Cultivation begins with ice harvesters

Chapter 26: The Azure Water Sword

Inside the courtyard, neatly arranged spiritual fields are planted with different types of spiritual herbs according to their varying concentrations of spiritual energy.

Each square spiritual field is equipped with arrays of different sizes and types, arranged according to local conditions, to prevent others from damaging them and to aid the growth of spiritual herbs.

Some of the medicinal herbs had already blossomed, and a unique medicinal fragrance permeated the entire courtyard. The rich spiritual energy was also delightful. With each breath, Tong Bingfeng could clearly feel streams of rich spiritual energy actively entering his body's meridians.

In some locations unsuitable for cultivating spirit fields, there are fish ponds specifically for raising spirit fish and spirit turtles of different grades and for different purposes.

They would occasionally pop out of the water to play, full of extraordinary vitality and life force. In short, the layout of the entire courtyard was quite reasonable and without any waste, which made Tong Bingfeng envious.

"Greetings, Second Master Chen. I've come here specifically to bring Tong Bingfeng, a newly promoted Qi Refining Level 4 cultivator and tenant of Ice Sea Market, to rent magical artifacts."

The owner of Liu's Grocery Store bowed respectfully, with a hint of fear in his expression, and naturally told him the purpose of his visit.

"Rogue cultivator Tong Bingfeng greets Second Master Chen. I have come here because I have long admired your reputation and wish to rent a mid-grade first-tier water-attribute offensive magic weapon. Please grant my request."

Tong Bingfeng chose the same approach; as long as he could reduce the cost of spirit stones in subsequent rentals, it would all be worthwhile.

"Helping others is my duty, and I am naturally willing to grant your request to rent this magical artifact. However, I always act with a 'small-minded' attitude first and a 'gentleman' attitude later. Have you read and understood the corresponding conditions?"

Although Master Chen seemed to be asking questions with enthusiasm, his words revealed his exploitative nature. Although the old man's cultivation had reached the late stage of Qi Refining, he was a genuine miser.

"Please rest assured, Second Master, I have read it all and understand the situation."

This is not the right time to haggle, since magical artifacts of the same rank and attribute can vary drastically in price due to differences in their quality.

"Young friend Tong is truly a dragon among men, a young talent. Since you know everything, this jade slip contains all the water-attribute magic weapons available for rent, along with their prices. You can choose any one of them."

Master Chen readily tossed out a jade slip, clearly indicating that Tong Bingfeng would not be able to access any magical artifacts before a deal was actually struck; this was a classic case of not acting until the rabbit was seen.

"Thank you for your kindness, Second Master."

Tong Bingfeng covered the jade slip with his divine sense, and he was able to have a clear understanding of its contents.

The Azure Water Sword is a mid-grade first-tier flying sword. Its blade is light blue-green, and when drawn, it emits a chilling aura. When it strikes an enemy, it carries a water-like force. It is priced at 300 spirit stones. Based on selling one mid-grade first-tier demonic beast per month, it will take six years to sell a total of 72 mid-grade first-tier demonic beasts.

Wave Ring: A water-attribute ring blade that unleashes a series of waves, capable of both ranged and close-range attacks, making it easy to handle. It is of excellent quality and costs 350 spirit stones. It will be sold over seven years and requires a total of 84 first-tier mid-grade demonic beasts.

Cold Stream Needle: A water-based magic weapon as fine as cow's hair, quenched with cold water spiritual energy, used for sneak attacks and acupuncture. Its attack is silent and extremely secretive. It costs 450 spirit stones and can only be sold for nine years. A total of 108 first-tier mid-grade demonic beasts are required.

Canglan Pearl: A mid-grade first-tier water spirit pearl that can launch water arrows and condense water shields, combining offense and defense. It can also freely absorb the water attribute spiritual power of heaven and earth, using the power of water dripping on stone to assist cultivators in their cultivation. It is priced at 600 spirit stones and needs to be sold for 12 years. There are a total of 144 mid-grade first-tier demonic beasts.

Clear Water Shield: A mid-grade first-tier water-elemental shield. Its spiritual light is like a shallow pool. It is of excellent quality and can withstand the attacks of mid-grade first-tier demonic beasts and weaken the attacks of high-grade first-tier demonic beasts. It is priced at 500 spirit stones and needs to be sold for ten years. There are a total of 120 mid-grade first-tier demonic beasts.

Condensed Water Jade Disc: A sheet-shaped jade defensive magic artifact that activates as a pale blue water film. It is lightweight and easy to use, priced at 700 spirit stones, and requires 14 years to sell. It is available in a total of 168 first-tier mid-grade demonic beasts.

Ice Spring Pot: A mid-grade water vessel that can store spiritual water and spray out a cold spring mist to confuse enemies. It has both auxiliary and offensive functions. It is priced at 800 spirit stones and can only be sold for 16 years. There are a total of 192 first-tier mid-grade demonic beasts.

The small jade slip contains a relatively comprehensive explanation of the basic effects and key features of various magical artifacts. Of course, the most important part is the price and repayment period indicated at the end.

Just by renting a magic weapon based on the price differences in the market, this Master Chen could earn at least twice the profit of the magic weapon itself. If the unified utilization and sale of the monster corpses were included, the profit would be even more astonishing.

"Each of these magical artifacts is a rare gem, but unfortunately, their prices are far too high. What we need most right now is a common, yet lethal, mid-grade first-tier water-attribute magical artifact."

Tong Bingfeng forcibly looked away from the jade slip. Every magical artifact described there held a fatal attraction for him, who was penniless.

However, due to their empty pockets, they can only choose the most suitable magical artifact to carry with them based on their own needs.

"I wish to rent a mid-grade, first-tier Azure Water Sword. I wonder if you could offer a discount, Second Master? The current price is truly beyond my means. I humbly request your permission."

After reason returned to his mind, Tong Bingfeng's choice was not too surprising. Although the Azure Water Sword was ordinary, its lethality was among the best in its class, and it also had the effects of being flexible in combat and saving mana.

"Young friend, you have excellent eyesight and your future path is limitless. The Azure Water Sword is one of the most popular magical artifacts here. It has a wide range of applications, is of excellent quality, and has considerable destructive power. As for the discount you mentioned, it should not exist in the first place."

"However, since we've hit it off today, and Old Liu brought you here personally, we should leave enough room for maneuver and save face for the future. You only need to repay this Azure Water Sword with sixty-eight mid-grade first-tier demonic beasts."

Master Chen reluctantly offered a discount, seemingly at the limit of what he could bear, resulting in a significant loss of spirit stones and profits.

"Thank you for your acquisition, Second Master. Deal."

Know when to quit while you're ahead, especially when you're facing a genuine local overlord like the Chen family. A mere Qi Refining Level 4 rogue cultivator is nothing more than a slightly larger ant.

If it weren't for the lucrative business of renting magical artifacts, Tong Bingfeng would never have had the chance to meet a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator from the direct lineage of the Chen family.

"This is a Yin Ghost Soul Devouring Contract. Once signed, it must be executed according to the agreement. If it is not executed, you will be immediately killed by eighteen Yin Ghosts, unable to live or die. Young friend Tong only needs to pay one mid-grade first-level demon beast every month to complete the contract. Once you sign this contract, you can take the Azure Water Sword with you."

Master Chen took out a talisman that exuded a chilling aura and was covered with eighteen terrifying and lifelike ghost heads, waiting for Tong Bingfeng to sign it with his blood essence.