**Chapter 110: The Artifact Pavilion**
The concentration of spiritual energy in this area was similar to where Wei Fan lived, giving He Song the feeling that he was visiting Wei Fan's home again.
Fortunately, this feeling was just an illusion.
After moving all his belongings into his new residence and making some minor adjustments to the house, the entire courtyard soon took on a fresh look.
Compared to before, it now had a touch of liveliness and human presence.
It also stood out distinctly from Wei Fan's courtyard.
After completing all this, He Song looked at his new home, and a satisfied expression flickered across his face.
"I'll likely be living here for a long time to come, so I need to prepare safety measures as well."
He thought to himself that he should dig a hole beneath the courtyard.
But soon, He Song shook his head.
Digging the hole could wait until after he returned from Azurepeak Immortal City.
He was set to leave for Azurepeak Immortal City tomorrow, and if he started digging now, he wouldn't be able to dig very deep.
Rather than rushing, it would be better to wait until he returned to begin the excavation.
At that time, he could design a hole deeper than the one outside the Immortal Market.
If things went wrong, he could simply hide underground.
For now, the most important task was to visit the Artifact Pavilion and exchange his two low-grade artifacts—one for offense and one for defense—for two medium-grade artifacts of the same types.
With two medium-grade artifacts and some spirit talismans, his trip to Azurepeak Immortal City would proceed without any issues.
After placing all his belongings in his new home and ensuring that his small cargo storage bag contained only spirit rice, He Song stepped out of the courtyard and headed to the Artifact Pavilion.
The Artifact Pavilion was located on the outskirts of the Immortal Market.
In fact, most shops that sold goods to the public were situated on the outskirts of the Immortal Market.
The inner circle of the Immortal Market was accessible only to cultivators at the late Qi Refining stage, their servants, or close friends.
For ordinary rogue cultivators, entering the inner circle was no easy task.
Therefore, shops like the Artifact Pavilion, which dealt in buying and selling goods, were typically located on the outskirts of the Immortal Market.
As He Song made his way there, he soon arrived at the Artifact Pavilion.
"Senior He, greetings! Congratulations on your breakthrough. With your current progress, Foundation Establishment is within reach. Please, take a seat."
As soon as He Song entered the Artifact Pavilion, a figure appeared beside him.
At first, seeing a familiar face, this person naturally addressed He Song as "Brother He."
But halfway through his sentence, a glint of realization flashed in his eyes, and he quickly corrected himself, changing "Brother He" to "Senior He."
Two years had passed since they last met, and He Song, who had been at the sixth level of Qi Refining, had now successfully advanced to the seventh level, becoming a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.
The difference in cultivation level and status between the mid and late stages of Qi Refining was significant.
Therefore, this person, who had previously addressed He Song as "Brother He," immediately changed his tone upon realizing He Song's breakthrough, showing great respect.
He Song recognized this person.
His name was Lu Yang, and he was a manager at the Artifact Pavilion, with a cultivation level identical to He Song's previous level—the sixth level of Qi Refining.
Two years ago, when He Song had ample spirit stones, he had come here to purchase one offensive and one defensive low-grade artifact, and it was Lu Yang who had attended to him.
Naturally, upon He Song's arrival this time, Lu Yang was the first to greet him.
But he hadn't expected that in just two years, He Song, who had previously only been able to afford two low-grade artifacts, had now broken through to the seventh level of Qi Refining.
For a moment, Lu Yang's gaze toward He Song was filled with envy that was almost palpable.
The late stage of Qi Refining…
The status and position it brought were far beyond what someone like him, who had been stuck at the sixth level of Qi Refining for a long time without breaking through, could compare to.
As far as he knew, He Song wasn't particularly old.
To break through to the late stage of Qi Refining at such a young age meant that he would likely attempt Foundation Establishment before the age of sixty.
Even if he failed, reaching the ninth level of Qi Refining would still allow him to live a very fulfilling life in his remaining years.
If he succeeded…
"Alright, bring me some medium-grade artifacts. My low-grade artifacts aren't sufficient anymore; I need to replace them."
At Lu Yang's invitation, He Song followed him to the VIP lounge. As Lu Yang respectfully poured him a cup of tea, He Song stated his request.
He Song was only acquainted with Lu Yang from their previous meeting, when he had been attended to by him.
They weren't close friends, having only met once. Therefore, He Song had no intention of engaging in small talk and simply wanted to conclude his business as quickly as possible so he could prepare for his departure to Azurepeak Immortal City the next morning.
"Senior, please wait a moment. I'll fetch them right away."
Upon He Song's instruction, Lu Yang naturally dared not delay.
After pouring He Song a cup of tea, Lu Yang respectfully acknowledged his request and promptly turned to leave.
However, just as he left, a beautiful young woman soon entered the VIP lounge to refill He Song's cup of tea.
Throughout the process, she spoke in a soft and gentle voice, careful not to make any mistakes.
Seeing this, He Song was momentarily taken aback but did not object.
He merely felt a slight sense of reflection in his heart.
When he was at the early stage of Qi Refining, he hadn't even dared to enter the doors of the Artifact Pavilion.
Back then, he had only dared to visit the Technique Pavilion to purchase a few basic spell scrolls and browse through some books on cultivation knowledge.
Even when he had reached the mid-stage of Qi Refining, he had spent a considerable amount of time without setting foot in the Artifact Pavilion.
Even when he visited the Technique Pavilion, he had to carefully consider the amount of spirit stones he had.
And even though he had met Pinger, the executive officer of the Technique Pavilion, and had enjoyed the services of the young women in the VIP lounge, the treatment he received back then was vastly different from what it was now.
At that time, Lu Yang had left immediately after saying his goodbyes, leaving He Song to wait for his return.
But now, having just broken through to the late stage of Qi Refining, the moment he stepped into the Artifact Pavilion, he was greeted with Lu Yang's respectful smile.
Moreover, without being asked, he was escorted to the VIP lounge.
When he expressed his needs, Lu Yang went to fetch them immediately, all while dispatching a beautiful young woman to attend to He Song with tea and other services.
This disparity in treatment made He Song acutely aware of the connection between cultivation level and status.
It also made him realize that as long as one's cultivation was high enough, anything that was previously out of reach would become accessible.
At the same time, he understood one important truth: as long as he lived long enough and cultivated to a high enough level, he could continue to enjoy a life of luxury that most people could scarcely imagine.
"Such longevity is what we cultivators strive for."
With a sigh of reflection, He Song felt a sudden sense of ease in his heart.
His cultivation had reached the late stage of Qi Refining.
At least, within this small Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market, his cultivation level placed him among the elite at the very top of the pyramid.
As such, in addition to his usual caution, it seemed he should also make his life a bit more comfortable.
After all, as a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, living a little better wasn't too much to ask, was it?
(End of Chapter)
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