Rise of the Sword Son-in-Law

Chapter 196: Fourth Layer

The Imperial City Commerce Guild was magnificent and extremely luxurious.

However, for Xu Ping’an, it was nothing special.

He had seen a fair share of the world in his previous life, and there were many places more luxurious than this.

Wu An, on the other hand, seemed incredibly amazed, indicating that he didn’t frequent this place often.

"Sir, the Imperial City Commerce Guild has a total of six floors, the first to fourth are open to the public, but access to the top two floors requires one to be a Cultivator of at least the Seventh Rank or to have an extremely prestigious status," said Wu An.

Xu Ping’an nodded in acknowledgment.

This didn’t surprise him, as these were common practices for commerce guilds.

Xu Ping’an didn’t say much more and simply strolled around the first floor.

The space was rather large, and after a tour, he realized that most of the items here were very common.

They were essentially only useful for Cultivators at the First or Second Rank, and those at the Third or Fourth Rank would find little use for them.

"Sir, the first floor contains the most common items, which are generally for First and Second Rank Cultivators. The second floor houses treasures for Third and Fourth Rank Cultivators."

"The treasures on the third floor are much more prestigious, and they are items that only Fifth Rank Cultivators can use. The treasures on the fourth floor are of superior grade, typically suitable for Sixth Rank Cultivators," Wu An said while walking and briefing Xu Ping’an about the commerce guild.

Listening to the introduction, Xu Ping’an gained some understanding of the Imperial City Commerce Guild.

The specified Cultivation level for each floor wasn’t absolute.

Just because you’re not a Fifth Rank Cultivator, does it mean you cannot buy treasures on the third floor?

Not necessarily, it’s simply that the treasures on the third floor are mostly useful to those above the Fifth Rank.

A Fourth Rank Cultivator consuming such treasures might not be able to bear the terrifying energy and so the saying goes, but there is no real restriction.

For Xu Ping’an, however, such limitations did not exist.

Having practiced the Chaotic Reversal Scripture, Xu Ping’an could absorb any kind of energy, which is why he came to purchase some high-rank treasures that would aid in his True Yuan Transformation.

Soon, Xu Ping’an arrived at the third floor.

The treasures here were numerous, including Spirit Grass and Elixirs that were difficult to find elsewhere.

Most of these treasures could only be used by Fifth Rank Cultivators.

For example, the thousand-year Blood Yan Grass in front of him and the 800-year-old Dragon Breath Fruit, were treasures consumable only by Fifth Rank Cultivators.

The energy contained within was incredibly ferocious.

If a Fourth Rank Cultivator consumed them, they would most likely end up exploding and dying.

As for those Fifth Rank Elixirs, it’s even less necessary to mention them.

Aside from some Healing Pills, Fourth Rank Cultivators consuming Fifth Rank Elixirs would mostly either die or suffer severely.

Of course, there are exceptions, like Xu Ping’an, who possess unique physiques or practice special Cultivation Techniques.

Yet, for Xu Ping’an, these treasures were still not enough.

Although these treasures could satisfy his Cultivation needs, they did not achieve the effect he anticipated.

The True Elemental Transformation he sought was a qualitative process requiring vast amounts of energy; the higher the rank of Energy Treasure, the better its effect. Lower-ranked ones would only result in greater waste.

Therefore, Xu Ping’an headed towards the fourth floor.

Wu An immediately felt troubled, hesitating to speak.

While he did not know Xu Ping’an’s Cultivation level, he could roughly guess that it definitely wouldn’t exceed the Fifth Rank.

Although the first four floors of the commerce guild had no access restrictions, being low-ranked and venturing into the fourth floor could easily incite dissatisfaction among the more powerful Cultivators, unless one had a significant background.

"Sir, perhaps we shouldn’t go up to the fourth floor?" Wu An suggested.

"Why? Isn’t the Fourth Layer unrestricted?" Xu Ping’an asked.

"Yes, it’s unrestricted, but if your cultivation isn’t sufficient, it can still cause dissatisfaction among some of the more powerful cultivators," Wu An hesitantly admitted.

He was worried that if he didn’t speak up, Xu Ping’an would stubbornly go anyway, and it might end up harming him.

"Strong cultivators being dissatisfied?" Xu Ping’an was somewhat puzzled.

"Right, for many powerful cultivators, ascending to the Third or Fourth Layer is an honorable matter, so generally, those with insufficient cultivation or background wouldn’t dare to easily ascend to the Third or Fourth Layer."

"There was once a Fourth Rank Cultivator who went to the Fourth Layer to broaden his horizons. He was seriously injured by a Sixth Rank Expert and ended up completely crippled," Wu An explained patiently, fearing that Xu Ping’an would insist on going to the Fourth Layer.

In fact, he was already quite anxious just being on the Third Layer.

Upon hearing this, Xu Ping’an immediately understood.

He looked around and noticed that several Fifth Rank Cultivators were giving him extremely hostile glances.

Previously, he had been puzzled: he hadn’t met these people before, so why were they showing animosity toward him?

Now he knew. The cultivation he was displaying was that of a Third Rank at the peak, which hardly qualified him to be on the Third Layer.

"Let’s go to the Fourth Layer, don’t worry, nothing will happen," said Xu Ping’an with a smile and continued walking toward the Fourth Layer.

Wu An was taken aback and then alarmed.

Despite his warnings, Xu Ping’an still wanted to ascend to the Fourth Layer.

Was this guy insane? Just entering the Third Layer had already provoked much discontent, yet he still wanted to go to the Fourth Layer.

At that moment, Wu An somewhat regretted taking on Xu Ping’an’s commission.

Xu Ping’an was generous with money, but that wasn’t as important as one’s life.

As a Second Rank cultivator with no background, entering the Fourth Layer would most likely get him killed.

He hesitated for a while, considering whether he should follow.

In the end, he gritted his teeth and decided to follow after all.

"Are these two seeking death?"

As Xu Ping’an and Wu An ascended the stairs to the Fourth Layer, a few Fifth Rank Cultivators on the Third Layer started to discuss.

"Truly seeking death, a Second Rank and a Third Rank going to the Fourth Layer. They’re probably bumpkins from somewhere else, wanting a glimpse of the wider world, but unfortunately..." some shook their heads and sneered.

The others also looked disdainful, none of them considering warning the pair.

These naive youths who hadn’t tasted hardship deserved a harsh lesson.

"By the way, is that member of the Long Family on the Fourth Layer?" someone suddenly asked.

"Yes, Long Shan is up there, entertaining that Saintess from the Shangxian Sect. Knowing his temper, those two are probably doomed," the others said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, the rest felt sympathy for Xu Ping’an and his companion.

Of course, while they felt sympathy, still no one offered a warning.

After all, it wasn’t their elder relative, so what obligation did they have to warn them?

If you’re courting death, no one will indulge you.

Xu Ping’an was unaware of their discussion, and even if he had been, he wouldn’t have cared.

At this moment, he had already stepped into the Fourth Layer.

As soon as he entered the Fourth Layer, he drew the attention of everyone there.

Currently, there were only six people on the Fourth Layer.

Four were Sixth Rank, one was Fifth Rank, and one was at the peak of Fourth Rank Ninth Layer.