Chapter Twenty-Two: The Trading Market (Part Three)

Liu Junhuai resisted the urge to immediately retrieve the golden-colored little cauldron, maintaining a calm facade as he continued to wander leisurely through the marketplace.

As he walked on, he noticed a particularly large shop by the roadside, its signboard displaying the words “Shangbao Pavilion.” The place was bustling with people, clearly one of the most renowned businesses in the area. Still lacking a suitable technique, Liu Junhuai decided to enter in search, slipping inside the “Shangbao Pavilion.”

The establishment had three floors in total. Liu Junhuai carefully browsed the first two levels, where materials, elixirs, weapons, formulas, and cultivation methods were all on display. The highest-level cultivation techniques he found were only of the Profound grade.

Liu Junhuai thought to himself that he might as well ascend to the third floor, hoping to find more advanced techniques. He located the staircase leading upward and saw a cultivator in the early Foundation Establishment stage standing at the entrance. Without giving it much thought, Liu Junhuai made his way towards the stairs.

Nearby, a few late-stage Qi Refining cultivators selecting materials watched Liu Junhuai’s back with mocking expressions, as his aura revealed him to be only at the fourth level of Qi Refining. The Foundation Establishment cultivator at the stairway also wore a look of bewilderment.

Unaware, Liu Junhuai strode to the entrance and stepped onto the first stair. Suddenly, he felt a powerful force blocking his progress. Quickly, he activated the “Nine Transformations Heart Method,” and his true essence broke through the barrier. The pressure vanished, and his steps carried him smoothly up the stairs.

Those who had been waiting to see him make a fool of himself—the Foundation Establishment cultivator and the group of late-stage Qi Refining cultivators—were left in utter shock.

No sooner had Liu Junhuai stepped onto the third floor than an elderly man, looking every bit the steward and in the late Foundation Establishment stage, hurried over from behind.

“My apologies, young friend. The staff was negligent. May I ask what you seek?” The old man’s tone carried a hint of embarrassment.

“What’s the matter?” Liu Junhuai asked in surprise, only now noticing the crowd gathered below. “Are they watching me? Senior, am I not supposed to be here on the third floor?”

The old steward quickly waved his hand. “Not at all, not at all! Young friend, you are most welcome here, most welcome indeed!”

“Then why are they so curious?” Liu Junhuai seemed to grasp a bit of the situation.

He chuckled. “Young friend, it seems this is your first time visiting us. Only cultivators at Foundation Establishment and above may enter the third floor. I suppose they were curious how you, at the fourth level of Qi Refining, managed to breach the barrier.” The old man assumed Liu Junhuai was concealing his true cultivation, as techniques to hide one’s realm were priceless in the cultivation world, bestowed only upon core disciples of top sects.

Liu Junhuai was astonished—could he already have reached Foundation Establishment without realizing it? Unsure how to explain, he merely smiled.

Yet that smile only made those waiting below more mystified by Liu Junhuai’s inscrutable depth.

He turned to the old man. “I am searching for a more advanced cultivation method. I found nothing suitable below, so I came up to have a look.”

“No problem at all. Feel free to browse as you like. If nothing fits, let me know and we’ll work something out,” replied the steward.

“May I ask your name, Senior?” Liu Junhuai, sensing the old man’s goodwill, felt a warm affinity.

“You may call me Steward Wu. ‘Senior’ is far too much.”

“Very well, Steward Wu, I’ll look around first. If I need anything, I’ll come to you,” Liu Junhuai said with a smile.

Steward Wu nodded and went about his business, leaving Liu Junhuai to peruse the offerings of the third floor alone.

All the cultivation methods here were Earth grade. There were no Heaven grade techniques, which delighted Liu Junhuai. He no longer needed heart methods, and most of the techniques required magical treasures and spiritual energy to use. In his possession, he only had a Shadow Blade, its murderous aura subdued, making it suitable for the “Blade Escape Technique.” Ordinary blade techniques would not suit this weapon.

It seemed that finding the right technique was only half the solution; an appropriate weapon was also essential.

In the end, Liu Junhuai selected three cultivation methods and summoned Steward Wu for an explanation.

Steward Wu took the first method, “Heavenly Blaze Burning Heaven Art,” lifted its restriction, and said, “This is an Earth grade fire-type technique. It channels true essence within the body, using heart-fire through moves to unleash flames that burn bone and marrow, undying in wind and rain. Mastery can conjure a sea of fire spanning several miles. The price is ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones.”

He took up the second method, “Thunder Moves in All Directions,” and explained, “This is an Earth grade metal-type technique. It draws the metallic spiritual energy from lightning, to be wielded through palm or fist. At higher levels, it can incinerate enemies as if struck by heaven’s thunder, and cleave them as if by lightning. Ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones.”

He finally picked up the third, “Chaotic Five Elements Blade,” and said, “This method is somewhat unusual—it shouldn’t be marked as Earth grade. The technique contains only the first half. But don’t underestimate it—if mastered, its power can split heaven and earth. Records say no one has ever fully mastered even this half. Hundreds of years ago, a rogue cultivator from the Northern Territory learned seventy percent and, at mid Foundation Establishment, was able to slay someone at the peak of Foundation Establishment.

However, this method requires all five roots, what ordinary folk call ‘mixed five spiritual roots,’ to cultivate. Its stringent requirements mean no one has practiced it, and at least for the past century, no one has succeeded. I advise you not to consider this method. As for the price, only six thousand mid-grade spirit stones.”

Liu Junhuai’s heart stirred, but his expression remained unchanged. He asked, “I need the Heavenly Blaze Burning Heaven Art, and I have a use for the Chaotic Five Elements Blade as well. Steward Wu, can the price be negotiated? Besides, I’ll need weapons and elixirs, but those can wait.”

Steward Wu eyed Liu Junhuai curiously, wondering what use he could have for the Chaotic Five Elements Blade when he surely lacked the required roots.

After a moment’s thought, Steward Wu made his decision. “The Heavenly Blaze Burning Heaven Art is a rare method, and ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones is already fair. I lack the authority to discount it. However, the Chaotic Five Elements Blade can be negotiated. To be honest, this method has been gathering dust in our shop for years. Rather than letting it languish, it’s better to sell it to you, and let it finally see the light of day.

If you purchase other items from our shop, I’ll let you have it for three thousand mid-grade spirit stones. Is that agreeable?”

Liu Junhuai nodded. He took out a fist-sized piece of Extreme Cold Crystal from his storage pouch and asked, “Steward Wu, what do you make of this?”

Steward Wu’s eyes gleamed at first sight, and upon touching it, he stood up in shock, his voice trembling, “Is this Extreme Cold Crystal? How did you come by it? Where did you obtain it?” Three questions tumbled out, and in his agitation he forgot his previous courtesy.

Liu Junhuai replied, “My master found it in an ancient ruin. Forgive me, but I cannot disclose my sect for certain reasons. I have enough spirit stones, but tomorrow I have other uses for them. If your shop requires it, can it be exchanged for spirit stones?”

Steward Wu stared at Liu Junhuai nervously. “Extreme Cold Crystal is a divine-grade treasure. If you are willing, our shop definitely wants it. But the value…” He stroked his gray beard with difficulty, his gaze fixed on the crystal.

“Here’s my suggestion,” Liu Junhuai said. “I’ve heard that a piece the size of a fingernail once fetched one hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones at auction, which is one thousand mid-grade stones. Let’s use that as a basis. Steward Wu, how many spirit stones can you offer me?”

Steward Wu pondered for half the time it takes incense to burn, then gritted his teeth and extended three fingers. “I’ll give you thirty thousand mid-grade spirit stones. Does that suit you?”

Liu Junhuai pretended to consider, then said, “Thirty thousand mid-grade spirit stones, and I’ll select a top-tier Earth grade flying sword.” He stared intently into Steward Wu’s eyes.

Steward Wu hesitated. “To be honest, this piece of Extreme Cold Crystal would fetch about thirty thousand spirit stones at auction, and a top-tier Earth grade flying sword is worth several thousand mid-grade stones.”

Liu Junhuai said nothing, but took out another small fingernail-sized piece of Extreme Cold Crystal from his pouch. “This is for you personally, Senior.”

Steward Wu swiftly snatched it, saying, “Very well, as you said—thirty thousand mid-grade spirit stones, and a top-tier Earth grade flying sword.”

The two exchanged smiles, and drained their cups of tea.