Two chapters today, I'm taking a rest...
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Class disparity and status hierarchy exist everywhere.
Duo Ao City was indeed bustling and prosperous. Yang Kai walked along, observing the cultivation levels and numbers of passing martial artists, feeling a slight tremor in his heart.
It seemed that on the Tongxuan Continent, Shenyou Realm martial artists were quite a common group. Six out of every ten fighters he encountered within Duo Ao City were at the Shenyou Realm, and occasionally he even spotted some experts at the Transcendence Realm.
In the other world, the Shenyou Realm had already been a respectable level. In some places, even Zhenyuan Realm cultivators could lord over entire territories. But here, the Shenyou Realm meant nothing.
Following Yun Xuan into a grand hall, Yang Kai noticed many martial artists coming and going. Those entering mostly wore expressions of nervousness and anticipation, while those leaving either looked delighted or dejected—leaving him puzzled about what this place actually was.
Inside the hall, there were numerous private chambers, and outside several of them, lines of martial artists waited for something.
Yun Xuan led Yang Kai and Shui Ling straight to the innermost chamber.
The floor inside was covered with a thick, soft fur carpet, and the surrounding walls were carved with many lifelike designs. An incense burner in the center held precious aromatic herbs, filling the room with a warm, pleasant glow.
A portly old man sat in a grand armchair, his expression haughty. He was coldly regarding a Shenyou Realm peak-stage martial artist before him, looking rather impatient.
Just as Yang Kai arrived at the doorway with Yun Xuan, he happened to hear the old man say flatly to the martial artist: "Without Sky-Serpent Poison Feathers, I can't possibly repair this artifact for you. On top of that, you're not a disciple of my Duo Ao Alliance, so the fee goes up by another twenty percent. You don't have the materials, and you don't have enough payment—how am I supposed to take action? What do you take me for?"
As he spoke, he gave a casual wave of his hand. "Go on. Find the materials, gather the payment, then come back. Or you can try another artifact refiner. Their fees aren't as steep as mine."
"Master..." The martial artist tried to plead once more, but the old man shot him a glare, and the rest of his words died in his throat. Looking thoroughly defeated, he shook his head helplessly and turned to leave.
As he passed through the doorway, he let out a heavy sigh. Yang Kai glanced at the artifact in his hand and considered the old man's words, suddenly gaining an understanding of what this place actually was.
The old man sitting inside had by now noticed Yun Xuan outside. His eyes lit up, and he waved with a warm smile. "Miss Yun Xuan is here! Come right in."
Yun Xuan smiled faintly and stepped inside, greeting him with a cheerful face. "Master Ma."
The old man beamed, his demeanor completely different from the impatient, arrogant manner he had shown the previous martial artist. He became extraordinarily affable, which left Yang Kai marveling in wonder—he couldn't figure out what kind of charm Yun Xuan possessed to cause such a dramatic shift in the old man's attitude.
Even if she was a member of the Duo Ao Alliance, that alone shouldn't account for it.
Moreover, the way the old man looked at her was entirely warm and genial, like an elder regarding a younger generation member—there was not the slightest trace of improper intent.
"Have you broken another artifact?" Master Ma shook his head with a wry smile and extended his hand. "Take it out, let me have a look."
Yun Xuan stuck out her tongue playfully, looking cute and mischievous. With a graceful flick of her slender hand, a brilliant light appeared. Yang Kai focused and saw that it was a spear-shaped artifact crackling with arcs of electricity—no low grade, either.
But at the moment, the spear had several cracks running along its length, and the shaft was spotted and pitted, as though something had corroded it.
"The battle you were in was no simple matter," Master Ma said, his expression turning serious. He gazed thoughtfully at Yun Xuan and sighed. "Sigh, a girl—why push yourself so hard?"
Yun Xuan giggled. "It just happened accidentally."
"You… I really don't know what to say about you."
"Then don't say anything, Elder!" Yun Xuan coaxed, simultaneously producing some materials and spirit stones and handing them over. "Here are the repair materials and the fee."
"No fee needed," Master Ma said, shaking his head.
"But I'm just an ordinary disciple of the alliance. I can't go breaking the alliance's rules, can I?"
"I said no fee, and that's final. I have that much authority at least. What—do you look down on me?" Master Ma pretended to be offended, putting on a stern face.
Yun Xuan stuck out her tongue again. Left with no choice, she took the spirit stones back.
"Come back in three days to collect it. This time I'll refine it to a grade where it can't be damaged!" Master Ma's face brimmed with confidence.
"Thank you, Master Ma!" Yun Xuan was overjoyed.
"Can this master really repair artifacts?" Yang Kai had been observing from the side the entire time and only now finally spoke up.
Master Ma's clothing was rather distinctive, and on his chest was embroidered a special insignia. Yang Kai didn't know what the insignia represented, but it was presumably the mark of an artifact refiner—much like how an alchemist wore their own symbol on their chest.
Upon hearing this, Master Ma looked up at Yang Kai and chuckled. "Repairing artifacts is my trade, so of course I can. Are you a new member of Yun Xuan's team?"