Two days after claiming Jian Wuhen's laboratory, Wei Liang and Zhang Wuji returned to Iron Sword City to prepare for interdimensional travel. The scholar's research indicated that the nearest portal to the Azure Dragon Realm was located in the Merchant Quarter's most exclusive establishment—the Jade Harmony Teahouse, where spatial formation specialists conducted discrete business with wealthy clients.
The teahouse occupied a five-story pagoda constructed from luminescent jade, its architecture designed to harmonize multiple qi frequencies for optimal cultivation environments. Private chambers on the upper floors served customers who required absolute discretion for sensitive transactions.
"The formation master we need is called Gu Tianming," Zhang Wuji explained as they approached the establishment. "He specializes in interdimensional portals but operates very carefully. His services cost enormous sums, and he only deals with clients who can demonstrate both wealth and power."
Simple requirements, Wei Liang thought. Wealth can be acquired through selective harvesting, and power demonstration should be straightforward enough.
Inside, the teahouse's atmosphere was refined elegance designed to impress wealthy cultivators. Servants moved with professional grace between tables where Core Formation and Soul Transformation experts conducted quiet business over premium spirit teas. The establishment's clientele represented the Sword Saint Region's commercial elite.
Wei Liang and Zhang Wuji secured a table on the second floor, positioning themselves to observe the other patrons while waiting for their appointment with Gu Tianming. The scholar had managed to arrange a meeting through his academic credentials, though access to the formation master would require passing several layers of screening.
Their peaceful observation was interrupted when a commotion erupted at a nearby table. A young man in lavishly embroidered robes was berating a server over some perceived slight in tea service, his arrogant voice carrying across the previously quiet establishment.
"Incompetent dogs!" the young master declared, his Soul Transformation aura pressing down on the trembling servant. "Do you not recognize the insignia of the Divine Sword Palace? My father is Elder Sword Tianyang! This insult to my dignity demands blood compensation!"
Another entitled young master, Wei Liang observed with predatory interest. Divine Sword Palace suggests significant resources and high-level techniques. Potentially valuable for both immediate consumption and reputation establishment.
The situation escalated when other patrons began expressing annoyance at the disruption. The Jade Harmony Teahouse catered to discrete business, and loud confrontations interfered with everyone's activities.
"Young Master Sword," an older cultivator said diplomatically, "perhaps the matter could be resolved more quietly? Many of us have sensitive business to conduct."
The young master turned toward the speaker with obvious fury. "You dare lecture Sword Wutian about proper behavior? My family's Divine Thunder Sword techniques have dominated this region for three centuries! Show proper respect or face the consequences!"
Sword Wutian of the Divine Sword Palace, Wei Liang noted, filing the information for future use. His arrogance suggests powerful backing but limited personal experience with genuine threats. Perfect target for demonstration purposes.
Wei Liang rose from his table and approached the disturbance with casual confidence. "Young Master Sword's reputation precedes him," he said politely, offering a respectful bow. "However, perhaps the teahouse's elegant atmosphere deserves consideration? Such a refined establishment reflects poorly on disturbances."
Sword Wutian's attention focused on Wei Liang with immediate hostility. His cultivation senses detected late-stage Soul Transformation with unusual depth, suggesting either hidden techniques or specialized training that made power assessment difficult.
"Another insect presuming to lecture his betters," Sword Wutian sneered. "Since you're so concerned with atmosphere, perhaps you'd prefer to discuss refinement outside where your blood won't stain the furniture?"
Perfect provocation, Wei Liang thought, his blood beginning to stir with anticipation. Public challenge from established nobility will provide excellent cover for selective harvesting.
"Young Master Sword's consideration for the establishment is admirable," Wei Liang replied smoothly. "However, I was hoping to finish my tea before any educational demonstrations began."
The casual dismissal sent Sword Wutian into predictable fury. "Arrogant dog! You dare mock the Divine Sword Palace? Prepare to experience why our thunder techniques are feared throughout the realm!"
Divine Thunder Sword—Lightning Judgment Strike!
Sword Wutian's attack filled the teahouse's second floor with crackling electrical energy, his technique creating thunder-patterns that would have reduced ordinary Soul Transformation cultivators to charred remains. The method was genuinely impressive, backed by centuries of sect refinement and his considerable cultivation base.
Wei Liang stood motionless in the center of the electrical storm, his robes unmarked by the intense energy discharge. When the attack concluded, he examined his tea cup with mild concern.
"The thunder technique was quite impressive," he commented conversationally. "However, the electrical discharge seems to have cooled my tea. Would Young Master Sword mind reheating it?"
The teahouse fell into stunned silence. Sword Wutian's Divine Thunder Sword techniques were legendary for their destructive power, yet this apparently ordinary customer had absorbed them without visible effect.
"Impossible," Sword Wutian whispered, his face pale with shock. "My bloodline is pure Divine Sword heritage! My techniques carry the mandate of heaven itself! How did you—"
"Simple explanation," Wei Liang interrupted, his predatory smile beginning to show. "Your lightning is indeed divine. Unfortunately for you, I have consumed gods."
Iron Blood Manual—Conceptual Consumption: Divine Thunder Integration!
The Heavenly Demon Blood Spear materialized as Wei Liang's absorption abilities activated, drawing Sword Wutian's thunder techniques directly into his own cultivation base. The Divine Sword Palace's centuries of accumulated lightning mastery began flowing like streams of liquid electricity into Wei Liang's growing collection.
Divine Thunder Sword techniques... Lightning Judgment methods... Heavenly Thunder Bloodline heritage... all of it becoming part of my arsenal, Wei Liang thought with savage satisfaction as Sword Wutian's power was systematically stripped away.
The young master attempted to retreat, but his techniques were already being consumed faster than he could regenerate them. "Who are you? What manner of demon possesses such abilities?"
"I am Death," Wei Liang replied simply, his spear now wreathed with absorbed thunder patterns. "And you are today's appetizer."
The other teahouse patrons fled in terror as they recognized what they were witnessing. This was not a normal cultivation duel but something far more fundamental—a predator consuming its prey in the most literal sense possible.
Sword Wutian's followers attempted to intervene, but their attacks were absorbed and redirected with contemptuous ease. One by one, they fell to blood-spears enhanced with their own techniques, their cultivation bases joining their young master's in Wei Liang's ever-expanding arsenal.
Through Sword Wutian's fading consciousness, Wei Liang absorbed valuable intelligence about the Divine Sword Palace's treasure vaults and technique libraries. More importantly, he learned about other young masters with legendary bloodlines who frequented the region's exclusive establishments.
Efficient hunting, Wei Liang concluded as the last of his victims crumbled to ash. The teahouse's wealthy clientele will spread word of my power, making future negotiations considerably more... productive.
As the chaos settled, Zhang Wuji emerged from behind an overturned table, his scholarly robes singed but his determination intact. "Senior Wei," he said shakily, "our appointment with Gu Tianming may have been compromised. The formation master values discretion above all else."
Wei Liang considered the situation. The public display had indeed been dramatic, but it had also established his reputation as someone not to be trifled with. Formation masters who dealt in interdimensional portals would understand the value of accommodating dangerous clients rather than refusing their business.
Let them fear the name Death, he decided. Fear makes negotiations simpler and reduces the likelihood of betrayal during sensitive transactions.
"I suspect Master Gu will be more accommodating now," Wei Liang said calmly, settling back into his chair. "Please have the servants bring fresh tea. The previous service was unfortunately interrupted."