"My name is Hong Hao. Since I am speaking to you in person, Senior, I will not beat around the bush. I came to Flowing Cloud Market Ward to purchase a superior-grade defensive magical artifact, to give myself a little more protection in case I am sent to the front lines."
"The ordinary magical artifacts downstairs really do not meet my needs. I wonder whether you have anything better, Senior."
Liu Yu gave a false name, his eyes beneath his lashes as calm as still water. Even before a cultivator of the Foundation Establishment Realm, he explained his purpose in a tone neither servile nor arrogant.
Du Jingshan raised an eyebrow. He had not expected this youngster to aim so high, asking for a superior-grade defensive magical artifact right off the bat. He recalled that no lineage in the Primordial Yang Sect bore the surname Hong. Could this be the personal disciple of some powerful figure in the sect? He speculated inwardly.
"My surname is Du. Young friend Hong, you truly are no ordinary man. Very well. Since the wares on the first floor do not catch your eye, I will stop keeping things under wraps."
As soon as he finished speaking, he swept his sleeve and took three wooden boxes from his Storage Bag, setting them on the table before opening them one by one.
The three wooden boxes held a small black shield, a small bowl patterned with violet markings, and seven oddly shaped blades, one large and six small. The spiritual pressure from the blades was particularly astonishing, far surpassing that of the other two items.
Du Jingshan began his introduction with the small black shield:
"This is the Black Iron Shield, a superior-grade magical artifact. Our shop's resident Artifact Refiner heated it in earthfire for nine days and nine nights to remove its impurities, then incorporated a small lump of iron essence. Its body is exceptionally hard, and it can withstand full-force attacks from magical artifacts of the same grade without any trouble. Even a top-grade magical artifact could not hope to break through it in a short time. This shield was completed only a few days ago and has yet to be imbued with any cultivator's magical power. Once you acquire it, you can unleash its full might immediately after placing your divine sense imprint on it, without spending time nurturing it with magical power. The price is five hundred and fifty spirit stones."
He paused, unable to discern anything from Liu Yu's expression, then continued, "This bowl is called the Violet Light Bowl. Our shop purchased it at a high price. Once activated, it floats above your head and releases a cone-shaped barrier of light to protect you. The barrier is most effective against spells and talismans, though its defense against magical artifacts is somewhat weaker. It, too, is a rare superior-grade defensive magical artifact. The price is five hundred spirit stones."
"The Mother-and-Son Soul-Chasing Blades are a set of top-grade offensive magical artifacts. A master Artifact Refiner poured his heart's blood into their creation, forging them in earthfire for ten days and ten nights using his own secret technique. They are inscribed with two formations, one for penetration and one for attack. More valuable still, this artifact set places relatively little strain on your divine sense. You need only refine the mother blade to control all six son blades and attack with great flexibility. Each son blade is only slightly weaker than an ordinary superior-grade magical artifact. Together, the six possess the might of a top-grade magical artifact. If all seven are combined, their power exceeds that of an ordinary top-grade magical artifact."
"However, top-grade magical artifacts are rare, and a complete set is rarer still. Thus, we do not accept spirit stones for them. If you want them, young friend, you will have to exchange something equally rare."
Du Jingshan spoke at an unhurried pace, introducing all three magical artifacts in one stretch. Then he poured himself a cup of spirit tea and watched Liu Yu's reaction.
Liu Yu's pupils contracted, and excitement stirred within him.
Of the defensive magical artifacts, the Black Iron Shield had caught his eye at once. First, he was more accustomed to shield-type magical artifacts. Second, although shields served only one purpose, that focus on defense made them somewhat stronger defensively than other artifacts of the same grade. But the item he desired most was still the Mother-and-Son Soul-Chasing Blades. The sight of this top-grade magical artifact truly set his heart surging.
If he had the Mother-and-Son Soul-Chasing Blades, even though a Qi Refining Period cultivator could unleash only a fraction of a top-grade magical artifact's power, he could still sweep through almost anyone at his level. Ordinary Qi Refining Period cultivators would scarcely be able to resist.
Given his status, purchasing a defensive magical artifact posed no problem. But acquiring the Mother-and-Son Soul-Chasing Blades as well would be somewhat risky. Such wealth did not fit an ordinary Inner Disciple.
Liu Yu's face betrayed nothing as he weighed the advantages and disadvantages in his mind.
Neither man spoke, and silence settled over the room.
Fortune and disaster were impossible to predict on this journey to the Qing Province border. He would have to guard not only against enemy cultivators, but also against his own people and ill-intentioned rogue cultivators. With his current strength, Liu Yu had nothing to fear from ordinary cultivators. But against elite disciples of the Rival Sect or outstanding rogue cultivators, he still fell somewhat short and could barely protect himself.
At the border, the enemy would not care who he was, and the Primordial Yang Sect's name would be of no use. Even if he died, he would be just another Inner Disciple. The sect might not care, and his death would stir few ripples. Nor did Liu Yu have anyone particularly close to him in the sect. Perhaps only those who knew him fairly well would let out a sigh!
Only his own strength was the foundation, the one thing he could rely on. Only that could withstand the cold winds blowing from every direction and carry him farther along this lonely road to immortality.
Buying the Mother-and-Son Soul-Chasing Blades carried risks of its own, but he was certain that this man surnamed Du would not dare make a move openly within the Primordial Yang Sect.
Having made his decision, Liu Yu hesitated no longer. He took five hundred and fifty spirit stones from his Storage Bag, placed them on the table, and put the Black Iron Shield into his bag.
Estimating the price of the Mother-and-Son Soul-Chasing Blades, Liu Yu decided, out of caution, to offer just one spirit herb in exchange this time, making up the difference with spirit stones. Even paying a few extra spirit stones would not matter. If that truly would not work, he could only steel himself and give them up.
Liu Yu took an exquisite jade box from his Storage Bag and placed it on the table. Gently opening it, he said, "Please have a look, Senior Du. How about exchanging this spirit herb, which I obtained by chance, for the Mother-and-Son Soul-Chasing Blades?"
Inside the jade box lay a rare, two-hundred-year-old spirit herb.
Du Jingshan set down his teacup, his expression shifting as he picked up the jade box and examined it carefully. In the end, he confirmed that it was indeed a two-hundred-year-old spirit herb. Moreover, its roots, stem, and leaves were undamaged and brimming with spiritual energy, showing that its medicinal potency had been preserved exceptionally well.
After confirming this, he put down the jade box, stroked his beard, and said tentatively, "Young friend Hong, this spirit herb is certainly genuine, but its value still falls short of the Mother-and-Son Soul-Chasing Blades. Besides, with the situation in the Chu Kingdom's cultivation world so tense, it is perfectly normal for magical artifact prices to rise by another ten or twenty percent. If you can produce another spirit herb like this, that should be about enough."
At those words, a faint, bitter smile appeared on Liu Yu's face.
"I obtained this rare spirit herb by chance. I have only this one-where would I find another? How about this? I am willing to make up the difference with spirit stones. If that really will not do, then I can only give up."
Du Jingshan pondered briefly. Since the youngster was willing to give up even a top-grade magical artifact, it seemed he truly had only this one spirit herb. Estimating the respective values of the artifact and the herb, he considered for a moment before quoting a price slightly higher than usual:
"Since this spirit herb is equally rare, very well. Add another five hundred spirit stones, young friend, and you may take the Mother-and-Son Soul-Chasing Blades."
Liu Yu put on a reluctant expression at those words. Finally, he gritted his teeth and, with apparent difficulty, took five hundred spirit stones from his Storage Bag and handed them over. He swiftly put the Mother-and-Son Soul-Chasing Blades into his bag before saying:
"Thank you for accommodating me, Senior Du."
Although he had some doubts about the price, he did not show them. With the Immortal Mansion's help, a few spirit stones no longer mattered to him.
"To become an Inner Disciple of the Primordial Yang Sect at such a young age, and to spend so generously—your future truly knows no bounds!"
Du Jingshan clapped Liu Yu on the shoulder and spoke heartily, wearing an admiring expression. Yet a trace of greed flashed deep in his eyes.
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