After leaving the Cyan Wood Institute, Chen Qing wasted no time and headed straight for the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion in Yunlin Prefecture City.

The familiar seven-story pavilion stood as grand as ever, with guards standing solemnly at its entrance.

Chen Qing was now a regular at the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, and more importantly, the Chief Disciple of the Wutai Sect’s Cyan Wood Institute. He naturally required no announcement and was quickly led to the private room where Liu Chengzong was.

When Liu Chengzong saw Chen Qing arrive, his face immediately broke into a warm smile. He personally poured tea and said, "Chief Chen, an honor to have you. Have you brought something good to sell? Or perhaps you’re in need of something?"

Chen Qing had no time for pleasantries and got straight to the point. "Steward Liu, I’ve come today to inquire about the Essence Blood of a Red-eyed Poison Python. Does the pavilion have any in stock? Or any news of it recently?"

"The Essence Blood of a Red-eyed Poison Python?"

The smile on Liu Chengzong’s face instantly froze. His brows knitted together, forming deep furrows.

"Chief Chen, you’ve really given me a difficult task!"

Liu Chengzong shook his head with a wry smile. "Exotic Beast Essence Blood is rare and hard to come by to begin with, especially the Essence Blood of such an old and notoriously venomous creature. The Red-eyed Poison Python is incredibly toxic, immensely strong, and its Scale Armor is tough. Furthermore, its Pupil Technique is bizarre and can bewilder one’s Heart and Spirit. Even a Late-stage Embracing Pill Force expert would be reluctant to provoke one."

"They mostly lair in the Poisonous Mires of the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp. The average Assassin avoids them at all costs, so who would actively go looking for trouble with one? Even if a powerful expert were to luckily hunt one down, they would most likely use the Essence Blood for themselves or supply it directly to certain Sects or Noble Families that specialize in Poison Skills or Fire Element Techniques. It very rarely flows into the open market."

The atmosphere in the private room fell silent, with only the wisp of smoke curling up from the incense burner.

Chen Qing’s heart sank slightly. He pressed, "Steward Liu, you are knowledgeable and well-connected. Is there truly no clue at all? Even old news or information from channels in other prefectures would be helpful."

"A clue..."

Liu Chengzong stroked his beard, pondering for a long moment. "Well, I can’t say there’s absolutely nothing. Although the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion primarily does business in Yunlin Prefecture, our sources of information are not limited to it. Every day, Assassins and treasure hunters from several surrounding prefectures flock to the dangerous grounds of the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp. Among them are elite masters sent by major powers from other prefectures."

"They delve deep into the perilous lands, hunting a wide variety of Exotic Beasts for different purposes. It’s not impossible that someone has hunted a Red-eyed Poison Python and was lucky enough to obtain its Essence Blood."

He said in a low voice, "How about this: give me a few days, Chief Chen. I’ll immediately mobilize the Liu Family’s network in the surrounding prefectures, especially focusing on the major merchant guilds and intelligence organizations we have long-term relationships with. I’ll specifically ask around Lin’an Prefecture, Fengle Prefecture, and Pingyang Prefecture—the ones adjacent to the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp. I’ll see if there has been any word of a Red-eyed Poison Python Essence Blood transaction or appearance in the last year or two. If I get any solid news, regardless of the price, I’ll inform you immediately! What do you say?"

A few months ago, when Chen Qing was just an ordinary disciple with some potential at the Cyan Wood Institute, Liu Chengzong would have likely offered a few pleasantries in response to such a thankless request, politely expressed his inability to help, and at most, promised to keep an eye out. He certainly wouldn’t have gone to such great lengths.

But things were different now!

The man before him was the Chief Disciple of the Wutai Sect’s Cyan Wood Institute!

He was the future Dean of the Cyan Wood Institute, a sure thing, and perhaps even a candidate to contend for the position of Sect Leader!

His potential, and the enormous benefits he could bring in the future, were far beyond what a few ordinary transactions could compare to.

Hearing this, Chen Qing began to think to himself.

’Liu Chengzong’s proposal is the most reliable plan for now.’

’If I were to run off to other prefectures searching blindly, it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. It would be time-consuming, exhausting, and most likely fruitless.’

’Having the Liu Family, a local bully, use its inter-prefecture network to investigate will be far more efficient.’

Chen Qing cupped his hands in a solemn gesture. "That would be excellent. I’ll have to trouble you then, Steward Liu. This matter is quite important to me, so please put in the extra effort."

"Chief Chen, you’re too kind! Your business is my business. I will certainly give it my all!"

Liu Chengzong patted his chest, guaranteeing it.

With the main business concluded, Chen Qing remembered the other purpose of his trip.

He took two bundles from his robes, unwrapped them, and placed them on the table.

Inside were those two sets of Lower-Grade Treasure Armor. One was the slightly damaged set stripped from Ye Zhenshan’s corpse, and the other was the one Wu Manqing had previously gifted him.

"Also, these two sets of Inner Armor are useless to me. Could I trouble you to take a look, Steward Liu, and see if they can be exchanged for silver?"

Liu Chengzong’s eyes lit up, and he immediately called over two experienced Treasure Appraisers.

The two men inspected them carefully, paying special attention to the damaged Inner Armor. They repeatedly felt the broken area, testing the degree to which its defensive capabilities had diminished.

A moment later, one of the appraisers whispered a few words in Liu Chengzong’s ear.

Liu Chengzong nodded and turned to Chen Qing.

"Chief Chen, both of these are Inner Armor of the Lower-Grade Treasure Artifact class. Their material is tough and can withstand ordinary Sharp Weapons and True Qi impacts, making them quite valuable. However, this one..."

He pointed to Ye Zhenshan’s set. "The damage here is quite severe. Its defense is reduced by at least thirty percent, and repairs would be costly, so its value is greatly diminished. The other set is in perfect condition and will fetch the standard market price."

"As a package deal for both, I can offer you an honest price: seventy-two thousand taels of silver. What do you think?"

Chen Qing nodded readily. "Done."

"Excellent!"

Liu Chengzong clapped his hands with a smile and immediately ordered the accountant to bring a thick stack of silver notes. He had them counted out in front of Chen Qing before handing them over.

With seventy-two thousand taels in hand, plus what he had left over, Chen Qing finally had some silver on him again.

After putting away the silver notes, Chen Qing stood up to leave.

Liu Chengzong personally escorted him to the door of the private room and assured him once more, "Rest assured, Chief Chen. I will handle the matter of the Red-eyed Poison Python Essence Blood with utmost urgency. The moment there is any news, I will send someone to inform you immediately!"