The Clear Sky Cauldron Pavilion was an impressive building, standing seven stories tall and painted externally to reflect a cloudless blue sky. Its sloped roof had been designed in such a manner that it blended seamlessly with the azure dome above, while the foundation was built of earthen stonework to represent the ground below.

  What caught Ishin’s attention the most, however, was the floating sphere of light that hovered above the pavilion like a second sun. It pulsed gently with radiant warmth, clearly intended to evoke the image of a clear day’s sky. That luminous feature had drawn Ishin’s eyes the moment he’d returned to Central Square.

  Fortunately, the store had turned out to be an alchemist shop—and one far more impressive than any he had seen back in the Daihu Tribe.

  Ishin stepped through the pavilion’s front entrance and was immediately taken aback by what he saw. Rows of glass shelves extended from either side of the massive hall, stretching down two wings that vanished deeper into the first floor than he could see. Between them, a broad staircase of polished stone spiraled upward toward the higher levels.

  A middle-aged man dressed in azure robes, who had been reviewing the contents of a shelf against a scroll, noticed Ishin’s arrival and moved to greet him.

  “Welcome, young man. My name is Attendant He Chao.”

  Ishin noted the man’s gaze linger briefly on his scarred face, then shift toward the dirt-covered pack slung over his shoulder.

  “Did you come from the Dueling Pit?”

  “No,” Ishin replied, unsure of what that even was. “I’ve just come to purchase some alchemic resources for my cultivation.”

  “Yes, of course. Our esteemed pavilion should be able to assist you with any of your needs.” He Chao’s eyes shimmered faintly, and he nodded with casual confidence. “I see that you are a lightning cultivator. Very rare for someone so young. Do you need a resource to help you reach the second layer?”

  Ishin was impressed by He Chao’s quick analysis. He must’ve examined my chakra with his third eye.

  “Yes, exactly. Do you have anything like a pill or elixir I could buy?” He gestured to the rows of shelves on the right. “I can look around too, if there are some options.”

  He Chao shook his head. “No need to bother with that. Most of the items on this floor are raw ingredients used to create alchemic products. You’ll want something from the third floor. That’s where we keep our low-grade alchemic pills—they’ll be more beneficial for your needs. Please, come with me.”

  As they ascended, Ishin glanced around at the abundance of ingredients. He’d known alchemists used rare materials, but he hadn’t realized just how vast their requirements could be. Still, one part of He Chao’s comment stayed with him.

  Low-grade pills, huh…? Does he think I’m not worthy to see anything beyond those?

  Five minutes later, as he stood surrounded by elegant glass cases on the third floor, Ishin realized that yes, he wasn’t worthy to see more than low-grade pills—and rightfully so.

  “This is a Rolling Cobalt Tempest Pill,” He Chao explained, holding a cylindrical frosted glass vial. Inside sat a single blue pill with sparkling silver specks dancing across its surface. It was the sixth one he’d shown to Ishin so far. “Based on my appraisal of your cultivation, the distilled lightning qi should be more than sufficient to form a second layer around your chakra—and still have plenty left over. Best of all, it’ll only take you four days to process.”

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  Ishin cut to the point. “How much does this one cost?”

  “Only twelve gold taels.”

  Ishin’s heart sank. Still cheaper than the last one.

  He Chao had been very patient, spending nearly half an hour showing Ishin various lightning-aspected pills. The first had cost a staggering thirty gold taels, with He Chao assuring him it would help him reach not only the second layer but the third as well.

  I’d give my right arm to catch up to Gou Bin and Jun Wu that quickly…

  Unfortunately, the pavilion didn’t want his arm—it wanted money. And he didn’t have the taels to spend.

  The subsequent pills had been more affordable but still beyond Ishin’s reach. He got the sense that He Chao was genuinely trying to help him—while also trying to sell the most expensive product possible.

  Ishin decided it was time to be direct.

  “Unfortunately, I don’t think this one will work for me either. I appreciate your help, sir, but let me be more clear. Do you have anything for seven gold taels or less that can get me to the second layer?”

  Perhaps it was a risk being so transparent with a salesman, but Ishin figured honesty would save time.

  He Chao set the vial back into its display case, then turned toward a lower shelf within the same cabinet. After a brief search, he withdrew a larger clear glass vial containing three marble-sized pills, colored in swirls of turquoise and citrine.

  “These are called Rupture Wailing Storm Pills,” He Chao said, presenting the vial. “You can buy all three for seven taels. Based on your current chakra state, they should be enough to form your second layer.”

  Ishin studied the pills carefully. “I notice that there are three of them,” he said. “The others you showed me were all single pills.”

  He Chao’s expression didn’t change. He remained the image of professionalism.

  “Individually, these pills wouldn’t even be rated as low-grade. They were created using leftover materials from refining a mid-grade pill, to avoid waste. However, they still meet the Alchemist Guild’s required quality guidelines. The Clear Sky Cauldron Pavilion does not sell lesser-grade pills, so we package them into a set, raising their classification to match low-grade standards. I hope that sets your mind at ease.”

  Most of the explanation went over Ishin’s head. All I need to know is they’ll get me to the second layer. And they’re within my budget.

  “So I can buy these for seven gold taels, and they’ll work?”

  “That is correct.”

  That was enough. “I’ll take them. Thank you.”

  He Chao smiled. “Always happy to help a customer of the pavilion.”

  He led Ishin to a counter at the far end of the floor. There, he handed over the vial of Rupture Wailing Storm Pills, along with a slip of paper containing cultivation instructions. Ishin, in turn, gave over the last of his gold—seven taels, leaving him with only one gold and seven silver.

  Still, he felt confident in his decision.

  “It says this on the instructions,” He Chao added, “but be sure to take those pills one at a time. And only in a secure, private location.”

  That brought up a concern Ishin had been putting off.

  “I appreciate the advice, thank you. Could you help me with one other matter?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “I’m new to the city and need a place to stay. Could you recommend anywhere—preferably somewhere not too expensive?”

  He Chao showed no surprise at Ishin’s admission.

  “There are several establishments in the Western Quarter where you could find lodging. The Eastern Quarter has more extravagant inns, but if you want to save money, stay in the Western Quarter. Follow Palatine Road—it’s the main one that runs west to east through the square outside. Head west far enough and you’ll come across some inns.”

  He paused before adding, “If you see anyone wearing gray armbands, avoid them. Those are members of the Iron Mantis. You’ll want nothing to do with them.”

  Ishin blinked. “Iron Mantis?”

  “A group of thugs and criminals within the Western Quarter. The City Guard has been trying to eliminate them for years, with limited success. But don’t worry. As long as you stay in the eastern half of the Western Quarter, you should be just fine.”

  That was good to know. “Thank you, senior, for your guidance.”

  Just as he was about to leave, Ishin hesitated. One more question lingered.

  “Senior, before I go… can you tell me about the Dueling Pit?”