent. His plan had been flawless. After obtaining the Spirit Medicine, he would have been able to break through from Gang Qi Great Success and step into the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm.

Who would have thought that Xu Yang’s cultivation wasn’t at the Qi Gathering level, but that he had secretly achieved Qi Cultivation Gang? He killed Liu San, exposing their identities and causing the plan to fall short at the last moment. Even if he had successfully snatched the Spirit Medicine, he wouldn’t dare to consume it now.

If he left the item behind and never set foot in Cyan Yang City again, there was still a chance to live. If he dared to consume it, it would be a dead end, even if he broke through to Marrow Cleansing.

The Iron Eagle Gang’s Vice-Gang Leader, Wang Lun, hastily grabbed Gang Leader Li Tieying and said, "Gang Leader, don’t be impulsive. I’m afraid the Purple Sun Sect has already put a bounty on our heads. It will be troublesome if we’re seen."

"Revenge can wait. Let’s wait until the heat dies down."

Li Tieying suppressed the rage in his heart. He knew it was unrealistic to go kill Xu Yang now. He said angrily, "This is all your fault, you useless trash! Your information was wrong. Not only did it get Liu San killed, but now I can’t even use the Spirit Medicine I have in my hands!"

Wang Lun was at a loss for words. After a moment, he said, "It was my failure. But Gang Leader, we must leave quickly. I guarantee that I will one day use Xu Yang’s head to pay tribute to Liu San."

"Gang Leader, if you want to break through to Marrow Cleansing, I might have a way."

Upon hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Li Tieying’s eyes. "You have another way?"

Wang Lun nodded. "Just follow me, Gang Leader."

...

Xu Yang became increasingly cautious.

Although the Spirit Medicine had been recovered, the leaders of the Iron Eagle Gang had escaped. He had killed Liu San, and he might face retaliation.

However, the Purple Sun Sect had already issued a warrant for them. As long as he didn’t leave Cyan Yang City, there probably wouldn’t be a major problem.

Another day of garrison duty ended. After leaving the Hundred Medicine Hall, he went to the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion was a place that specialized in selling resources for Martial Artists. He had heard Liu Qian mention at an assembly that they sold Elixirs for the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm here.

After coming here for the first time, he found out the situation was indeed as Liu Qian had said: after spending a cumulative five thousand taels of silver, one could purchase Elixirs for the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm.

He naturally didn’t have that much money to spend. However, he did learn something else: the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion sold an Elixir called the Eight-Treasure Body-Strengthening Pill. While not a true Elixir for enhancing Gang Qi at the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm, its supportive effects were superior to those of the Qi Replenishing Pill.

After buying an Eight-Treasure Body-Strengthening Pill to try, he discovered that it had a surprisingly remarkable effect on tempering his Physique and could accelerate the progress of his Golden Gang Skill.

The only issue was the price. A Qi Replenishing Pill cost only ten taels of silver, but an Eight-Treasure Body-Strengthening Pill was fifteen taels.

"Master Xu, are you here for the Eight-Treasure Body-Strengthening Pills? How many will you be needing this time?" As soon as he stepped into the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, a familiar attendant came forward to greet him.

Xu Yang nodded. "I’ll take three."

One Eight-Treasure Body-Strengthening Pill’s effects could last for three days, so he usually only bought three at a time.

Fortunately, he had taken over a hundred taels of silver from Liu San that night. Combined with the money he’d previously collected from Han Xing and Ji Jincheng, he wasn’t short on cash. Supporting a few months of cultivation wouldn’t be a problem.

"Please wait a moment, Master Xu."

The attendant spoke and then left, returning a moment later with a porcelain bottle.

Xu Yang opened it and confirmed the quantity and quality of the Elixirs were correct before taking out a silver banknote to pay.

After receiving his change, he was about to leave.

Just then, the attendant leaned in and said, "Master Xu, the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion is holding an auction in seven days. I asked the Shopkeeper to reserve a spot for you. I was wondering if you might be interested in attending."

Xu Yang paused his departure and raised an eyebrow. "What sort of things will be auctioned?"

He had seven or eight hundred taels of silver on him now, which gave him a bit of confidence. He felt a stir of interest in the auction. Even if he didn’t have enough money, it would be a good opportunity to broaden his horizons.

The attendant smiled fawningly. "Elixirs, Spirit Medicines, Weapons, Cultivation Techniques, Exotic Beast cubs—all sorts of things. There’s no entrance fee, but only regular customers of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion are allowed to participate."

"Of course, if you have something you’d like to auction, you can bring it to be included, as long as it meets a certain value."

"If you’re willing to participate, I’ll register you. Just come back here in seven days, at the first quarter of the Dragon Hour."

A thought flashed through Xu Yang’s mind. ’Should I sell the Vajra Skill?’

’The Vajra Skill is arguably the most valuable thing I own. It should fetch a good price.’

But he quickly dismissed the idea. ’The origin of the Vajra Skill isn’t clean. It’s better not to attract trouble.’

"Alright."

After agreeing with the attendant, Xu Yang finally left.