txolops Chapter 39 Elixirs and Magical Artifacts
Chapter 39 Elixirs and Magical Artifacts
This incident alarmed the three sects that controlled the market, who immediately dispatched more Foundation Establishment cultivators to guard the area and activated the alert formations to prevent the thieving cultivators from causing trouble again.
Luo Ming simply concealed his cultivation without using a high-level concealment technique, so he couldn't escape the array's detection. The one who had just used divine sense to probe him and summoned him telepathically was Duan Chen, who had just arrived to provide support.
"Currently, each of the three sects has secretly dispatched a Foundation Establishment cultivator to provide support." Duan Chen said, his silver fan snapping shut with a "whoosh," a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Hmph! I'd like to see which foolish Tribulation cultivator dares to provoke the three sects and cause trouble in Qinghu Market. I'll make sure they never return!"
Upon hearing this, Luo Ming felt a sense of unease. Although Tribulation Cultivators were fierce, they were by no means foolish. Qinghu Market was backed by three sects and had a deep foundation. How could ordinary Tribulation Cultivators dare to cause such a ruckus here? This matter was probably not so simple, and there was likely a demonic force secretly supporting them behind the scenes.
Qinghu Market is the largest market in the surrounding area, contributing countless spirit stones to the three sects every year. It is understandable that the demonic forces covet this place.
Luo Ming knew what would happen next and guessed the general truth after a little thought, but he couldn't say it out loud—the demonic forces and the Yue Kingdom were separated by the Cheqi Kingdom, and there was no news of any demonic invasion at the moment. If he mentioned it rashly, it would only be regarded as nonsense.
"Time is running out," Luo Ming sighed inwardly. His immediate priority was to purchase the necessary pills and magical artifacts, and then return to his cave for secluded cultivation. In this chaotic world on the verge of chaos, only one's own cultivation and strength were the foundation for survival.
After chatting with Duan Chen for a few more minutes and inquiring about the recent market situation, Luo Ming got up to take his leave. As for those troublesome cultivators, the law enforcement cultivators from the three sects were suppressing them, so he figured he didn't need to get involved.
The market was still bustling with people, but the atmosphere was noticeably more tense than before.
"Is it really a Tribulation Cultivator?" Luo Ming wondered to himself, continuing his journey towards the "Danfu Pavilion," which had the best reputation in the market.
His main purpose for this trip was to purchase a batch of "Spirit Gathering Pills" to enhance the mana of those in the Foundation Establishment stage, as well as one or two handy magical artifacts. Although talisman treasures are powerful, their consumption is also astonishing, so it's impossible to use them to fight enemies all the time; he still needs conventional means of protection.
The Danfu Pavilion has three floors and is quite impressive. Luo Ming, who exuded the aura of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, was immediately and respectfully led to a private room on the second floor. He was greeted by an elderly man at the peak of Qi Refining, whose attitude was extremely respectful.
"It is an honor to have you here, senior. May I ask what you would like?" The old man offered the spiritual tea and asked cautiously.
"How much Spirit Gathering Pill does your establishment have in stock?" Luo Ming didn't mince words and went straight to the point.
A hint of surprise flashed in the old man's eyes. Spirit Gathering Pills were expensive; for an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator, purchasing two or three bottles at a time was already considered a large sum. "Senior, this establishment currently has twenty-two bottles of Spirit Gathering Pills, ten pills per bottle, priced at two hundred spirit stones per bottle. How many would you like, Senior?"
Luo Ming nodded; the price was fair. "I'll take them all. Also, do you have any high-quality top-tier magic artifacts with gold, water, or earth attributes, or special items for trapping or binding enemies?" He added at the end, indicating he wasn't short of spirit stones. "Let me make it clear, I only want the best."
The old man perked up at the words, realizing this was clearly a big customer! He quickly replied, "Yes, yes, yes! Please wait a moment, senior, I'll be right back." With that, he hurried downstairs, his steps lighter than before.
Before long, the old man returned carrying several carved jade boxes, which he carefully opened one by one in front of Luo Ming.
"Senior, please take a look. This 'Water Nether Sword' is forged primarily from Xuan You Iron and has reached the level of a rare treasure. When activated by a Foundation Establishment cultivator's magic power, it can unleash a sword beam nearly ten feet long, with astonishing power. The price is two thousand spirit stones." The old man first pointed to a long sword with a ghostly blue luster and slowly introduced it.
"This 'Mysterious Ice Rope' is refined from iron from a century-old cold pool. It is also a rare top-tier magic weapon. It contains cold energy and is extremely tough. It is best at binding and trapping enemies. It also has a significant restraining effect on fire-type demonic beasts and techniques. Its price is the same as the Water Nether Sword, two thousand spirit stones." Then, the old man pointed to a rope wrapped with white frost.
"This last golden shield is made with copper essence as its base and some gold essence added during the smelting process. Its defense is astonishing and can withstand a full-force attack from a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. The price is 2,500 spirit stones." The old man pointed to a small golden shield the size of a palm, his tone filled with pride.
Luo Ming picked up each artifact one by one for inspection, probing them with his fingertips to carefully perceive their grade and power. The Water Nether Sword was of good quality, a dual-attribute (metal and water) artifact, perfectly matching his spiritual root attributes. He already possessed powerful talismanic treasures for offensive purposes, and was in need of this kind of conventional artifact for daily defense.
The last two magical artifacts particularly appealed to him: the Mystic Ice Rope could compensate for the weakness of trapping enemies, and the Golden Light Shield could enhance defense.
"I'll take all three," Luo Ming said without hesitation. The old man was overjoyed and quickly packed the three magical artifacts along with the Spirit Gathering Pills into a jade box. After verifying that everything was in order, Luo Ming paid the spirit stones on the spot—the twenty-two bottles of Spirit Gathering Pills cost four thousand four hundred spirit stones, the three magical artifacts cost six thousand five hundred spirit stones, and he also bought a Golden Wind and Fine Rain Formation for one thousand spirit stones. The total cost of this purchase was eleven thousand and nine hundred spirit stones, almost emptying his savings.
"The consumption after Foundation Establishment is indeed huge." Luo Ming sighed inwardly. Ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators, after saving for several years to cover their daily cultivation expenses, might not be able to gather enough spirit stones to build up a suitable magic weapon. If he didn't have the Spirit Gathering Cauldron, he would probably have to work hard to accumulate spirit stones by doing tasks, just like ordinary cultivators.
The transaction was completed, and Luo Ming was about to get up and leave when he suddenly sensed something. Looking through the carved wooden window of the private room, he saw ripples appear on the array restrictions above the market, clearly indicating that it had been triggered. Immediately afterward, three streaks of light shot out from the direction of the Three Sects' Enforcement Hall. The streaks of light were filled with the aura of Foundation Establishment cultivators. The individuals inside had solemn expressions and flew straight through the restrictions to the outside.
"Could it be that they've discovered traces of the Tribulation Cultivator?" Luo Ming raised an eyebrow, pondered for a moment, then withdrew his gaze. He didn't intend to interfere and turned to leave the Pill and Talisman Pavilion. His priority right now was to refine his newly acquired magic weapon and improve his own strength; there was no need to waste his energy on irrelevant matters.
After leaving the Danfu Pavilion, Luo Ming rented a secluded temporary cave dwelling on the edge of the market, intending to refine the three magical artifacts before returning home. After all, newly acquired magical artifacts need to be refined with magical power before they can fully unleash their power.
Three days later, inside the temporary cave dwelling, Luo Ming sat cross-legged, with a small golden shield floating in front of him—the very same Golden Light Shield. He made hand seals, and abundant spiritual power flowed continuously into the shield. The Golden Light Shield gradually radiated a dazzling golden light, which grew stronger and stronger until it finally condensed into a sturdy light shield that enveloped the small shield.