Chapter 62: Target Equipment

After Mu Renjie's rise, fortune turned, and from the weakest Foundation Establishment family that was about to be expelled, the Mu family swallowed the other two major Foundation Establishment families in one stroke, becoming the undisputed colossus of Nanshan Fang.

If it were not for sects like Luoxia Sect, Baihua Valley and others mediating, moving them with sentiment and enlightening them with reason.

The Cao family, which owned two major Foundation Establishment families, even if Mu Renjie does not annihilate them, will probably not hold out and will end up a disgraceful flight, departing from Nanshan Fang!

Comparable to the combat power of late‑stage Foundation Establishment, in the past hundred years Nanshan Fang has never seen a native cultivator with such high combat power.

Although many people secretly have complaints about the Mu family and cannot stand Mu Renjie's overbearing behavior, no one dares to step forward.

And moreover.

It must be admitted that, facing the current unsettled external situation with frequent Demon Sect Evil Cultivator activity, the emergence of a late‑stage Foundation Establishment cultivator like Mu Renjie in Nanshan Fang can greatly increase its sense of security.

With him stationed, unless the Demon Sect launches a massive invasion of Da Yu Cultivation World, scattered Evil Cultivators would never dare to target Nanshan Fang.

So lately Nanshan Fang has seemingly quickly restored peace and stability; property prices, which have risen for several years, have even begun a new round of increase.

The Mu family has two elders who made the closing appearance at the exchange meeting, flaunting their airs, and no one dared to say anything.

The world is just like that.

When the Mu family fell into trouble two years ago, their outside clan members were brutally encircled and killed by a mysterious force, while industries within the market were steadily pressured by the Cao family and the already extinct Xu family; the Mu family elders dared not attend the exchange meeting.

In everyday encounters, they also endured plenty of cold ridicule.

Now fortune has turned, they have risen forcefully, and their arrogant swagger is, of course, justified.

The front seats of the exchange meeting have all been taken; only the back still has space.

But after the two Mu family elders arrived, they surveyed the room, loudly strode to the front, prompting two less confident cultivators to hurriedly stand up and offer their seats, with apologetic smiles, appearing willingly.

The seats they took were not far from Xiao Zhangqing.

Among them, an elder of the Mu family whose hair and beard had already turned gray deliberately glanced at Xiao Zhangqing and, with a half‑smile, said, "Symbol Master Xiao, you're here too?"

Xiao Zhangqing was momentarily at a loss for how to respond.

Because the other party knew him, but he did not know the other.

Back when he was recruited by Mu family's eldest daughter Mu Chunfeng, he had visited the Mu family ancestral residence once, but never saw the senior members, only dealing with Mu Chunfeng.

"Symbol Master Xiao, you still don't know him, do you? This is the Mu family's Grand Elder; among us in Nanshan Fang below the Foundation Establishment Realm, he ranks among the top in duel techniques, and his strength is extremely formidable…"

Zhu Youlong, seeing this, again took on the role of intermediary introducer.

"That's nothing, only that the old fool is a few years older, with a bit more duel experience, not worth mentioning." The Mu family Grand Elder waved his hand, and added, "Symbol Master Xiao, after the exchange meeting ends, could you kindly accompany me? I have a niece, about the same age as you, with an excellent appearance, and after hearing your story she is very admiring and has long wanted to get to know you."

Xiao Zhangqing was stunned.

This Mu family Grand Elder—what does he mean? Is he trying to be friendly, forgetting the time the Mu family forcibly reclaimed his cave without mercy? Wanting to make amends?

Putting aside whether Xiao Zhangqing would agree.

The crux is that this attitude is far too arrogant.

It does not seem to seek forgiveness, but rather a condescending command.

It seems, in his view, that if Xiao Zhangqing were to marry his niece, it would be a favor to Xiao Zhangqing, a kind of honor.

Even treating him as the Basic Talisman Master who had just been regularized at Lingfu Pavilion back then?

"Sorry. Before Grand Elder Mu arrived, I had already made arrangements with other Dao Companions for after the exchange meeting."

Xiao Zhangqing naturally expressed his gratitude clumsily. The Mu family Grand Elder slightly frowned, then pretended to be nonchalant: "No problem, we can do it in a few days. Actually I was planning to send someone in a couple of days to invite Symbol Master Xiao to the Mu family for a chat."

In a few days I'll also find a reason to decline.

Xiao Zhangqing thought to himself,

He doesn't think the Mu family owes him anything, so he didn't secretly rejoice when they were in trouble.

But now the Mu family has risen, he also has no need

and he strongly dislikes the Grand Elder's patronizing demeanor.

……

After the brief interlude, the exchange conference officially began.

Xiao Zhangqing refocused his thoughts, concentrating his attention on the treasures presented at the exchange, searching for equipment useful to him.

Ruan Qingzhu, as the host, set the tone by first presenting a defensive Magic Robe of first‑grade supreme quality. Besides featuring the attractive design of Baihua Valley, its practicality is excellent; even against attacks from Foundation Establishment Initial Stage cultivators it cannot fully block but can absorb a portion of the damage, greatly increasing safety for Qi Refining Realm cultivators who wear it.

Such supreme robes are not normally displayed for sale by Baibao Lou.

The top‑grade items of Baibao Lou reach at most first‑grade superior level in power.

Now Ruan Qingzhu brings out this trump card robe, and the items she seeks are extraordinary.

The item she needs most is a Foundation Establishment Pill! Of course, she does not expect to trade a genuine Foundation Establishment Pill merely for a first‑grade supreme robe; the two are on completely different scales.

Ruan Qingzhu's request is any key spirit medicine for forging a Foundation Establishment Pill, or even several ordinary spirit medicines for such pills.

In that case the values are roughly equal.

The Foundation Establishment spirit medicines are indeed extremely rare, and the cultivators attending the exchange are all in the Qi Refining Realm; for them, the foremost important event is the Foundation Establishment.

Even if they possess such spirit items, they are unwilling to trade them.

After a while of silence, Ruan Qingzhu sighed, lowered her demand, stating that if anyone has a first‑grade premium Longevity Pill or a first‑grade superior offensive Magic Treasure, and can add some Spirit Stones, she would be willing to trade.

Quickly, after a brief bidding, the first‑grade supreme robe was traded.

After the excitement kicked off, the exchange became lively, with various items appearing in succession.

Flying Sword, Flying Boat, defensive Magic Treasure, first‑grade superior puppet, second‑grade technique inheritance, Pill…

All kinds are present.

And all can be considered premium items.

Xiao Zhangqing wanted quite a lot, and amidst many gazes of surprise or mild mockery, he shamelessly reached out and handled many items.

Yet he acted very cautiously.

First, he possessed few Spirit Stones, and together with the Lin sisters' over four hundred low‑grade Spirit Stones, he had just over two thousand in total; second, he buys items mainly for their equipment effects, otherwise merely looking at the items themselves holds little meaning for him.

During the latter half of the exchange, Xiao Zhangqing's eyes finally lit up, his mood surged, and he fixed his gaze on a piece of equipment that was 'perfect' for him!

Legend has it that a magical artifact once sealed the soul of a third‑rank Jiaolong!

Of course, it is already broken and its spirit is gone! (End of chapter)