Chapter 255: Chapter 230: Flame Cloud Sect, Cloud Ascendant Zhenren

"You truly have a discerning eye, sir. You saw the extraordinary nature of this Heaven-Slaying Sword with a single glance. It’s clear you and this sword are fated to be together."

Kaya said quickly.

"Of course."

The young man’s tone was calm.

Evidently, this was not arrogance.

Rather, the young man simply believed he possessed such an ability—that he truly had a discerning eye, could see the sword’s extraordinary nature, and was indeed fated to have the Heaven-Slaying Sword.

The young man took a deep breath. He, Xiao Yun, had just returned from a Demon Extermination mission at the Quicksand River under his sect’s orders. Instead of going directly to the 7th Layer, he had followed a sudden whim and passed through the first layer, happening upon Lin Yun Street, where he sensed an unprecedentedly sharp aura.

As a result, Xiao Yun naturally found his way to Xu Qing’s A Weapon Shop and saw the Level 20 Iron Sword—which, of course, Kaya had named the ’Heaven-Slaying Sword’.

In fact, Xiao Yun’s master, Cloud Ascendant Zhenren, was a Spiritual Artisan obsessed with Artifact Refining. He had already reached the peak of an Artisan Spirit Master, just one step away from becoming a ’Refiner’.

Unfortunately, although Xiao Yun’s master, Cloud Ascendant Zhenren, had profound Cultivation and immense strength, having entered the ’Third Realm’ long ago, his Forging Technique had never broken through.

’This time,’ he thought, ’if I can buy this ’Heaven-Slaying Sword’ and give it to Master Cloud Ascendant Zhenren, he’ll surely be overjoyed. He’ll be absolutely delighted.’

Moreover, ’If Master can use this to achieve a breakthrough and become a true ’Refiner’, his status and standing will rise to a whole new level.’

’At that point, even the Sect Leader himself will have to treat him with utmost respect.’

Naturally, ’As Cloud Ascendant Zhenren’s disciple, I would benefit immensely from that.’

"Here are one thousand Top-grade Primordial Stones."

Without further hesitation, Xiao Yun waved his right hand, immediately withdrawing one thousand Top-grade Primordial Stones from his Storage Ring and handing them to the Half-Demon Fox Girl before him.

"Alright."

Kaya quickly accepted them. After confirming there was no issue, she said, "Everything’s in order."

SWOOSH!

With a wave of her right hand.

CLANG!

The sword rang out.

The Level 20 Iron Sword cut through the air and flew toward Xiao Yun.

"Haha..."

Xiao Yun laughed heartily. He reached out his right hand as a powerful aura and a potent True Intent unfurled from him, and he swiftly gripped the hilt. "A fine sword indeed."

And with that, the first transaction at A Weapon Shop was complete.

The shop had earned one thousand Top-grade Primordial Stones.

"Congratulations on acquiring this Treasure Sword, sir."

Kaya said.

"Hahaha..."

Xiao Yun had already subdued the Level 20 Iron Sword. He gently caressed its blade, feeling the Mighty Power within. It was as if a vast surge of Energy was pouring into his body, doubling his combat strength. "Not bad, not bad at all."

Evidently, Xiao Yun was becoming more and more satisfied.

CLANG!

With a ring of the sword, Xiao Yun put the Level 20 Iron Sword away.

"I am Xiao Yun, a True Disciple of the Flame Cloud Sect’s Seven Glows Peak."

Xiao Yun introduced himself, adding, "Might I have the honor of meeting the shop’s owner?"

"My apologies, sir."

Kaya smiled apologetically. "My master is not in the shop at the moment. He has gone on a long journey, and I don’t know when he will return."

"That is a true pity."

Xiao Yun shook his head. "In that case, perhaps we can meet next time."

"Rest assured, sir."

Kaya added, "You were the very first customer after our shop opened. When my master returns, I will be sure to inform him of this matter."

"Mm."

Xiao Yun nodded in satisfaction.

Then, under the awed gazes of the crowd, he walked out of A Weapon Shop and vanished from sight in the blink of an eye.

"The Flame Cloud Sect."

"I... I know of it! That’s a powerful Sect from the 7th Layer! They have several supreme experts who have entered the ’Third Realm’. They’re a truly major power."

"..."

The crowd began to buzz again.

"Everyone."

Kaya’s tone was calm as she said, "Today’s weapon has been sold. If you wish to purchase weapons or equipment, please come back tomorrow. Our shop is now closing."

"Huh?!"

"Closing already?"

"This..."

"So they really are only selling one weapon a day?"

"Even if it’s only one weapon a day, that’s still a daily income of one thousand Top-grade Primordial Stones!"

"Exactly."

"..."

The crowd exclaimed in amazement, their discussions lively as they gradually filed out of A Weapon Shop.

CLICK!

THUD!

The doors to A Weapon Shop closed.

However, the crowd outside still felt unsatisfied, wanting more.

At the same time, they were all curious. What kind of weapon would A Weapon Shop sell tomorrow? Would they really sell only one item a day, each at least a ’Top-Grade Nine-Layered Spirit Pattern Artifact’?

Full of anticipation, full of curiosity...

Inside the weapon shop.

In the back courtyard.

"Master."

Kaya hurried into the courtyard.

BZZZT! BZZZT!

At that moment, Xu Qing was practicing the Reincarnation Law. He tightly gripped a Low-grade Law Stone, absorbing the Energy of the Law, which increased his practice speed tenfold.

...

[Experience +1]

...

[Experience +1]

...

"What is it?"

After completing a round of Meditation on the Reincarnation Law, Xu Qing opened his eyes. He looked at Kaya standing before him and asked in a calm tone.

"We had a customer on our first day of business, and we made a sale."

Kaya’s voice was tinged with excitement. "Master, here are one thousand Top-grade Primordial Stones."

"Mm."

Xu Qing glanced at them and nodded. Though a little surprised, he didn’t dwell on it or let it show. "Not bad, not bad at all."

Clearly, this was a good start.

"Then let’s continue with this model," Xu Qing instructed.

"As you command."

Kaya naturally had no further objections or ideas. ’The master is truly wise, as expected,’ she thought to herself. ’All I need to do is follow his instructions.’

"You may go."

Xu Qing waved his hand.

"Yes."

Kaya departed.

BZZZT! BZZZT!

Xu Qing closed his eyes and resumed practicing the Reincarnation Law.

SWOOSH!

With a thought, Xu Qing’s consciousness connected with the Encyclopedia of All Things, which was still shimmering with light.

...

The corresponding information appeared.

[Reincarnation Law Level 1: 40000/1000000 (...)]

Currently, the Reincarnation Law’s Experience Points had accumulated to forty thousand.

「Meanwhile.」

On the 7th Layer of Cangzhou Prefecture.

SWOOSH!

Xiao Yun had returned to the 7th Layer and was back at the Flame Cloud Sect.

Seven Glows Peak.

At the summit, an imposing palace stood there.

BOOM!

Suddenly, an explosion rang out.

"AHHH!!!"

A scream echoed.

A figure was sent flying by the terrifying blast, landing right in front of Xiao Yun. Xiao Yun looked down and saw that it was his master, covered head to toe in black soot.

His hair, beard, and clothes were all charred like charcoal.

Moreover, a small tuft of fire was still burning on top of his head.

After a moment, the small flame finally went out.

"Ma... Master..."

Xiao Yun’s mouth fell open. He was stunned, yet somehow, it was also what he had expected. "Are... are you alright?"

"Cough, cough..."

Cloud Ascendant Zhenren coughed lightly, spitting out a puff of black smoke. "I’m... I’m fine. My Artifact Refining just failed again."

"Dammit."

"I was just one step away! I was so close to succeeding! Why? Why did it have to fail? I don’t get it, I just don’t get it..."

"Master."

Xiao Yun interrupted Cloud Ascendant Zhenren’s muttering. He waved his right hand, took the Level 20 Iron Sword out of his Storage Ring, and said, "While I was out, I obtained something wonderful. I believe it will be of great benefit to your Artifact Refining Dao, so I brought it back for you to see..."

SWOOSH!

Before Xiao Yun could finish speaking, his vision blurred as if something had flown past. His hand suddenly felt light. When he came to his senses, he discovered the ’Heaven-Slaying Sword’ was gone.

"Master..."

Xiao Yun froze for a moment, then saw that his master, Cloud Ascendant Zhenren, had snatched the ’Heaven-Slaying Sword’ right out of his hand, leaving him utterly stunned.

Most importantly, Cloud Ascendant Zhenren’s current expression was like that of a starving lecher who had just laid eyes on a peerless beauty. He stared obsessively at the Heaven-Slaying Sword in his hands, gently stroking its blade, not even daring to apply pressure for fear of damaging it.

One must know, the Heaven-Slaying Sword was equivalent to a Top-Grade Nine-Layered Spirit Pattern Artifact; it had already awakened its Spirituality and possessed a degree of intelligence. At this moment, the blade was trembling, releasing a terrifying Sword Qi.

This was not out of fear.

To Xiao Yun, it looked more like it was ’disgusted’.

"..."

Dark lines etched themselves onto Xiao Yun’s forehead.

"Master, you..."

Xiao Yun tried to warn him.

SWOOSH!

But Cloud Ascendant Zhenren had already run off with the Heaven-Slaying Sword.

"My good disciple, let your master study this sword for a while! I’ll give it back to you later!"

Cloud Ascendant Zhenren’s voice drifted back.

"F... Fine..."

Xiao Yun shrugged.

There was nothing he could do.

Cloud Ascendant Zhenren was obsessed with Artifact Refining and had a rather eccentric personality. Especially when it came to the Artifact Refining Dao, his behavior was even more ’unconventional’.

’I hope it can be of some help to him,’ Xiao Yun thought.

「Time flew by.」

「Late at night.」

On the 9th Layer of Cangzhou Prefecture.

The very top layer.

The view zoomed in.

To the Marquis’s Mansion.

Inside the mansion, there were two figures.

One of them was Li Shang.

As for the other, he was the Marquis of Cangzhou Prefecture, ’Cangba Dao’.

A very domineering name.

Likewise, his power was also extremely domineering.

He could be called the number one person in all of Cangzhou Prefecture.

"Marquis."

Li Shang bowed to the Marquis of Cangzhou, Cangba Dao, his tone one of utmost respect. However, even when facing the number one person in Cangzhou Prefecture, he did not lose his composure.

"Mm."

Cangba Dao’s expression was placid as he sized up Li Shang. "Originally, this Marquis saw the aura of a ’Dragon Child’ about you, but now it has vanished."

"..."

Li Shang fell silent.