Chapter 52: Preparations Ahead (Seeking Follows, Newbie in First Round PK)

"I will personally settle this matter with Lingyu Gate."

"Brother Qin merely needs to ensure the Beast Tooth Rice is harvested on time."

"As for other matters, there’s no need to worry excessively."

Gu Qingzhao’s voice was clear as a spring, her words carrying an air of unquestionable authority.

Hearing her say this, Qin Ming felt reassured and let out a sigh of relief.

He hadn’t expected Gu Qingzhao to blame him at all—on the contrary, she seemed to have a solution.

After concluding his conversation with Gu Qingzhao.

Qin Ming did not rush back to Qingliang Xiaozhu.

Instead, he went downstairs to find Shopkeeper Liao.

"I wish to purchase a magic treasure—do you have any recommendations, Shopkeeper?"

Hearing this, Shopkeeper Liao’s eyes lit up; he beamed and said warmly, "Brother Qin, what type of magic treasure do you need? We have them all."

"Hmm, an offensive-type magic treasure—preferably one suited for Body Refinement cultivators," Qin Ming said after a moment’s thought.

Shopkeeper Liao paused in surprise but asked no further questions.

He immediately smiled and said, "Brother Qin, please follow me to the fifth floor’s Armory Hall."

Fifth floor of Juxuan Pavilion.

The entire floor was dedicated to selling or buying various magic treasures.

As soon as Shopkeeper Liao and Qin Ming stepped onto the floor, the clerks rushed forward to greet them, guiding Qin Ming along the dazzling display counters with detailed explanations.

"Mid-grade magic treasure, Frost Frost Sword—its slash is razor-sharp, infused with a chilling ice attack, priced at three hundred and fifty spirit stones."

"Mid-grade magic treasure, Green Steel Blade—forged from century-old cold iron by Liehuo Forge, priced at four hundred spirit stones."

"Mid-grade magic treasure, Flame Hammer."

After touring the displays, Qin Ming interrupted, "Do you have any high-grade magic treasures?"

Upon hearing this, Shopkeeper Liao’s face flushed red; his spirits lifted instantly, and he barked orders to his staff.

"Did you hear that? Bring out the best stock—no delays!"

Moments later.

Three exquisitely packaged long wooden boxes were placed before Qin Ming.

Shopkeeper Liao opened one; inside lay a jet-black long spear.

"High-grade magic treasure, Dragon Spine Spear—the spearhead and shaft are forged as one, crafted from Firecloud Gold Crystal, releasing flame attacks upon thrust, with exceptional armor-piercing capability."

"Price: nine hundred spirit stones."

Shopkeeper Liao spoke smoothly, watching Qin Ming’s reaction with some uncertainty.

"Continue," Qin Ming nodded.

"Next, this is the High-grade magic treasure, Panshidajian —forged from extraterrestrial meteorite iron, extremely resilient, weighing a thousand jin, priced at one thousand spirit stones."

Qin Ming stared at the colossal sword—twice the size of Yang Guo’s—and whistled in amazement.

"Lastly, this one—"

Shopkeeper Liao opened the long wooden box, revealing a black longblade before Qin Ming’s eyes.

"High-grade magic treasure, Black Wind Blade—forged from wind-element materials sourced from the Yin-Sha lands."

"However—" Shopkeeper Liao suddenly halted mid-sentence.

Qin Ming frowned. "What is it?"

"To wield this blade, the cultivator must possess exceptionally robust blood qi—otherwise, it is nearly impossible to control," Shopkeeper Liao explained with a nervous smile. "If your constitution is even slightly weak, you risk being devoured by the demonic aura."

Qin Ming reached out and picked up the Black Wind Blade; instantly, a tyrannical demonic aura surged up his arm.

He exerted just a slight force, directing his internal blood qi along his arm.

The blade’s once-fierce demonic aura, as if encountering its nemesis, recoiled swiftly.

It became docile at once.

Shopkeeper Liao’s smile froze; he stared, dumbfounded.

"How much for this Black Wind Blade?"

"Th-this—I didn’t realize Brother Qin was a Body Refinement cultivator! Others might pay more, but for you, one thousand two hundred spirit stones." Shopkeeper Liao replied quickly. Qin Ming’s lips twitched slightly.

What is called precise salesmanship? His spirit stone pouch held precisely one thousand three hundred spirit stones.

"Can you lower the price?" Qin Ming asked directly.

Shopkeeper Liao chuckled awkwardly. "Brother Qin, you know our pavilion never cheats young or old—this one thousand two hundred is already our lowest price."

"How about this—I’ll personally arrange to gift you the *Burnt Blood Blade Art*—perfectly matched to this blade, worth a hundred spirit stones."

"And as a regular customer, you receive a twenty percent discount, saving you even more spirit stones," Shopkeeper Liao pleaded earnestly.

"Deal."

Qin Ming gritted his teeth—he had angered Jiang Kun’s group and urgently needed a reliable magic treasure.

He had no choice but to pay dearly.

As for the spoils from killing the five cultivators who attacked him last time—they were all low-grade treasures, useless to him now, and he’d have to dispose of them eventually.

But selling them here was out of the question.

"Brother Qin, your total is one thousand and eighty spirit stones," Shopkeeper Liao said, beaming—he’d just closed another big deal.

Qin Ming swiftly counted out the spirit stones and handed them over.

He took the Black Wind Blade from Shopkeeper Liao and stowed it in his storage pouch.

Transaction complete.

"Brother Qin, let’s go downstairs for tea!" Shopkeeper Liao invited politely.

Qin Ming shook his head. "No, I have urgent matters to attend to."

"In that case, let me see you out."

The two descended to the first-floor lobby.

Inside the tavern.

"Shopkeeper!"

"Do you buy beast corpses?"

"Five or six mid-stage first-rank ones."

"He～tui～"

Just as Qin Ming was about to leave, two cultivators stormed in, shouting loudly.

The speaker was a bald middle-aged cultivator who, after speaking, casually spat a thick glob of phlegm onto the floor.

The cultivators dining inside turned to stare.

Though repulsed, none dared speak up.

After all,

to hunt five or six mid-stage beasts at once was no feat of ordinary cultivators.

Both wore leather magic robes, dusty and worn—clearly seasoned beast hunters who roamed the wilds.

"Of course we buy! Gentlemen, please come in!" Shopkeeper Liao, just stepping down, saw another opportunity and nearly couldn’t close his mouth.

"Brother Qin, I’ve got business—let me not see you off. Come back soon, and I’ll treat you to a fine feast."

Qin Ming nodded. "No need, Shopkeeper, attend to your business."

With that, he stepped out of Juxuan Pavilion.

Back at Qingliang Xiaozhu.

Qin Ming eagerly pulled out the Black Wind Blade and began wielding it.

Where the blade passed, a terrifying demonic aura howled.

"No wonder it’s a high-grade treasure—what a fine blade!" Qin Ming caressed the blade lovingly.

He then opened the *Burnt Blood Blade Art* and studied it—the technique required robust blood qi to practice, and consisted of seven forms.

Upon mastery, even the first form could unleash ninety-nine strikes in an instant—each blade slash igniting blood qi to form devastating flame blades.

An essential skill for travelers! (End of Chapter)