Seeing that line, Xu Ziming's face turned strange in an instant.
The sword had been listed for two years without selling, yet the seller still insisted on a price of twenty thousand. However he looked at it, something about it seemed fishy.
Just as he was still hesitating, the other person sent another string of messages.
"My younger brother's in a martial arts high school, and he'll be taking the College Entrance Exam next year. Twenty thousand is all it'll take to buy him a Small Marrow Cleansing Pill and improve his aptitude. My father died because of this sword, but I don't want my brother's dream to be cut short because he lacks resources."
No wonder it hadn't sold. The seller had actually come right out and said his sword had killed someone. He probably really had no idea what it was worth.
"Did your father leave behind any techniques?"
"No. My father only practiced the Basic Body Forging Method. But if you like collecting things, we do have a few items at home."
"Fine. Pack all those items up, and I'll give you twenty thousand."
As he spoke, Xu Ziming set up a Trading Column.
The Trading Column had been specially designed by the modern trading platform to prevent scams. The seller's goods would be moved into the trading space ahead of time.
Only after they passed inspection could the buyer pay. The buyer would only receive the items after paying; otherwise, even if the goods had already entered the Trading Column, they would be returned to the seller.
"I've put the items in the Trading Column."
A moment later, the other person sent a message. Xu Ziming took a look. Apart from the Jinghong Sword, there really were several small items included. He paid at once.
His goal had been the sword all along. He'd haggled at first only to keep the other person from getting suspicious.
Now that he'd gotten the sword and a few extra items besides, he was more than happy.
The moment he tapped the payment button, the Jinghong Sword and the other items appeared before his eyes.
After touching each item, Xu Ziming couldn't help feeling a little disappointed. They were almost all ordinary objects. Some had collectible value, but none of them were of any use to him.
Only then did he place his hand on Jinghong, his heart pounding with excitement.
The familiar Equipment Slot appeared before his eyes. Xu Ziming didn't equip the sword. Instead, he aimed his wristband at it and scanned it.
[Weapon successfully entered into Battle Net. Weapon changed. No weapon attributes detected. Please name your weapon.]
"Let's call it Jinghong."
[Weapon name registered successfully. The sword Jinghong has replaced your original weapon.]
Seeing those words, Xu Ziming's lips curled into a slight smile.
It was time to log back into Battle Net. The Silver Battle was tonight.
[Welcome to Battle Net, Little Ming Who Can't Use a Sword]
[Please begin your journey to Peak of Martial Way today]
Hearing that familiar voice by his ear, Xu Ziming found himself once more in the center of the familiar Martial Arts Arena.
His Life Energy Level had risen again. His swordsmanship had improved. He had Qilin Body and Jinghong.
Together, these four things had long since brought his strength to a whole new level.
Somehow, Xu Ziming sensed that if he were to fight his past self from three days ago, he could probably defeat him completely in just a few moves.
He clicked [Ranked Match].
Xu Ziming's gaze settled once more on the [Black Iron I] rank.
Since he'd failed his promotion match last time, he had to win one match today before he could try again.
Without hesitation, he clicked the start button.
[Matching started, 1s]
[Match found!]
The familiar abandoned battlefield of a foreign race appeared before Xu Ziming's eyes once more.
A handsome-looking young man stood not far away, holding a staff.
"Wow! I got matched with a handsome guy! I'm from Chuanyu Province, but I'm studying in Suzhe Province right now. Would you be interested in adding me as a friend?"
After saying this, the handsome young man immediately winked at Xu Ziming.
"Oh no, he's from Chuanyu!"
A string of rumors about that province flashed through Xu Ziming's mind. He felt goose bumps rise all over his body.
He gripped Jinghong tightly, his gaze as resolute as if he were about to join the Party.
He absolutely couldn't let the guy succeed!
He absolutely had to add this handsome guy as a friend!
On the other side, the handsome young man began to move as well.
Anyone who'd reached Black Iron I was no pushover. He attacked with all his strength and was behind Xu Ziming in a flash.
"Too slow."
The handsome young man might have thought he was fast, but in Xu Ziming's eyes, he was nowhere near quick enough.
The instant he appeared behind him, Xu Ziming's sword slashed backward. With a wet splat, the handsome young man turned into a ball of light and vanished completely.
[Ranked Match victory]
[Ranked score +45, current rank: Black Iron I]
[Promotion match starting soon. Would you like to match?]
"Match."
Without a moment's hesitation, Xu Ziming quickly began matching for another battle. He had to reach Silver Rank tonight.
He stood still for two seconds. Dust seemed to swirl more thickly all around him. Then, at last, the announcement that a match had been found rang out.
A familiar figure appeared before Xu Ziming once more.
It was "Angry Haki-mi."
"Again?" Xu Ziming froze. "This guy's pure Silver gatekeeper material."
As the battle began, Xu Ziming could clearly see the faintest smile flicker across the other guy's face.
It looked like the smile of someone who'd lost match after match, only to finally find a guaranteed win.
At last, he could get a taste of bullying a noob. Silver Rank was too hard. He'd gain a few points, then get knocked back down by the players ranked above him.
And yet, looking at the guy in front of him now, he felt an indescribable sense of danger.
"It's got to be an illusion. How could a normal person improve this much in three days?"
The instant the thought crossed his mind, Xu Ziming vanished.
He used no fancy footwork or nimble rhythm. He simply charged straight ahead.
But his speed was so great that the other guy could barely see him.
So fast!
Xu Ziming wasn't even in front of him yet, but a fierce gust of wind had already scattered his hair.
He had no time to react. Relying only on a Martial Artist's sixth sense, he raised his spear and defended in one direction.
"Clang!"
The sound of weapons clashing rang by his ear.
Xu Ziming instantly pulled Jinghong back, then thrust out more than a dozen strikes in quick succession, each one carrying a natural, effortless beauty.
They were already too fast for "Angry Haki-mi" to sense, even at full stretch.
He raised his spear in a panic and swung it around himself, heedless of the toll on his qi and blood.
This time, his qi and blood fell into disarray.
Now!
Xu Ziming seized his opening and thrust. His sword plunged straight into "Angry Haki-mi's" shoulder, spraying blood.
How could this be?
The thought circled through "Angry Haki-mi's" mind.
He couldn't understand how someone's strength could have changed so much in just three days.
He yanked the sword out with all his might, leaped backward, pulled a small pill from his waist, and popped it straight into his mouth.
"Bang!"
A huge vortex of energy swirled around him, and his aura grew thirty percent stronger.
"I absolutely can't lose to him!"
His eyes held a fierce glint.
"Wait, you're doping in a game?"