Chen Zheng hung up the phone and quickly finished his breakfast. He swiftly got ready and stepped out the door.

Guo Fu was already waiting in her car. Chen Zheng gently opened the door and got in.

The car shot off like an arrow leaving the bow. Soon after, they were on the highway, speeding toward the suburbs.

As Guo Fu drove, she explained, "The Dragon's Dive Pavilion is located in Dragon's Hide Village, just outside the Imperial Capital. After the highway, we'll need to cross a mountain range, which will take about another hour."

Chen Zheng had already gained a preliminary understanding of the ancient martial world. Dragon's Dive Pavilion was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to the ancient martial world's trading hubs. It was a joint venture established by the major powers, with various branches throughout the land. However, Guo Fu had only ever been to the one in the Imperial Capital.

Private duels were forbidden within the Dragon's Dive Pavilion; violators would face sanctions from the ancient martial world.

Besides the Dragon's Dive Pavilion, there were also countless other stalls and shops. These places were always open for business.

"This is quite modern," Chen Zheng muttered.

Like a graceful butterfly, the car peeled off the highway and onto a winding mountain road. Guo Fu skillfully steered the vehicle, leading Chen Zheng deep into the mountains.

About an hour later, a mysterious cluster of houses suddenly appeared in the distance. Chen Zheng gazed through the car window at the village. It wasn't a bustling place, but it radiated a tranquil atmosphere.

"Master, this is Dragon's Hide Village," Guo Fu said softly. "It's looked this way for a hundred years, as if time has stood still. All the villagers here have ancient martial heritages."

Soon, they arrived at the village entrance. A lineup of luxury SUVs parked nearby created quite a magnificent scene.

Chen Zheng couldn't help but exclaim, "Martial Artists certainly aren't short on cash!"

Then, under Guo Fu's guidance, Chen Zheng stepped into the village. The passersby took no special notice of them.

Chen Zheng quietly sensed the surrounding atmosphere. He could feel the mysterious True Qi hidden within everyone's bodies, their cultivation realms varying in strength.

He and Guo Fu went deeper into the village, stepping into a simple bungalow. Two elders were inside. They stood up respectfully when Chen Zheng and Guo Fu entered. Guo Fu took out a special token, and upon seeing it, the two elders moved to the side.

Then, they opened a door that led to an underground world.

A hint of surprise flashed in Chen Zheng's eyes as he followed Guo Fu inside.

They walked down a deep corridor for about fifteen minutes before a vast underground hall came into view. He casually surveyed the place. The hall spanned nearly ten acres and was filled with neatly arranged wooden buildings, as well as some eye-catching market stalls.

The hall buzzed with people, each emitting strands of True Qi.

"Master, would you like to look around first or head to the Dragon's Dive Pavilion?" Guo Fu's clear voice asked.

"There's no rush. This is my first time in a place like this," Chen Zheng said softly, his steps already leading him toward a nearby stall.

"Esteemed guest! Feel free to browse! We have rare medicinal herbs, fragments of ancient martial arts techniques, everything you could want!" an enthusiastic vendor called out.

Chen Zheng approached the stall, his gaze lingering on the items. There was a wide array of medicinal herbs and old books. However, none of them caught his interest, so he moved on. They were all mundane items, so he quickly lost interest.

"Let's go to the Dragon's Dive Pavilion."

"Yes, Master," said Guo Fu. "Follow me." She led Chen Zheng toward one of the wooden buildings.

Soon, they stood before a large building. Looking up, he saw a wooden plaque hanging above the entrance. On it were three large characters: Dragon's Dive Pavilion. The calligraphy was powerful and flamboyant, each stroke full of energy.

Inside the Dragon's Dive Pavilion, the crowd was dense and the atmosphere was lively. Guo Fu and Chen Zheng made their way through the bustling sea of people, entering the mysterious establishment.

Backed by the nation, the quality of merchandise inside the Dragon's Dive Pavilion was stellar, far surpassing that of the small vendors outside. There were several hundred-year-old ginsengs, each one like an ancient spirit silently waiting for its destined owner.

Chen Zheng even spotted a three-hundred-year-old ginseng. Although it was expensive, he had no urgent need for it, so he didn't pay it much mind.

However, just then, a torn page caught his eye like a flash of lightning. Inside a transparent glass case, a yellowed, torn page was gently held in place by a thin, soft thread. Though weathered by time, its value was still astonishing.

Chen Zheng's eyes widened in disbelief when he saw the price tag. "Five hundred million! Is this tattered piece of paper really so precious?"

Just then, a Martial Artist approached them. He was a salesperson for the Dragon's Dive Pavilion.

"Esteemed guest, are you interested in this treasure?" the salesperson asked with a smile.

Chen Zheng nodded, his curiosity driving him to find out more.

The salesperson explained elegantly, "This is a fragment of the long-lost recipe for the Spirit Jade Elixir. Although incomplete, it's still immensely valuable.

"According to stringent state-sponsored tests, this fragment—though only containing about thirty percent of the full recipe—can be used to concoct a version of the Spirit Jade Elixir. This elixir can double the cultivation speed of a Martial Artist at the Qi Condensation Realm!

"For the great and powerful clans, this is undoubtedly a priceless treasure."

"Oh? How wondrous!" Chen Zheng's eyes gleamed with astonishment. So this was a miraculous elixir that could boost cultivation speed.

Although I'm not sure if it will work on me, it would be a huge benefit to my friends and family.

Without hesitation, Chen Zheng said, "I'll take it!"

The salesperson was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered, smiling. "Of course. I'll package it for you right away."

As he spoke, the salesperson slowly opened the glass case to retrieve the recipe fragment.

"Hold on," a calm voice interjected.

Chen Zheng and Guo Fu turned toward the voice. They saw a handsome young man approaching, accompanied by a powerful and imposing middle-aged man.

"How may I help you?" the salesperson asked gracefully.

"I'm quite interested in this recipe. Ring it up," the young man said confidently, pulling a black card from his pocket.

However, the salesperson didn't take the card. He simply said, "My apologies, but this recipe has already been purchased by this gentleman," gesturing toward Chen Zheng.

"So what? If I want it, I get it. Stop wasting my time and swipe the card," the young man said dismissively.

The salesperson's expression turned serious. "Do you not know where you are?"

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