Chapter 239: The Dragon Blood Couple and the Looted Skeleton Man

Good news: the Python Pattern Robe, Corpse-Jiao Jade Pearl, Flayed Dragon Soul Armor, and Punishment-Omen Dragon Eye are all True Spirit equipment.

The first two, though Fine-grade, can be upgraded to Excellent-grade.

The same applies to the latter two; the final True Spirit trait can even be upgraded to the next quality tier, and it boasts a total of fifteen True Spirit traits.

They are without doubt the top-tier equipment in Rank 1.

Too bad they require specific bloodline restrictions—no one knows if anyone can afford them.

Regardless, after confirming the True Spirit traits, Chu Danqing found a spot to set up a stall and bundled the Corpse-Jiao Transformation skillbook with the Corpse-Jiao Jade Pearl for sale together.

These two complement each other: several subsequent traits of the Corpse-Jiao Jade Pearl are tied to Corpse-Jiao Transformation.

After setting up his conditions, Chu Danqing resumed reading and reviewing his materials.

The market is large, but so is the area—even if someone is interested, it takes time for them to arrive.

After roughly three hours, someone finally arrived with what Chu Danqing needed.

It was a woman, crowned with a pair of antlers.

But upon closer inspection, it was clear these were not antlers—they were dragon horns.

One trait of Eastern dragons is horns resembling deer antlers.

This meant the woman possessed dragon bloodline, and her target was clearly the Flayed Dragon Soul Armor and Punishment-Omen Dragon Eye.

“Where did you get these items?” the apostle asked after checking the equipment’s stats, her expression far from pleased.

Chu Danqing sensed her emotional shift—she was angry.

He immediately understood why: she had recognized the origin of the Dragon Grudge.

“Found them in a chest,” Chu Danqing replied. He had no obligation to explain further.

If you don’t want them, someone else will.

“I’ll take them. Let’s trade,” she said, as if granting him a favor.

Chu Danqing was confused: “Wait, where’s the trade item? I haven’t even seen it yet.”

“Hah, do you really need me to tell you where these came from?” she sneered. “Anyone who sees these two items should be grateful you’re not being hunted down—yet you dare ask for payment?”

She had barely finished speaking when another voice interrupted.

“No money? Then don’t come here acting like a big shot.” The newcomer had dragon-like eyes and emitted a faint dragon aura: “Bro, this woman’s just here to mess with you.”

“I’m genuinely interested—look at this—”

Chu Danqing sized up the Dragon-Eye Man, then turned to study the Horned Woman.

Then he said flatly: “Is this some kind of act? Give me a real offer—I’m not refusing to sell.”

He wasn’t fooled—his Level 4 Mastery of Domination allowed him to see clearly: these two were staging a performance.

Especially the Horned Woman—her acting was good, but she never intended to steal; she merely built up resentment first, then let the Dragon-Eye Man step in to win favor and drive down the price.

Though they arrived one after the other, their “spousal harmony” wasn’t just facial—it was in their aura and unconscious gestures.

And they were both Rank 1—no one that foolish still existed among apostles.

Well, they still existed somewhere—Chu Danqing just hadn’t met them, given the Leyuan ’s high survival rate.

But these two were definitely not fools.

Hearing Chu Danqing’s words, neither changed expression.

“My terms: one Excellent-grade equipment synthesizer, and one Excellent-grade passive skill that grants shields to all summoned entities.”

“Plus one Fine-grade specific palanquin-type item fully upgraded to True Spirit, and one Fine-grade passive skill that boosts self-sacrificing summons.”

“If you have them, take the two items. If not, wait for the next buyer.”

“You can see the value of these two items—fifteen True Spirit traits.”

“Even among Excellent-grade gear, they’re top-tier True Spirit equipment, and the final trait upgrades quality.”

“So don’t play games with me—it’s pointless,” Chu Danqing said.

He had no time for their act—everyone’s time was precious.

“The only issue is the Excellent-grade passive skill you want—I only have an active skill,” the Dragon-Eye Man said awkwardly, showing Chu Danqing a skillbook.

Chu Danqing glanced at it—and felt tempted.

Though active, it functioned like Da Bao’s Tearing Claws: once activated, it consumed mana continuously to remain active.

Similar to a passive, but required mana.

Still, the effect was strong.

“Add a price difference,” Chu Danqing said.

Under equal conditions, an active skill naturally offered greater benefit than a passive—one came with a cost.

“Fine. I’ll add one Fine-grade self-sacrificing summon buff,” the Dragon-Eye Man replied, clearly prepared for Chu Danqing’s counteroffer.

He then displayed all the trade items.

Chu Danqing glanced at them once, then immediately confirmed the transaction.

【You sold: Flayed Dragon Soul Armor, Punishment-Omen Dragon Eye. Received: Equipment Synthesizer (Excellent-grade), Skillbook (Array Defense), Feihuang Cloud-Mane Palanquin, Skillbook (Sacrificial Bone Armor), Skillbook (Mortal Burst)】

The first two were Excellent-grade; the latter three were Fine-grade.

At first glance, they lost—they traded two Excellent and three Fine for Chu Danqing’s two Excellent.

But value isn’t measured by grade alone.

If quality alone determined equivalence, then even mediocre Excellent-grade materials could be traded for top-tier True Spirit equipment?

Others’ foolishness didn’t concern Chu Danqing—but if they wanted his gear, they either accepted his price or walked away.

The equipment synthesizer wasn’t rare, but Chu Danqing needed an Excellent-grade one, which was rare in Rank 1.

Just like Fine-grade synthesizers in Reserve-grade gear.

So it couldn’t match the value of an Excellent-grade True Spirit item—only a price difference could bridge it.

The transaction complete, the Horned Woman happily stored the Flayed Dragon Soul Armor in her inventory and, ignoring Chu Danqing entirely, walked with the Dragon-Eye Man toward the True Spirit Hall.

As for Chu Danqing’s feelings? Irrelevant.

Their act was solely to acquire the two items—now they had them. They’d likely never see Chu Danqing again—why care about his feelings?

Chu Danqing didn’t care either. Payment received, no loss—sufficient.

His goal was achieved. Now he considered whether to pack up and leave.

The Python Pattern Robe, Corpse-Jiao Jade Pearl, and Corpse-Jiao Transformation weren’t urgent—he could sell them slowly.

Just as he moved to pack, a hoarse voice called out.

“Don’t leave yet. These three items look good.” A man clad in skeletal armor picked up the Corpse-Jiao Jade Pearl: “One Excellent-grade self-sacrificing passive skillbook. One-for-three, and you pay the difference.”

Chu Danqing set the items down—he sensed something intriguing about the Skeletal Man.

Both undead and cybernetic.

“No money. No deal,” Chu Danqing said bluntly.

He knew Excellent-grade was better—but his resources were limited; he wouldn’t give it up.

The Skeletal Man smiled: “You can offer equipment.”

“Get lost,” Chu Danqing snapped.

“Either a low-threshold detection item, or the two skills I need.”

The items were his—whether to sell was his decision.

Seeing his resolve, the Skeletal Man stroked the Corpse-Jiao Jade Pearl and said: “One-for-three. No extra payment needed.”

Chu Danqing was startled—what was this man playing at?

He immediately grew wary: “I’m not selling.”

Nothing good falls from the sky.

Chu Danqing knew these three items—a Fine-grade passive and two pieces of gear—were valuable, but he didn’t believe they equaled an Excellent-grade passive skill.

“Hah, don’t worry. We can use a notary.”

“I only need your Corpse-Jiao Jade Pearl and Corpse-Jiao Transformation. The Python Pattern Robe is just extra,” the Skeletal Man said.

At this, Chu Danqing understood—the real prize was the robe. The other two were the extras.

It was a Prince’s Imperial Robe—not just equipment, but a symbol of authority.

Perhaps the man needed it for some ritual or operation.

Was it a shroud? He was undead and cybernetic—using a shroud made perfect sense.

“Fine,” Chu Danqing agreed. If he was willing to use a notary, Chu Danqing had nothing to fear.

Why he was willing to undervalue the trade? None of Chu Danqing’s concern.

The notary began. The transaction proceeded.

【You sold: Python Pattern Robe, Corpse-Jiao Jade Pearl, Corpse-Jiao Transformation. Received: Skillbook (Soul Ward）】

“You know, this” — the Skeletal Man, now holding the item, chuckled with mechanical tones, as if to say more.

But Chu Danqing ignored him entirely, packed up his stall, and walked away.

His find was his own luck.

To the Skeletal Man, Chu Danqing had lost. But to Chu Danqing, it was no loss at all.

Three Fine-grade items for one Excellent-grade? He clearly won.

What? Two items can be upgraded to Excellent-grade? Do you think that’s free?

If you counted that way, he couldn’t have sold a single item.

Seeing Chu Danqing leave, the Skeletal Man’s words died in his throat. A human-like look of resignation crossed his face.

Chu Danqing hurried back to his personal room, took out the Excellent-grade equipment synthesizer, and began synthesis.

As for self-harming summoning active skills that do not reduce combat power, the difficulty lies precisely in not reducing combat power.

After all, a drop in health almost invariably leads to a decline in bodily functions.

Then, limiting it further to the summoning school, such skills become even rarer.

It’s not that such skills don’t exist on the market—it’s that no one has demand for them.

(End of Chapter)