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The shopkeeper's voice carried a hint of solemnity. "Once activated, this talisman can instantly unleash a thunderbolt comparable in power to a casual strike from a Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivator. It is incomparably swift and specializes in breaking protective spiritual light and destroying evil entities and yin spirits."

"At a critical moment, it can be used to fight for your life, or to hold off an enemy while you escape."

"A life-saving item does not come cheap. One hundred and eighty spirit stones." He deliberately stressed "Foundation Establishment early stage" and "fight for your life," emphasizing its value as a trump card.

Lu Zhao watched the lightning patterns roaming across the talisman, his heart pounding.

A second-tier talisman!

This was the highest-level means of attack he currently had access to. Its power was undoubtedly terrifying, but the price also made him suck in a cold breath.

The shopkeeper then opened the second, slightly larger, oblong brocade box. Inside lay a palm-sized, tortoise-shell-shaped shield, its entire surface a deep, mysterious blue.

Neither metal nor jade, the shield was cool and smooth to the touch, as though carved from profound ice from the ocean depths. Layers of fine, arcane tortoise-shell patterns had formed naturally across its surface. Faint blue watery light flowed indistinctly between them, giving off dense, resilient fluctuations of water spiritual power.

"A first-tier middle-grade defensive magical artifact, the Mystic Water Tortoise-Shell Shield," the shopkeeper introduced.

"This shield was crafted primarily from fragments of the back shell of a hundred-year-old deep-sea mystic tortoise, supplemented with water spiritual materials. Its defensive strength ranks among the very best of magical artifacts of its grade."

"It is particularly effective against water and ice spell attacks, and also offers considerable resistance to physical impacts and the corrosive effects of poisonous miasma. Once activated, it protects your entire body, with moderate spiritual power consumption. The price is one hundred and five spirit stones."

He particularly emphasized "the very best" and "water spirit runes," pointing out how well it suited Lu Zhao's cultivation method.

Lu Zhao's gaze was firmly drawn to the little shield. Its deep blue color and natural tortoise-shell patterns gave an impression of exceptional solidity and reliability.

A water-attribute defensive magical artifact was exactly what he urgently needed. Though expensive, it seemed more "practical" than the second-tier talisman.

Finally, the shopkeeper opened the largest brocade box. Inside was a short spike roughly a foot long, its entire length crystalline as ice, yet bearing the faint luster of green jade.

The spike's contours were fluid and sharp. A point of cold light gathered at its tip without dispersing, while ice-blue liquid seemed to flow slowly within its body, radiating bone-piercing cold and an incomparably fierce piercing force.

Merely drawing close made Lu Zhao feel a faint prickling against his skin.

"A first-tier middle-grade offensive magical artifact, the Cold Chi Serpent Spike." A trace of admiration entered the shopkeeper's voice. "Its primary material is the venomous fang of a first-tier superior-grade demonic beast, the Cold Pool Chi Serpent. Refined cold iron essence was incorporated into it, and a master artifact refiner painstakingly tempered it.

"Incomparably sharp, it possesses an innate power of extreme-cold penetration. It can easily pierce protective spiritual light of the same tier and ordinary armor. Once it enters an enemy's body, its cold erupts, further slowing their movements."

"In the hands of a water or ice cultivator, its power increases another thirty percent. A masterpiece among masterpieces, priced at one hundred and twenty spirit stones."

He singled out such key phrases as "venomous fang," "refined cold iron essence," "tempered by a master," "extreme-cold penetration," and "slowing movements," describing its offensive characteristics to the fullest.

Of the three items, the talisman possessed heaven-shaking power but was a single-use consumable; the tortoise-shell shield offered solid defense and a compatible attribute; the Cold Chi Serpent Spike delivered fierce attacks with an innate special effect.

Each was a fine piece, and each commanded a steep price.

Lu Zhao's gaze lingered repeatedly over the three as he rapidly weighed their value for money, his own needs, and... the threat faintly drawing near.

The spirit stones he had saved flashed through his mind. The steady income from the Flowing Cloud Sparrows gave him some confidence. Still, spending nearly two hundred or even three hundred spirit stones in one go would cut deep into his reserves.

The Small Thunderclap Talisman had the greatest power, a trump card that could turn the tables in a desperate situation. But once used, it would be gone, one hundred and eighty spirit stones vanishing in an instant.

The Cold Chi Serpent Spike had formidable offensive power and a compatible attribute, but he was not without alternatives for an offensive magical artifact, and its price was higher than the defensive artifact's.

The Mystic Water Tortoise-Shell Shield... defense! My weakest link right now!

The Ink-Scaled Snakes in Green Vine Ravine, the bandit cultivators outside the Market District, the prying eyes that might come from Northern Plains Commandery... solid defenses meant a greater chance of survival!

Moreover, it was a magical artifact and could be used repeatedly. Its attribute perfectly matched the Little Spirit Rain Art, making it easier to activate.

"Shopkeeper."

Lu Zhao took a deep breath and made his decision, pointing to the little deep-blue tortoise-shell shield and the pale-purple talisman. "I'll take the Mystic Water Tortoise-Shell Shield and the Small Thunderclap Talisman."

He paused briefly, his tone tentative and earnest. "But as for the price... shopkeeper, I've been a regular customer of the Nine Abyss Pavilion for some time now. Two hundred and eighty-five spirit stones for these two items is really... could you lower it a little? How about two hundred and seventy?"

As the shopkeeper looked at Lu Zhao's final choice, an almost imperceptible trace of approval flashed through his eyes.

Defense to preserve his life came first, with an offensive trump card as a supplement. This young man had a clear head and knew what mattered most.

He stroked his beard, pretending to ponder. Only after a moment did he slowly nod. "Very well. Since you know quality when you see it and are so decisive, two hundred and seventy spirit stones. It's a deal.

"However, Fellow Daoist Lu," he shifted the subject, his tone laden with meaning, "this Small Thunderclap Talisman is a rarity in Changfeng Commandery. Even with the money, you cannot find one for sale."

"I am letting you have it today on account of our cooperation and the potential of your puppet-making skills. I hope you... use it well."

Lu Zhao's heart jolted. There was a pointed meaning behind the shopkeeper's words! He immediately cupped his fist solemnly. "I will remember your great kindness, shopkeeper! I will not disappoint you!"

Without further hesitation, he swiftly counted out two hundred and seventy spirit stones and carefully put away the Mystic Water Tortoise-Shell Shield and the Small Thunderclap Talisman. For the moment, he set aside his desire for the Cold Chi Serpent Spike with its biting chill.

With the transaction complete, Lu Zhao thanked him again, turned, and left the Nine Abyss Pavilion. His steps were steadier than when he had arrived, but there was also a little more vigilance about him, difficult to detect.

He needed to familiarize himself with his new protective items as soon as possible.

Watching Lu Zhao disappear into the crowds of the Market District, the shopkeeper's smile gradually faded, and his usual composure returned.

At that moment, a middle-aged cultivator who looked like a steward stepped forward from the shadowed corner where he had been attending all along. He was Zhou An, the shopkeeper's trusted aide, and his face showed clear incomprehension and a trace of pain at the expense.

"Uncle Kang."

Zhou An lowered his voice, his tone reproachful. "That Small Thunderclap Talisman was a fine piece personally drawn by the Third Elder, who is in the Foundation Establishment realm!

"And that Mystic Water Tortoise-Shell Shield was one of the finest water defensive magical artifacts held in reserve in the storeroom. One hundred and five spirit stones was already low enough. Why did you knock off another fifteen?

"That boy is only a first-tier lower-grade Puppet Master. Is he worth spending so much to win over? You even went out of your way to point out how precious the talisman was..."

The shopkeeper did not answer immediately. He slowly settled back into his grand armchair, his thin, withered fingers lightly brushing an unassuming green jade thumb ring on his left hand. His deep gaze rested on the direction in which Lu Zhao had vanished.

Only after a long while did he speak quietly, his voice low, as though talking to himself, yet also answering Zhou An. "What do you know?"

He paused, a sharp gleam flashing through his eyes before vanishing. "Flying puppets... their importance to the lineage, especially the lineage as it stands now, is far beyond anything a few spirit stones can measure.

"The Cloud-Pattern Cavalry's losses and Ping Yuan's recovery from his injuries both urgently require reliable eyes in the sky.

"In all of Changfeng Commandery, aside from this boy, can you find a second person who can consistently craft ranked flying puppets?"

At these words, Zhou An's expression changed slightly. Seemingly having thought of something, he dared not say more.

Zhou Zheng picked up the spiritual tea beside him, took a light sip, and continued, "That talisman-did you think giving it to him was my decision to make?

"The Third Elder personally gave instructions for it to be placed in Lu Zhao's hands in an 'appropriate' manner, as a 'safeguard.'

"The magical artifact was also at the elder's direction. We were to choose a fine piece from the storeroom that suited him, and the price... merely had to be 'suitable.'"

He set down his teacup and gave an almost inaudible sigh. "The lineage is giving him a protective charm, and also adding insurance for its future 'eyes.'

"This Lu Zhao... has genuine ability, and he is cautious enough.

"As long as he can stay alive and keep crafting Flowing Cloud Sparrows, the lineage can earn back this little investment tenfold, a hundredfold. Now, it all depends on the boy's own fortune."