The vast hall was clearly divided into two sections.
One half resembled an ordinary shop, with rows of stone counters displaying all manner of materials and treasures upon them. Behind each ten-zhang-long counter stood a beautiful young attendant.
In the vicinity of these counters, a dozen or so men and women were browsing and selecting items they needed, while the lovely attendants stood nearby, offering explanations with smiles from time to time.
The other half of the hall, however, was concealed behind a hazy blue barrier of light. Near what appeared to be the entrance to the barrier, two attendants in blue robes stood with expressionless faces.
Through the barrier, one could faintly make out some shelves, also displaying treasures, though their value was obviously far higher than those in the front half.
Han Li furrowed his brow slightly, and the powerful spiritual pressure he had been suppressing within his body surged outward ever so slightly.
Though it was only the level of late-stage Void Refinement, it was more than enough for everyone in the entire hall to sense it in an instant. Every gaze swept toward him, and looks of reverence appeared on each face.
At that moment, the blue barrier rippled, and a Devil Race woman emerged from within. Her appearance and cultivation both far surpassed those of the attendants outside.
She appeared to be twenty-three or twenty-four years old, dressed in a brocade robe, bearing an air of elegant poise.
With a graceful step, she crossed the distance to Han Li in just a few strides, then dipped her head slightly and said: "Welcome, Senior, to the Caixuan Pavilion. This junior is named Xiaoyan, the acting shopkeeper here. How may I be of service to Senior?"
The woman was a high-ranking Devil Race cultivator at the Deity Transformation stage.
"I hear that your establishment is the largest shop in Blue Falls City. Is that true?" Han Li looked the Devil Race woman over and asked in an even tone.
"Senior, we wouldn't dare claim to be the largest. However, when it comes to the completeness of our inventory, our shop is unquestionably second to none," Xiaoyan replied with a charming smile.
"Oh? If that's the case, then I've likely come to the right place. I have quite a large quantity of items I wish to purchase from your establishment," Han Li nodded and said calmly.
"It is this junior's privilege that Senior has chosen our shop. This is no place for conversation — please follow this junior to the VIP room on the second floor." Xiaoyan's heart rejoiced, and she hurried to say.
For her, when someone of that level of cultivation spoke of making "large purchases," it was bound to be a substantial deal.
Han Li raised no objection. After giving a nod, he followed the woman toward the stairs.
A short while later, Han Li was seated in an elegantly decorated room, sipping a cup of fragrant, pale silver tea.
The woman in the brocade robe stood to one side, smiling as she spoke: "Senior, this Devil Taro tea is a specialty of Blue Falls Lake. It has the effect of calming the soul and nourishing the spirit. Even our shop only receives a few dozen jin of it per year — it truly is exceedingly rare."
"Mm, it's quite impressive. But at my level of cultivation, such effects are rather negligible," Han Li said after finishing his tea, remarking with little interest.
"Of course, at Senior's level, something as trivial as a spirit tea would hardly catch your eye. But I wonder — what items did Senior wish to purchase in large quantities from our shop? As long as we have it in stock, this junior will do everything in her power to satisfy Senior's requirements!" The woman in the brocade robe finally turned to the matter at hand.
"Foreign Devil Gold, and Blood Tooth Rice," Han Li said, wasting no time on pleasantries. He named the two items directly.
Upon hearing the first name, Xiaoyan's expression did not change, but the moment she heard the second, her face shifted involuntarily, and she fell silent for a good while.
"What? Is there a problem with these two items in your shop?" Han Li asked pointedly, pretending not to notice her reaction.
"I won't deceive Senior — the Foreign Devil Gold is no issue. Though it is rather rare, our storeroom still holds a considerable supply. If Senior truly wants it, you are welcome to select as much as you please. As for the Blood Tooth Rice… that is where things become difficult for our shop." The woman in the brocade robe put on a troubled expression.
"Before I came here, I had heard that Blue Falls City exercises rather strict control over Blood Tooth Rice. No matter how powerful one's cultivation may be, only a scant few grains can be purchased per year. But given your shop's standing, surely some flexibility could be arranged?" Han Li raised an eyebrow and asked.
"It seems Senior truly knows nothing about the local production situation for Blood Tooth Rice. If Senior thinks as you just did, then you are sorely mistaken," the woman in the brocade robe said with a bitter smile.
"I've only just arrived in this area and am indeed unfamiliar with the situation. Could you explain further, Fellow Daoist?" Han Li paused briefly before asking in a composed tone.
"There is no need for secrecy in this matter, so there is no harm in telling Senior. This is not this junior boasting — when it comes to other materials and treasures, we at Caixuan Pavilion wouldn't dare claim to have everything, but we do maintain certain procurement channels and can keep a reasonable stock. However, Blood Tooth Rice, as a specialty unique to this city, is controlled exclusively by the City Lord's Manor. Each year, we can only receive a fixed allotment from the Manor according to established regulations. Although our shop is one of the largest in the city, we really don't have all that much Blood Tooth Rice on hand. Moreover, per the City Lord's regulations, every sale of Blood Tooth Rice must be recorded in a registry, and inspections are conducted strictly each year." The woman in the brocade robe explained honestly.
"So you're saying there's absolutely no room for flexibility?" Han Li's brow furrowed at this, and he slowly pressed further.
"I truly apologize — this is beyond what this junior has the power to arrange. However, if Senior only wishes for two or three additional grains, this junior could risk a reprimand from above and try to find a way. Any more than that, and our shop is truly powerless to help." The woman in the brocade robe hesitated for a moment before answering.
"Heh heh, two or three grains? If that's all the extra I could get, why would I have bothered coming to your Caixuan Pavilion in the first place? Never mind. Since your shop finds Blood Tooth Rice too difficult to handle, let's discuss the Foreign Devil Gold instead. Approximately how many pieces do you have, and what are the prices?" Han Li let out a soft laugh and shifted the topic.