Chapter 41: “Earthly Ranking”

　　A three-story building that took up an extremely spacious land could be seen on the center of the main road in Yi City. On top of the main entrance hung a board with three big golden words written—Wan Xiang Tower!

　　In an alley that was slightly over ten Zhang away from the Wan Xiang Tower.

　　“Qingshan and I will be going to Wan Xiang Tower. Head to Old Wang’s place on the street in front and sell all the beast hides. Let’s meet up again in this alleyway.” Teng Yongfan gave out instructions before he glanced toward Teng Qinghu and asked, “Qinghu, you haven’t been to the Wan Xiang Tower before either. Do you wanna come with us to take a look at the things sold by Wan Xiang Tower?”

　　“Of course!” Teng Qinghu lifted his head and said.

　　“Alright, then ask the others to help you keep your weapons temporarily.” Teng Yongfan said, “Qingshan, hand over your spear as well. No one is allowed to enter Wan Xiang Tower with weapons.

　　“They have such strict rules!” Teng Qingshan also handed his Damascus Steel Spear to the other clansmen.

　　With this, Teng Yongfan, Teng Qingshan, and Teng Qinghu walked towards Wan Xiang Tower.

　　The entrance of Wan Xiang Tower was guarded by two valiant and heroic looking ladies with a sharp sword hung at their waist. The two ladies smiled as they welcomed every guest. Simultaneously, they reminded the customers not to bring their weapons into Wan Xiang Tower.

　　Dressed like hunters, Teng Qingshan and the others walked in directly without being stopped by the two ladies.

　　“This place is really big.” Teng Qinghu said as his eyes widened in shock.

　　Teng Qingshan was also taken aback. With many counters everywhere, the interior of Wan Xiang Tower was extremely spacious. Just the number of member of the staff who stood at the counter alone surpassed 100. Moreover, this was just the first floor.

　　“Qingshan, everyone of any background can enter Wan Xiang Tower. In addition, you can find all sorts of things here.” Teng Yongfan said, “The first and second floors are both for selling things. As for the third floor.. Outsiders are not allowed. The good items sold by Wan Xiang Tower are extremely costly!”

　　Teng Qingshan looked at the many pieces of items displayed on the counters and exclaimed to himself, “Wan Xiang Tower is really bold to be displaying all of their precious items outside. They aren’t afraid that people would snatch or rob them!” Teng Qingshan’s gaze swept across the room and he noticed that there were also some people patrolling the place.

　　“They’re probably inner strength experts, preventing people from stealing.” Teng Qingshan thought to himself.

　　Teng Qinghu’s eyes widened as he stared at a bangle on the counter and said, “Isn’t this a Blue Flower Stone bangle? When we chance upon a large piece of the Blue Flower Stone in the mountains, we only sold it for one hundred silver taels. The one piece of Blue Flower Stone we found could be used to make several bangles. Yet, this bangle actually cost one hundred and twenty silver taels.”

　　The staff who stood inside the counter only cast a look of disdain at Teng Qinghu.

　　It was clear that Teng Qinghu was a poor villager from the mountains. His clothing showed that there was no way for him to buy these exquisitely made bangles.

　　“Alright, let’s go in a take a look.” Teng Yongfan frowned and glared at Teng Qinghu. He then walked to the side and said in a soft voice, “Qinghu, don’t be creating a fuss. It’s embarrassing. Got it?”

　　Teng Qinghu grinned and did not say another word.

　　“Father, what are you buying?” Teng Qinghu asked.

　　“Some materials for forging weapons. The forging of all those Frost Jade Sabers has depleted most of our materials. Therefore, it’s time to buy some more. Wan Xiang Tower is the only place in Yi City that sells these materials.” Teng Yongfan then headed inside. “Come, let me broaden your horizon. Let’s go and take a look at the counter that sells the materials for forging weapons.

　　When most men from the village first come to the Wan Xiang Tower, they were all extremely shocked.

　　However, to Teng Qingshan, this place was much smaller in size than those large-scaled departmental stores from his previous world. There were also much fewer items in comparison. Therefore, he was not very surprised.

　　Teng Qingshan and the others came to the counter that sold materials for forging weapons.

　　“There are so many messed up things here.” Teng Qinghu mumbled.

　　Indeed, there were various pieces of metals, stones, powdery items, and other items on the counter. Anyway, although all the things here did not appear to be expensive, their prices were astonishingly high.

　　“Qingshan, look,” Teng Yongfan pointed at a piece of silver metal with unique prints on it and said, “This is called the Star Patterned Steel. It can be considered the steel with the best tenacity. It’s the best material for the forging of the body of a longspear! Of course, it is extremely costly as well.”

　　Seeing that Teng Yongfan was a person who recognized the value of the Star Pattern Steel, the member of the staff at the counter boasted, “The body of a longspear made from this Star Patterned Steel is something even unrivaled experts who have reached the legendary Innate Realm would find it hard to break.”

　　“Innate Realm?” Teng Qingshan was taken aback.

　　It was really as the records in the “Millennium Chronicles”stated, the era with bountiful Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth could create innate experts.

　　“What?!” Teng Qinghu stared at the piece of paper under that small piece of Star Patterned Steel, “One Jin of Star Patterned Steel costs one Jin of gold?”

　　Teng Qingshan also looked at that price in astonishment.

　　The Star Patterned Steel is of equivalent value as gold. In this world, the purchasing power of gold was very astonishing. Yet, one tael of Star Patterned Steel was equivalent to one tael of gold, and one tael of gold was equivalent to one hundred silver taels.

　　“The Star Patterned Steel is very heavy and if a longspear is made completely of this material, it would require at least one hundred Jin of Star Patterned Steel.” The staff smiled and said, “That would be one hundred Jin of gold, which is one hundred thousand silver taels! Unless the person is very wealthy or a powerful cultivator, they wouldn’t be able to afford so much money.

　　Teng Qingshan gasped.

　　One hundred thousand silver taels to make a single spear? The spare money that Teng Jia Village had was only around twenty thousand silver taels at most.

　　“Millennium Coldsteel?” Teng Qingshan stared at the piece of black stone that was next to the Star Patterned Steel. It was emanating a threatening cold Qi which could be sensed even without touching it.

　　“Mmm, this Millennium Coldsteel cannot be refined and had been uncovered from various places. However, it is a lot cheaper than the Star Patterned Steel. One Jin of Millennium Coldsteel requires two gold taels!” Teng Yongfan explained from the side. The price of the Millennium Coldsteel was twenty percent of the Star Patterned Steel.

　　Of course, it was still not something which Teng Qingshan and the others could afford.

　　“These materials…” Teng Qingshan exclaimed inwardly. As expected, an era where there was bountiful Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth could nurture many amazing materials. In his previous life, materials like the Millennium Coldsteel could only be found in books. Such amazing metals could no longer be found in the modern world.

　　“Qingshan, the two of you can go take a look at the other places. When I’m done purchasing the materials, I’ll call the two of you and we’ll leave together.” Teng Yongfan said.

　　“Alright, Father.”

　　Teng Qingshan and his cousin Qinghu went to browse around the other counters in the Wan Xiang Tower.

　　“Qingshan, Qingshan,” Teng Qinghu suddenly tugged Teng Qingshan, who looked at him puzzledly, asking “What’s the matter?” He followed Teng Qinghu’s gaze and looked toward Wan Xiang Tower’s entrance. A handsome man wearing long-sleeved aquamarine-colored clothes and a cute girl who was wearing a white marten fur coat entered Wan Xiang Tower together.

　　There were guards and servant behind them.

　　“That’s the daughter of that great salt merchant.” Teng Qinghu lowered his voice and said.

　　“It’s really her.” Teng Qingshan had noticed that as well. However, his attention was more on that guy. “It’s winter now, but that handsome young man is only wearing a set of long-sleeved clothes. He doesn’t seem cold at all. He must be an expert who cultivated inner strength.”

　　“Qingshan,” Teng Qinghu stealthily glanced toward the distant, lowered his voice and said, “This rich young lady is really different from the girls in our village in the mountains. Look how fair her skin is and how tender her face is… Her face is even more tender than the ladies in the brothels.”

　　Hearing this, Teng Qingshan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He then responded to Qinghu with a smile, “If you want to look at her, go closer. Why are you peeking at her from afar? After all, we won’t be able to see her when we are back in the village.

　　The girls living in the mountains were subjected to manual labor from a young age and were exposed to harsh weather conditions. How could they possibly be compared with these young ladies from wealthy families who had everything brought to them at their request?

　　“Mmm, I’ll go and take a closer look.” Teng Qinghu was really bold and actually headed over.

　　…

　　“Big Brother Liu, you boasted to me about how amazing you are. Then let me ask you. Is your name on this Hidden Dragon Ranking?” As they got nearer, Teng Qingshan overheard the salt merchant’s daughter questioning the young man.

　　“Qingyu, those who can get onto the Hidden Dragon Ranking are the few elites across the Nine Prefectures in the world. These elites have been cultivating inner strength since young. I had started off late… However, I don’t care about that Hidden Dragon Ranking. My goal is to be listed on the Earthly Ranking!”

　　The salt merchant’s daughter, ‘Li Qingyu’ covered her mouth and laughed, “You’re thinking of getting onto the Earthly Ranking even though you can’t get onto the Hidden Dragon Ranking?”

　　The young man’s face flushed red as he replied, “Qingyu, don’t tease me. This is just my dream! Also, my Eldest Martial Brother is an elite of this generation who is listed on both the Hidden Dragon Ranking and the Earthly Ranking. What about your Gui Yuan Sect? No one in the Gui Yuan Sect is in the Hidden Dragon Ranking or the Earthly Ranking, right?”

　　“Your Eldest Martial Brother is the amazing one, not you,” Qingyu grumbled.

　　“Alright, Qingyu, don’t be angry.” The young man hurriedly coaxed, “Weren’t you here to purchase a copy of the Hidden Dragon Ranking and the Young Phoenix Ranking? Staff, get us two copies each of the Hidden Dragon Ranking and the Young Phoenix Ranking.”

　　Teng Qingshan could distinctly see that the staff had brought out four thread-bounded books that were as thick as a finger. The book stacked on top of the other two had three big beautifully written words—Hidden Dragon Ranking. The servant behind the young man immediately made the payment with four pieces of silver notes, each worth one hundred silver taels.

　　“Four hundred taels?” Teng Qingshan thought to himself, “Four books cost four hundred taels? Why is it so expensive?”

　　By right, books should be cheap.

　　That pair of handsome and pretty couple headed for the other counters while Teng Qingshan came to the counter which the couple had purchased the books. The three books that stood out the most were the “Hidden Dragon Ranking”, the “Young Phoenix Ranking”, and the “Earthly Ranking”. The “Hidden Dragon Ranking” and the “Young Phoenix Ranking” were both very thick while the”Earthly Ranking” was the only book that was very thin.

　　The “Hidden Dragon Ranking” and the “Young Phoenix Ranking” costs one hundred silver taels while the “Earthly Ranking”costs ten silver taels.

　　“What are these three books?” Teng Qingshan enquired.

　　The staff threw a glance at Teng Qingshan, who was still young, and said with a smile, “Young lad, these three books lists down the famous elites across the Nine Prefectures as well as their biographies. If you want to buy them, go get money from the adults at home.” People who purchased these books were mainly those who trained their inner strength or members of a wealthy family who held great admiration for cultivators. Therefore, these books were priced at a very high cost.”

　　Teng Qingshan was tempted.

　　Although he now knew that there were eight great sects on the Land of Nine Prefectures, he was still not clear about many things.

　　“I’ll be buying that “Earthly Ranking”.” Teng Qingshan said as he took out ten silver taels.

　　As the leader of the of the clan’s Hunting Squadron, he would be given ten silver taels each month. In the clan, the leader of the Hunting Squadron, the Spear Art Master, and the best blacksmith gave the greatest contribution to the clan, and thus, received the most money. However, compared to some guards in Yi City, a monthly allowance of ten silver taels was already considered low.

　　However, they were providing help for the clan after all and thus could not possibly ask for too much.

　　“Qingshan, ten silver taels for a book?” Teng Qinghu, who was beside Teng Qingshan, had just withdrawn his attention and realized that Teng Qingshan had just spent ten silver taels purchasing a book.

　　“That’s right. This book is worth the money.” Teng Qingshan smiled and took the book from the staff.

　　“Hmph, if your father were to hear of this, he’d definitely nag at you.” Teng Qinghu pouted and said.

　　However, Teng Qingshan just stood where he was and started reading through the book.