Chapter 127: Two New Pieces of Equipment!

"Shopkeeper, how much is this talisman pen?"

Duobao Pavilion is a high‑end magic‑treasure shop; the items displayed for sale here start at Second‑rank Low‑grade.

Inside the shop, there are even a few magic treasures that have reached the Third‑rank.

Xiao Zhangqing, led by Lin Ziyu, arrived at the shop and the first thing he set his eyes on was a Second‑rank talisman pen.

"Are you a Second‑rank Symbol Master?"

The shop's shopkeeper, who is also a Foundation Establishment cultivator, said with a smile, "There are several Second‑rank Symbol Masters in Character: Liyang Zhenren City, and I know them all, but you look unfamiliar—are you new to Character: Liyang Zhenren City?"

Xiao Zhangqing gave no answer, only asked lightly, "Why, do you need to check the provenance when someone buys something in your shop?"

The shopkeeper waved his hand quickly and apologized, "I overstepped. The provenance of this Second‑rank talisman pen is not simple; its former owner was once the number one in the Talisman Path of Character: Liyang Zhenren City, with his talisman technique reaching the Third‑rank! After he passed away, his descendants were incompetent, squandered the family fortune, and only then sold this talisman pen to us, Duobao Pavilion."

"What I say is not false; Duobao Pavilion has some reputation in Character: Liyang Zhenren City, and if a customer has just arrived, we can look into it. Therefore, we price everything clearly and do not haggle."

"Although this talisman pen is only Second‑rank, because of its provenance its price is a bit higher—it requires 2,800 Low‑grade Spirit Stones."

"If the customer finds it too expensive, you can choose another… for example this talisman pen, also Second‑rank; in workmanship and material it is not much worse, but only requires 2,000 Low‑grade Spirit Stones."

This shopkeeper is fairly sincere; he can be considered a conscientious businessman.

Indeed, as he said, Duobao Pavilion may not be the largest or highest‑grade magic‑treasure shop in Character: Liyang Zhenren City, but it has a solid reputation; both its buying‑back and selling are highly trustworthy.

Xiao Zhangqing did not overthink; he decisively handed over 2,800 Low‑grade Spirit Stones and bought the talisman pen.

He did not choose the cheaper pen that was 800 less and had a higher cost performance ratio.

It is not that he trusts the shopkeeper of Duobao Pavilion, but that he trusts the system.

【Sky‑blue Talisman Pen】

【Second‑rank premium talisman pen; its material and forging craftsmanship are quite commendable. More remarkably, it was once the prized possession of a Third‑rank Symbol Master, holding extraordinary significance for him. Even after he became a Third‑rank Symbol Master, he often used this pen to draw talismans, producing many Third‑rank talisman scripts. Unfortunately, that Third‑rank Symbol Master was not a Nascent Soul cultivator, so he could not temper it with alchemical fire; otherwise the pen's quality could have been even higher.】

【Equipment Requirement: Second‑rank Low‑grade talisman technique】

【Equipment Effect: Talisman Path talent boost (green), Second‑rank Upper‑grade talisman technique】

Looking at the system's evaluation, Xiao Zhangqing knew the shopkeeper of Duobao Pavilion was not exaggerating.

This Sky‑blue Talisman Pen indeed belonged to a Third‑rank Symbol Master.

Moreover, unlike most Symbol Masters who switch to higher‑rank pens after their technique advances, this pen held special meaning for him; even after becoming a Third‑rank Symbol Master, he was reluctant to set it aside and continued to use it.

After Xiao Zhangqing obtained this pen, his talisman technique, which had stagnated for years, instantly rose two levels, promoting him from a Second‑rank Low‑grade Symbol Master to a Second‑rank Upper‑grade Symbol Master!

"Years of effort are no match to a one‑minute cheat."

"This feeling is truly… wonderful!"

Xiao Zhangqing felt a silent sigh in his heart.

This is the benefit of coming to Character: Liyang Zhenren City.

If in the remote Nanshan Fang, Foundation Establishment cultivators are as rare as phoenix feathers, where could one find the remnants of a Third‑rank Symbol Master?

The reason Xiao Zhangqing remains unmoved by the invitations from the City Lord's Residence and the Ten Great Families also lies here.

Even with the best resources the City Lord's Residence and the Ten Great Families can offer, can they compare to the system?

Why risk signing a thirty‑year servitude contract for a handful of resources, putting oneself in danger?

Upon arriving at Character: Liyang Zhenren City, although his cultivation cannot advance quickly, reaching the Nascent Soul stage still requires time.

But in the coming years, his strength, talent, foundation, and protective methods will increase rapidly.

"What does the green Talisman Path talent mean?"

"Symbol Master Lu Qiu's double‑winged tiger‑hair pen also grants a Talisman Path talent boost when equipped, but without a blue indicator. Does that mean this Sky‑blue Talisman Pen will give an even higher talent boost when equipped?"

Xiao Zhangqing was thoughtful.

But he has no time to study it further now.

Next, he still needs to thoroughly browse Duobao Pavilion and purchase several more treasures.

……

Xiao Zhangqing decisively handed over 2,800 Low‑grade Spirit Stones to buy a Second‑rank talisman pen with a 'not high' cost performance ratio, which made the shopkeeper's attitude a few degrees more enthusiastic.

Although the customers who can spend at Duobao Pavilion are basically Foundation Establishment cultivators, they are not lower‑class.

But even among those in the Foundation Establishment Realm, there are still distinctions of wealth and poverty.

Most cultivators in the early to mid stages of the Second‑rank are not particularly wealthy.

Character: Liyang Zhenren City offers many opportunities to earn Spirit Stones, and even more to spend them.

Moreover, they are needed to strengthen one's own power, making expenses even more substantial.

Therefore, a customer who can blink not once and spend nearly three thousand Low‑grade Spirit Stones without hesitation is rare for Duobao Pavilion.

Half an hour later.

Under the shopkeeper's enthusiastic introduction.

Xiao Zhangqing finally fixed his gaze, holding a 'xiao' he couldn't put down, repeatedly examining it.

【Jiu Qiu Flute】

【A soul‑path offensive magic treasure crafted from a short piece of Third‑rank premium spirit wood as its core; its quality is excellent. After being refined by a Nascent Soul cultivator into a personal magic treasure, its might became extraordinary. Though it now lacks spiritual resonance, it remains a fine soul‑path magic treasure.】

【Equipment Requirement: Soul Transformation outward projection reaching eighty zhang】

【Equipment Effect: Soul Transformation amplified 1.5×, Jiu Qiu Divine Insight Secret Technique】 Watching Xiao Zhangqing clutch the Jiu Qiu Flute without letting go, the shopkeeper's eyes lit up and began to introduce: "This Jiu Qiu Flute is the personal magic treasure of the Real Person Jiu Qiu! Hundreds of years ago in the Da Yu cultivation world, Jiu Qiu Real Person was also a legendary figure. Like Character: Liyang Real Person, he was also a scattered cultivator by origin; although he was not the unrivaled top scattered cultivator of his era who built a massive immortal city like Character: Liyang Real Person, Jiu Qiu's cultivation also reached the mid‑stage of Nascent Soul."

"Jiu Qiu Real Person's greatest skill is using this Jiu Qiu Flute to perform soul‑path secret techniques! It is said that with his mighty Soul Transformation, Jiu Qiu Real Person manipulates the flute, making him almost invincible at the mid‑Nascent Soul level. Even Real Persons at the late Nascent Soul stage would feel a severe headache, unable to unleash their true power."

Xiao Zhangqing nodded after listening.

"Shopkeeper, tell me the price, and I'll see if I can accept it."

The shopkeeper rubbed his hands, coughed, and said, "You should know, any Third‑rank magic treasure won't be cheap. Especially this Jiu Qiu Flute, which was once the personal magic treasure of a mid‑Nascent Soul cultivator and possessed spiritual resonance, making it quite rare."

"One more thing: although Jiu Qiu Real Person passed away over three hundred years ago, this Jiu Qiu Flute was crafted from Fourth‑rank spirit wood, and has been preserved intact without any damage."

"However, comparatively the price is very reasonable—only 23,000 Low‑grade Spirit Stones."

A third‑tier Magic Treasure, also the destined treasure of a mid‑stage Foundation Establishment Real, this Nine Autumn Flute can be called one of the hidden‑treasure items in Duobao Pavilion.

But because it is a Soul Dao Magic Treasure and not of defensive nature! If it were like the 'Thousand Illusion Mask' in Xiao Zhangqing's hand—a third‑tier defensive treasure—then even twenty‑plus thousand Low‑grade Spirit Stones, or even thirty‑, even forty‑thousand Low‑grade Spirit Stones, would not make it this hard to sell.

Yet it is an offensive Soul Dao Magic Treasure, which a Foundation Establishment cultivator basically cannot use.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator's Divine Sense is too weak to trigger the true power of this Nine Autumn Flute; perhaps a Foundation Establishment cultivator might glance at it, but even if their Divine Sense is strong enough to activate a Magic Treasure, without a Divine Sense secret technique it is wasted.

Moreover, to bring the Nine Autumn Flute to its fullest power one must have the matching Divine Sense secret technique 'Nine Autumn Divine Insight Technique'; Duobao Pavilion naturally does not sell that technique.

The 'Nine Autumn Divine Insight Technique' that the Nine Autumn Real once wielded to awe the Cultivation World of Da Yu never passed down after his fall; it became a lost masterpiece, with only this Nine Autumn Flute surviving to the present.

For all the reasons above, this Nine Autumn Flute has been displayed in Duobao Pavilion for over twenty years yet never sold.

Even customers interested in it are extremely few.

It's about to become a mascot.

Today, after much effort, a customer interested in this Nine Autumn Flute appeared, and seemed ready to part with a generous amount of Spirit Stones; the shop owner perked up, silently resolved to sell the flute.

"A mid‑stage Foundation Establishment cultivator's destined treasure, preserved so well, twenty‑three thousand Low‑grade Spirit Stones is indeed not expensive…" Xiao Zhangqing did not outright reject, but first nodded in agreement.

The shopkeeper's eyes lit up at the words, unable to hide his delight, and with a grin said, "Is that so? Our Duobao Pavilion has never cheated customers or arbitrarily set prices. Because we have been established in Character: Liyang Zhenren City for nearly a hundred years, standing firm and thriving thanks to fairness! We don't do one‑off trades; we conduct long‑term business. Only with fair prices that don't shortchange customers will they return and patronize us again."

"Shopkeeper, don't be hasty; I haven't finished, there's a but…" Xiao Zhangqing shifted tone, saying, "If this Nine Autumn Flute were a defensive Soul Dao Treasure of this quality, I'd gladly hand over twenty‑three thousand Low‑grade Spirit Stones without blinking. But yours is an offensive treasure!"

Shopkeeper: …

If it were a defensive Soul Dao Treasure, you'd expect to buy it for twenty‑three thousand Low‑grade Spirit Stones? That's a pipe dream! Doubling the price would be more reasonable! Xiao Zhangqing continued, "Moreover, it's an offensive Soul Dao Treasure, and you don't even have the matching Divine Sense secret technique! Even if I later hit a great fortune and successfully reach Foundation Establishment, with Divine Sense strong enough to fully activate the Nine Autumn Flute, without the corresponding technique its power will be diminished. Here's a proposal: if you have the Divine Sense secret technique that matches this Nine Autumn Flute, I can add a few thousand more Low‑grade Spirit Stones and buy them together…"

Xiao Zhangqing spoke while observing the other party's demeanor.

He could almost be certain in his mind that Duobao Pavilion does not have the 'Nine Autumn Divine Insight Technique'.

Because if they had it, the flute wouldn't be displayed alone for sale; it would surely be placed together with the matching technique.

Moreover, the shopkeeper just introduced so much yet never mentioned a matching secret technique; the implication is clear.

Of course…

If Xiao Zhangqing's guess were wrong and the other side actually produced the Divine Sense secret technique, Xiao Zhangqing could backtrack and claim he doesn't need it for now.

When buying, one cannot be overly sincere.

Sure enough, the shopkeeper, who had been enthusiastic and very warm, after hearing Xiao Zhangqing's 'but', looked rather plaintive and asked, "Dao Companion, what amount of Low‑grade Spirit Stones would you consider an acceptable price?"

Xiao Zhangqing replied calmly, "If I'm not mistaken, this Nine Autumn Flute has been on display in your shop for many years without selling, right? To be frank, I am indeed quite interested in it. But twenty‑three thousand Low‑grade Spirit Stones is truly too pricey. If you could give about a thirty‑percent discount, I could…"

Before Xiao Zhangqing could finish, the shop owner cut him off, saying, "A thirty‑percent discount is impossible! One‑price: twenty thousand Low‑grade Spirit Stones. If you're sincere, take it. If you still think it's too expensive, I'd rather not sell and keep the flute displayed for another ten or twenty years, quietly waiting for a destined buyer!"

Twenty‑three thousand Low‑grade Spirit Stones at a thirty‑percent discount leaves only about sixteen thousand.

He absolutely could not accept that.

Twenty thousand Low‑grade Spirit Stones is already his bottom line.

When he originally acquired this Nine Autumn Flute, he spent twenty‑one thousand five hundred Low‑grade Spirit Stones.

It has sat in his hands for so many years.

If people had kept asking, he wouldn't have made a loss‑making deal.

After Xiao Zhangqing's persistent haggling, the shopkeeper remained firm and would not budge.

Xiao Zhangqing could only reluctantly, as if 'reluctantly losing big', pull out twenty thousand Low‑grade Spirit Stones and purchase the Nine Autumn Flute.

One hand handed over the money, the other handed over the goods.

The shopkeeper, having received the Spirit Stones, let out a heavy sigh of relief.

Finally sold!

Although this deal was at a loss, it's far better than holding an unsold item forever.

From now on, if any similar offensive Soul Dao Magic Treasure appears, he'll never buy it, even if beaten to death!

While sighing in relief, the shop owner glanced at the pained‑looking Xiao Zhangqing and felt a bit embarrassed.

After all, in his eyes Xiao Zhangqing is a total 'sucker'; a Foundation Establishment cultivator buying a third‑tier Soul Dao offensive treasure will most likely use it as a decoration or a musical instrument to play, and it's unlikely to have any truly practical use.

He can't possibly use it to duel opponents, right?

As he said, even if there's a one‑in‑ten‑thousand chance of successful Foundation Establishment, without the Nine Autumn Divine Insight Technique, this Nine Autumn Flute's usefulness remains severely limited.

Thus the shop owner believes Xiao Zhangqing's twenty thousand Low‑grade Spirit Stones went down the drain, equivalent to taking a 'thunder' for him.

Feeling guilty, the shop owner decided to offer compensation.

(End of Chapter)