Misery: There is a pawn shop here

Chapter 192 The Mysterious Age, the Hall of Longevity, the Formula for Immortality

"I never imagined that the owner of the pawnshop would know someone as insignificant as me." Inside a pawnshop, a name revealed the visitor's identity.

Saloman lowered her eyelashes, her long lashes casting a fan-shaped shadow beneath her eyelids, concealing the fleeting panic in her eyes. As she bowed, her waist bent slightly, the silver ornaments in her hair trembling gently with the movement, making a soft, rustling sound, much like her turbulent emotions. The word "nameless person" was uttered very softly, carrying three parts humility and seven parts probing, as if she wanted to shrink herself into a silhouette in the shadows, avoiding the other person's all-knowing gaze.

"The astrologer of the Hall of Eternal Life..."

Li Xuanxiao smiled slightly at Saloman, who seemed somewhat at a loss after his background was exposed, and said, "Just tell me why you've come to Youjian Pawnshop."

Upon hearing this, Saloman looked up at the figure not far away. Just like that day at the Heavenly Pillar, all Saloman saw was a pure black-robed phantom, its face obscured. Before coming here, she had considered the possibility that the other party might know about the Ghostly Age Longevity Palace, but Li Xuanxiao's revelation now encompassed not only her and the Ghostly Age Longevity Palace, but even her true identity.

But Saloman quickly calmed down and said softly, "The messenger who brought Saloman to this place said that everything can be pawned here to fulfill one's wishes, so Saloman has a pawn request."

“To call it a request would be an exaggeration,” Li Xuanxiao said, shaking his head. “Everything is just a transaction. Since you have a wish, our pawnshop will naturally grant it. Just state your request.”

"Yes." Saloman nodded and said, "Since you know about the Hall of Longevity of the Mysterious Age, you should also know about its current situation. Saloman wants to exchange the gold coin obtained from the transaction on the Tower of Heaven that day for the unsealing of the Hall of Longevity of the Mysterious Age."

"Oh? Hahahaha."

Upon hearing Saloman's request, Li Xuanxiao chuckled, but Saloman detected no genuine amusement in it.

"Using the pawnshop's free gifts as collateral for pawning is a brilliant scheme."

Upon hearing Li Xuanxiao's words, Saloman immediately sensed something was wrong, but before she could explain, Li Xuanxiao interrupted her.

"The young lady is not unintelligent, but given the current state of the Eternal Life Palace, this single gold coin is far from sufficient." The figure beneath the black robe leaned slightly to the side, the candlelight blurring his silhouette, but his voice clearly reached Saloman's ears.

A coin serving as an entry qualification can be obtained by any martial artist with some skill, as long as they are willing to pawn it. The only differences are the gold, silver, and bronze colors and the different levels of access. Li Xuanxiao did not explain, but he believed that when the illusion begins, it would soon become known throughout the martial arts world without anyone noticing.

Saloman was not surprised by what Li Xuanxiao said. On the contrary, she felt a chill when she heard Li Xuanxiao's words. Now that the two sides could reach an agreement through a transaction, at least the most fundamental goal of this trip was hopeful to be achieved.

“Saroman has limited resources right now. As long as the pawnshop is willing to help the Guiling Changsheng Palace unseal its seal, the Guiling Changsheng Palace will surely reward you handsomely.” Saloman spoke urgently, but her voice suddenly became hoarse when she met Li Xuanxiao’s seemingly present gaze.

The feeling wasn't one of scrutiny, but rather of appraising a commodity waiting to be sold. And the words that followed were spoken softer than expected, even Saloman herself could hear the lack of confidence in them.

"Oh? What if I wanted the secret techniques for immortality hidden in the Hall of Longevity?" Xuanxiao's voice suddenly turned cold, like an ice spike piercing the surface of water.

The secret art of longevity of the Guiling Longevity Palace essentially involves cultivating medicinal humans using the essence of the Venerable Serpent as backup for organ transplants, in order to maintain bodily functions and extend lifespan. To be honest, the technique is quite skillful, but its limitations are enormous. Li Xuanxiao's interest was primarily in exploring its potential for upgrading Xiao after further refinement. However, while the elixir of immortality has significant limitations, it undeniably grants a considerable lifespan, which is the very foundation of the Guiling Longevity Palace. Even with Saloman's special status within the Guiling Longevity Palace, she couldn't easily agree to Li Xuanxiao's conditions, a fact that didn't surprise Li Xuanxiao at all.

After a moment, Saloman slowly spoke, "I'm sorry, Saloman cannot fully agree on this matter. Please forgive me."

"It's alright, distinguished guest may leave." Li Xuanxiao raised his hand to indicate. The Guiling Longevity Palace was a power that was unremarkable in its early, middle, and late stages. The only thing worth mentioning was the slightly valuable elixir of immortality. As for Saloman, her value was also pitifully small.

"Hmm? Wait a moment," Saloman said. "I've heard that pawnshops are never short of transactions involving people as collateral. Does this pawnshop really think Saloman is worthless?"

"Value?" Li Xuanxiao slowly shook his head and said, "To say it's worthless would be an insult to you, but in the end, you are just a fish that slipped through the net of the Guiling Longevity Palace. If you are truly determined to unseal the Guiling Longevity Palace at all costs, the pawnshop is not unable to accept this transaction. As for the bargaining chip, it is you."

"Me?" A look of confusion appeared on Saloman's face.

"Your life, soul, emotions, everything about you belongs to Youjian Pawnshop. The pawnshop can assist the Guiling Changsheng Palace in breaking the seal, but this transaction is limited to this."

"This……"

"Please take this pawn token and consider it carefully."

After saying this, Li Xuanxiao raised his hand to signal, and a gust of wind suddenly swept through the hall. Saloman looked at the black-robed phantom in front of her, and another figure in her mind appeared and disappeared.

Does all of this mean that Saloman will forget you along with all of this...?

Saloman's unease grew stronger. She couldn't bear to give up; if the price really was that person, then...

"Please allow Saloman more time to consider this matter. Farewell."

After saying that, Saloman turned and left, her skirt tracing a wistful arc in the air.

Yin Qiujun, perhaps you are right, I just hope you can really...

Li Xuanxiao watched the other party's departing figure without offering any advice. After all, it was just Saloman; if she wasn't willing to make a deal, the pawnshop wouldn't force her. Besides, comparing immortality and eternal youth, Li Xuanxiao was actually more interested in the Fountain of Immortality. Moreover, there was still an unborn calamity dragon within the City of Immortality.

"Let Xiao begin preparing the Letter of Heartbreak. The real excitement is about to begin on the Tower of Heaven."

(End of this chapter)