Short of Money, the Courage of a Hundred Weapons

Jinling City, Martial Arts Trading Market.

This is the most diverse and chaotic place in the entire city, but also the place brimming with the most opportunities.

The prerequisite is that you have enough Federal Credits.

Dongfang Yueming shuttled among the bustling crowds, looking at the dazzling shops and stalls on both sides, and couldn't help feeling a little emotional.

Even a hero can be brought down by a penny.

He touched the phone in his pocket; the meager balance of 30,000 yuan seemed so pitiful compared to the Martial Dao resources that cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of yuan.

He walked into a large martial arts shop called "Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion".

"Boss, what's the price for the Yellow Grade Basic Blood Nourishing Method?"

The owner behind the counter was a lean, middle-aged man. He sized up Dongfang Yueming and expertly quoted the price:

"The ' Rising Sun ' and ' Pale Moon ' are common titles, 1,500 each. If you want other niche attributes or more powerful ones, the starting price is 5,000, with no upper limit."

Five thousand...

Dongfang Yueming frowned slightly.

If he were to buy six different Yellow Grade cultivation techniques, it would cost at least 30,000 yuan. That would completely wipe out his savings.

But...

"Without weapons, tomorrow's wilderness survival will be like being missing an arm."

He knew the importance of a suitable weapon in actual combat. Especially now that he had mastered the Perfection level of swordsmanship, its power would be greatly reduced without a suitable vessel.

He turned to look at the weapons section on the other side of the shop.

"How much does an E-grade alloy battle knife, the most basic standard model, cost?"

"A standard one would cost seven or eight thousand," the shopkeeper replied casually. "But if it's made by a famous designer or has special alloys mixed in, then it'll cost over ten thousand."

Dongfang Yueming quickly calculated in his mind.

[Not enough money.]

[To simultaneously purchase all six cultivation manuals to synthesize a Heaven Grade technique, and also buy a good sword, 30,000 yuan is simply not enough.]

[Since that's the case...]

A decisive glint flashed in his eyes.

[Then let's settle for second best and synthesize a Earth Grade cultivation technique as a temporary measure! We must use the money saved to buy a good sword!]

"Boss, give me two of the cheapest, unorthodox, Yellow Grade Blood Nourishing Method."

Dongfang Yueming immediately bid 10,000 Federal Credits.

The shopkeeper paused for a moment, then promptly took the money and handed over two jade slips. "The ' Spirit Snake Blood Nourishing Method ' and the ' Giant Bear Blood Nourishing Method,' a total of ten thousand, no bargaining."

Dongfang Yueming carefully put the jade slip away and turned to walk into the weapons section.

His gaze swept over the gleaming weapons, finally settling on a Tang sword with an ancient design and smooth lines.

The knife has a dark metallic sheen, an extremely thin blade, and exudes a subtle, bloodthirsty aura.

"How much is this knife?"

"Young man, you have a good eye!" The shopkeeper's eyes lit up, and he quickly introduced, "This is a top-grade E-class Tang sword made of high-density tungsten steel alloy. It can cut a hair in two and slice through iron like mud! One price, twelve thousand!"

Dongfang Yueming calmly countered, "Ten thousand."

"This..." the shopkeeper feigned difficulty, "Ten thousand is too much of a loss, it's more than the cost price..."

"I also want to buy a few auxiliary blood skills that conceal vital energy," Dongfang Yueming, throwing out his chips directly.

The boss stopped abruptly, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

Yellow Grade blood skill that conceals one's vital energy?

Such items have extremely limited use in actual combat; any martial artist with a little experience or Ferocious Beast with keen senses can easily see through them. Generally, only those rich kids who are guilty of thievery or have nothing better to do would buy them.

"Are you sure you want to buy that useless thing?" the shopkeeper asked tentatively. "That thing costs two thousand a copy if you buy it separately."

"Buy it." Dongfang Yueming's tone was resolute.

He calculated that he still had 20,000 yuan left. After buying the Tang sword, he would have 10,000 yuan left.

"If I buy five books for ten thousand..."

He looked at the boss.

The boss was a clever man; he instantly understood Dongfang Yueming's meaning and immediately put on a warm smile.

"Haha! Young man, you're definitely a straightforward guy!"

"Since you're so sincere, this Tang sword is yours for ten thousand yuan!"

"As for that blood technique that conceals vital energy, I'll give you a discount! 1500 a copy! How about that? Pretty generous, right?"

Dongfang Yueming was secretly delighted, but on the surface, he nodded calmly.

Thank you, boss.

He paid the money readily, picked up the Tang sword and six jade slips, and turned to leave the shop.

[Personal Account Balance: 1000 Federal Dollars.]

Looking at the pitiful four-digit number on her phone, Dongfang Yueming took a deep breath.

"The money is gone, but..."

He gripped the Tang sword tightly, feeling the cold texture of the hilt, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"My courage is sufficient!"

Watching Dongfang Yueming's figure disappear into the crowd, the shop owner's enthusiasm vanished instantly, replaced by an undisguised contempt.

"Two unorthodox Blood Nourishing Method, six lackluster blood-support skills..."

He shook his head, as if looking at a fool who didn't know his own mortality.

"Another madman with wild ideas, trying to create his own Profound Grade cultivation technique."

In this world of advanced martial arts, there are indeed some geniuses who can deduce more advanced techniques by fusing different lower-level skills. But that requires extremely profound Martial Dao foundation, guidance from a renowned master, and countless trials and errors.

A student who has to carefully budget even for buying an E-grade weapon dares to dream of getting involved in this field?

"Hmph, without the protection of elders, forcibly experimenting with qi and blood will at best destroy all meridians, and at worst cause the body to explode and die."

The boss sneered and picked up a rag to wipe the counter.

"Young people these days are getting more and more arrogant and ignorant."