Void Sword

After that, Song Qingming found two more similar shops in the Marketplace and sold off Liu Tianlong's Storage Bag along with the Demonic Beast Materials he had recently acquired. Several hundred Spirit Stones instantly appeared in his Storage Bag.

Touching the bulging Storage Bag at his waist, Song Qingming walked contentedly along a street on the western side of Guiyun Marketplace. Seeing that it was already getting late, he decided to continue looking around the Marketplace today and buy some pills he needed, then leave Guiyun Marketplace early the next morning and return to Qinghe County.

After strolling through several streets of the Marketplace, Song Qingming's Storage Bag was already filled with quite a few pills, Spirit Talismans, and a large amount of Talisman Paper and other materials needed for Talisman Making. Since it was rare for him to visit such a large Marketplace, Song Qingming simply indulged in a satisfying shopping spree.

When he passed a Rogue Cultivator's stall, he haggled for quite a while before buying a manual on Talisman Making at a low price. Only when he saw that the several hundred Spirit Stones on him had dwindled to less than half did he reluctantly stop.

Before he knew it, Song Qingming had entered a rather quiet street. This street could be considered the least bustling place in all of Guiyun Marketplace. Of the several dozen shops lining the road, more than half had already shut their doors, and there were very few pedestrians on the street. It was far less prosperous than the other streets.

Song Qingming walked several dozen zhang down the Qingshi-paved street. Just as he was about to reach its end, he stopped and prepared to turn back. At that moment, an inconspicuous little shop by the roadside caught his attention.

Song Qingming looked up at the wooden sign above the shop and saw five clear black characters written in charcoal: "Li's Sundries Shop."

Upon entering, he discovered that the shopkeeper was a Middle-aged Cultivator. He was tall and lean, with refined features, dressed in an ordinary azure Daoist robe. His cultivation appeared to have reached the Late Qi Refining Stage.

When the Middle-aged Cultivator saw Song Qingming enter, he did not immediately come forward to greet him. He merely narrowed his eyes and calmly glanced at Song Qingming.

On the counter lay some common low-grade talismans, medicinal herbs, and similar goods, as well as a pile of first-grade Magic Tools that appeared to be finely crafted.

In Song Qingming's view, these Magic Tools had likely been made by the shopkeeper himself. Many Rogue Cultivators who learned crafts like Artifact Refining chose to open small shops like this in such Marketplaces. The costs were not too high, and they could gather raw materials while selling the finished Magic Tools they refined. There were many Rogue Cultivators like this in Qinghe Market as well.

After casually browsing the shop's goods for a while, Song Qingming stepped forward, picked up an ordinary High-grade Flying Sword from the counter, and asked:

"Shopkeeper, how many Spirit Stones does this flying sword cost?"

The Middle-aged Cultivator gave Song Qingming a somewhat surprised look and was about to answer when another young shop assistant suddenly sprang out from behind the counter and shouted, "My apologies, Fellow Daoist. This sword was left here by a senior. Without his permission, we cannot sell it to anyone. Why don't you look at the other Magic Tools instead?"

Song Qingming was stunned when he heard this. Since the item was connected to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he instantly lost his nerve. He slowly put down the flying sword in his hand, his heart immediately filling with regret.

The very reason he had entered this shop was because of this item. It was as though the flying sword shared some predestined bond with him; the moment he spotted it from the street, he had suddenly wanted to take it away with him.

With the Mana of his Fifth Level of Qi Refining cultivation, he could at most use two Magic Tools at once. He already possessed the Blazing Sun Sword and the Black Gold Shield, so under normal circumstances, he had no need to purchase any more Magic Tools for the time being.

He had spent so long browsing the Marketplace today only to buy Spirit Talismans and pills. He had not intended to purchase any Magic Tools at all, yet for some reason, the moment he neared this shop, he had been firmly drawn to this sword.

Normally, Mid Qi Refining Stage cultivators had no use for High-grade Magic Tools. Their Mana was limited, and activating a High-grade Magic Tool would quickly drain it away. If they could not defeat their opponent in a short time, they would lose due to Mana exhaustion instead. In that respect, Mid-grade Magic Tools were more practical.

Only cultivators with special cultivation methods, or those whose Mana was much more abundant than others of the same stage for some other reason, could continuously wield High-grade Magic Tools in battle after refining them. Most such cultivators possessed outstanding combat abilities. After refining a High-grade Magic Tool, they could even kill ordinary Late Qi Refining Stage cultivators across a cultivation gap.

For the current Song Qingming, the time when he needed a High-grade Magic Tool was still far away. When he had seen the High-grade Magic Tool in Liu Tianlong's Storage Bag, he had not entertained the slightest thought of refining it for himself.

High-grade Magic Tools were also far more expensive than Mid-grade Magic Tools. An ordinary Mid-grade Flying Sword, like the Blazing Sun Sword in Song Qingming's hand, cost only twenty Spirit Stones when exchanged directly within the clan. Even in a Marketplace, it would cost no more than thirty Spirit Stones.

A High-grade Flying Sword, however, generally cost around one hundred Spirit Stones in a Marketplace. The price of one High-grade Flying Sword could equal that of three or four Mid-grade Magic Tools.

After taking the sword from Song Qingming's hand, the young cultivator slowly placed it into an ancient Sword Box. He was extremely careful throughout the process, afraid that he might accidentally bump the sword.

Seeing Song Qingming lower his head with a sigh and prepare to leave the shop, the shopkeeper, dressed as a middle-aged Daoist, suddenly spoke.

"This little friend, may this old Daoist ask you something? Why do you wish to buy this sword?"

"I don't know. I saw this sword from afar and simply felt that it was fated with me."

Song Qingming shook his head, turned around, and answered with an earnest expression.

After hearing Song Qingming's words, the shopkeeper paused, then smiled. "Since it is fated with you, this old man shall make an exception today and decide on behalf of my old friend. This sword shall be sold to you."

"Master, this sword was left here by your friend. How can you sell it to him so easily? Even if you want to sell it, you should find someone suitable!"

The young cultivator who had just put away the sword clutched the Sword Box dearly and spoke anxiously to the shopkeeper, as though Song Qingming should not be allowed to buy it. This left Song Qingming feeling rather strange.

This young man's cultivation was not high, only at the Fourth Level of Qi Refining, yet he seemed to look down on Song Qingming. He was truly looking down on people through a dog's eyes. A few months ago, Song Qingming naturally would not have objected, but now he was no longer someone who could not afford such a small sum of Spirit Stones.

"Alas, for those of us who pursue the Dao, nothing matters more than fate. Since this item is fated with this little brother, he is naturally a suitable person. Little brother, take this sword."

The young cultivator still wanted to say something, but the shopkeeper glared him back with a single look. He could only hand the Sword Box to Song Qingming with a face full of unwillingness.

Song Qingming took the Sword Box and carefully placed it into his Storage Bag, unable to suppress his delight. He had thought he would not be able to obtain the item, only for the situation to suddenly take a turn for the better. For a moment, he could hardly believe it.

"May I ask, Senior, what is this sword called?"

"This sword was originally named Void. Now that it has changed masters, what you call it is up to you."

"Void. It truly is a fine name. Since it will follow me from now on, it shall keep that name." Having obtained the sword, Song Qingming could not help feeling pleased. He turned to leave the shop.

"Ah, little brother, wait."

"Shopkeeper, is there something else?"

"You have not paid the Spirit Stones yet."

"Oh, right. My apologies. How many Spirit Stones?"

"Since little Daoist friend is one fated with it, I will not earn any profit on this sword. Just give me one hundred and fifty Spirit Stones."

"Damn, that expensive?"

"If you do not have enough Spirit Stones, then forget it. Have a look at the other Magic Tools instead!" Seeing that Song Qingming thought it was too expensive, the young cultivator looked delighted and wanted to take back the Sword Box. Instead, he saw Song Qingming directly take out Spirit Stones from his Storage Bag.

Isn't it just one hundred and fifty Spirit Stones? Take them.

After leaving Li's Sundries Shop, Song Qingming walked along the street, feeling as though the master and disciple might have put on a double act to swindle him. If that was truly the case, their acting was excellent, especially the young cultivator's gaze. From beginning to end, he had looked down on Song Qingming.

Even after Song Qingming had produced one hundred and fifty Spirit Stones on the spot to buy the item at an inflated price, the young cultivator still wore a reluctant expression. Compared to the shrewd, wily Rogue Cultivators Song Qingming had seen on Caolu Mountain, this young man was far more impressive.

Although he felt that one hundred and fifty Spirit Stones was somewhat expensive, Song Qingming always had a feeling deep down that this sword truly was fated with him.

Forget it. I'll just count it as indulging myself for once today.