Thirteen days ago, by Zhu Xin Xia Ren
Chapter 59: Profound Heavy Spear
Mu Rong Su Yue noticed Gu Wen's gaze and smiled shyly, explaining, "Qianlong Mountain Villa is renowned for forging divine weapons, hence the need for body refinement. It's not something innate in me, please don't judge me, Daoist friend."
Gu Wen came back to his senses, clasping his hands in return, "It was impolite of me. Everyone has their own unique appearance, but it's nothing to dwell on."
He Huan also stepped forward to ease the tension, saying, "Brother Hong Chen's reaction is normal. After all, Mu Rong Daoist friend is exceptionally beautiful."
This was also the reason for Gu Wen's daze.
It wasn't that he hadn't seen beautiful women before; he had seen Yu Hua's face without any reaction when he went to Qianfeng Tower.
His threshold was set too high, having no response to ordinary beauty.
Mu Rong Su Yue's facial beauty was indeed striking, but not yet otherworldly.
However, when paired with a towering figure of two meters three, made of bronze and iron, it was a different story.
This was more eye-catching than a branch bearing large fruits.
The atmosphere relaxed, and Gu Wen got straight to the point, "I need a suitable long weapon, preferably a spear that can be easily stored."
Mu Rong Su Yue replied, "For ordinary weapons, it will cost ten top-grade Dragon Tiger Pills, while for magical weapons, it starts at three top-grade Dragon Tiger Pills. Spiritual weapons are rare. With the help of the resources from the Immortalization Ground, I have only crafted three, the highest being of medium grade."
According to the records in Yu Hua's Imperial Armory Catalog, artifacts are divided into three levels: ordinary, magical, and spiritual, each further divided into top, middle, and low grades, totaling nine grades.
Ordinary weapons are not just ordinary iron tools; they can be infused with Qi to enhance their effects, commonly used by cultivators who have just started cultivating Qi.
Magical weapons and spiritual treasures have greater power, the only difference being the presence of spirituality.
However, the essence of an artifact lies in its purpose and user.
Of course, there are ultimate treasures in each category, such as Dao weapons, Immortal artifacts, and Supreme treasures.
These treasures are beyond being categorized by grades.
"For long weapons, ten ordinary weapons, three magical weapons, and one spiritual treasure are available. Storage requires at least a magical weapon, and the price will increase by fifty percent while maintaining the same power."
Mu Rong Su Yue reached for her waist pouch, a glint of light flashed as she took out a few small items.
A silver bracelet, a jade pendant, which then transformed into a silver spear and a halberd.
Gu Wen tried both weapons, and Mu Rong Su Yue introduced their effects and prices.
The silver spear was a low-grade magical weapon, requiring six top-grade Dragon Tiger Pills.
The halberd was a top-grade magical weapon, needing one Condensing Dao Pill.
He was satisfied with both weapons, but as a discerning buyer, he always sought better quality.
Gu Wen inquired, "Do you have a long weapon among the spiritual treasures?"
"Yes," Mu Rong Su Yue nodded, "But I believe Daoist friend may not be able to afford it, and most likely won't buy it, as it is made of Profound Heavy Iron."
She then pulled out a finger-length iron rod from her waist pouch, infused it with Qi, transforming it into a pitch-black 'Great Spear.'
With a plain texture, the surface of the spear shaft was somewhat uneven, only the sharp tip made it appear as a weapon.
Gu Wen felt its weight as he held it, estimating it to be around two hundred catties, almost as heavy as an adult.
For every catty of weight in a weapon, ten catties of strength are required to wield it.
Even with Gu Wen's current strength, it was somewhat strenuous to hold.
"It's too heavy."
"This is Profound Heavy Iron. I obtained it by chance. Originally, it could have evolved into a top-grade spiritual treasure nurtured by a treasure land. However, due to the disturbance caused by the Earth Dragon's movement, the nurturing process was interrupted, and it ended up as a low-grade spiritual treasure."
Mu Rong Su Yue looked regretful.
Seeing Gu Wen's interest, she advised, "Profound Heavy Iron is extremely hard. I could only perform some simple polishing on it. It's more like a piece of iron than a weapon, with no additional enhancements."
Gu Wen seized on a crucial point, asking, "Can it reach the level of a spiritual treasure based solely on its hardness?"
"Profound Heavy Iron is an excellent material for array formations, but have you ever seen someone hitting others with a city gate?"
"I'll take it. How much?"
He Huan wanted to say something, but restrained himself due to etiquette.
As a mediator, he had to remain silent.
Both parties were responsible for their own transactions, and any losses due to misjudgment were their own.
Seeing the firmness of the other party, Mu Rong Su Yue couldn't help but take a few more glances at the Profound Heavy Spear.
Perhaps this spear had some special qualities.
However, she had no intention of raising the price arbitrarily.
If she couldn't see its value, then it wasn't meant to be.
She said, "Two Condensing Dao Pills, but I'd like to make friends with Daoist friend, so one will suffice."
"Deal."
Gu Wen readily took out a Condensing Dao Pill.
Such high-grade pills had little effect on him and were mainly used as currency.
With the Profound Heavy Spear in hand, Gu Wen also received two more Condensing Dao Pills, ten top-grade Dragon Tiger Pills, and five medium-grade Dragon Tiger Pills.
Gu Wen's reason for choosing the Profound Heavy Spear was simple.
It wasn't because he thought it was some hidden extraordinary weapon, but because it suited him.
The Zealous Spear suffered heavy wear and tear, with the ordinary long spear he used last time completely worn out.
He had to prevent it from falling apart towards the end.
Its hardness could withstand the Zealous Spear's Qi phase, and its weight could cause significant destructive power when swung.
Due to the extremely weak spirituality of the Profound Heavy Spear, Gu Wen easily refined it with a few breaths of Qi circulation.
This was much more pleasing to the eye than the naturally rebellious Azure Eye Water Pearl.
After storing the Profound Heavy Spear, Gu Wen asked, "Do you have any spare items in your waist pouch? I'd like to exchange for them with Condensing Dao Pills and Dragon Tiger Pills."
"Brother Hong Chen still has Condensing Dao Pills?"
He Huan, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up.
When he confirmed that Gu Wen had taken out two Condensing Dao Pills, he couldn't help but be amazed.
He broke through to the third stage without relying on Condensing Dao Pills?
Mu Rong Su Yue's eyes lit up at the sight of the Condensing Dao Pills and said, "I have one more Qiankun Bag, but due to the materials it needs to store, its capacity may be a bit large. If you want to buy it, it will cost three Condensing Dao Pills. I wonder if Brother can accept it?"
The Immortalization Ground had restrictions on all Dao methods, especially on items related to spatial manipulation like the Qiankun Bag.
Therefore, their Qiankun Bags were specially made, with the same capacity consuming a hundred times more than those outside.
Ordinary people wouldn't consider a large-capacity Qiankun Bag.
"Sure."
Gu Wen received a palm-sized pale yellow bag, while Mu Rong Su Yue obtained three Condensing Dao Pills.
Both parties were extremely satisfied with the transaction.
Gu Wen didn't hesitate to use up all the Condensing Dao Pills at once.
He didn't need them to condense his Dao foundation.
He wasn't worried about the other party lowering the price either, as the market price was transparent, and the person he was dealing with was a fifth-ranked prodigy on the Earth List.
People tend to subconsciously hold a high regard for a strong individual and overlook their flaws.
As he played with the Qiankun Bag, it felt like the first time he had gotten a mobile phone in his past life.
Sending his divine sense inside, he saw a space equivalent to a two-meter-long fish tank.
Retracting his divine sense, Gu Wen turned to He Huan and said, "If we had such a Qiankun Bag back then, we wouldn't have been short of so many things."
He Huan glanced in the direction of the Tai Fu Bureau.
In three days, he would have consumed all the medicinal fruits.
His Qi had expanded by more than twice compared to before.
"I need to find out when the next batch of tribute will arrive."
At that moment, He Huan suddenly mentioned, "Have you heard about the Zhao family's nine sons? Due to the commotion we caused at Longqiao, that guy was assassinated. Now, the Daoist Emperor has saved him."
Gu Wen pretended to be indifferent and casually asked, "What's the point of assassinating a useless waste without even reaching the Dao Foundation? Do you know who did it?"
"I don't know, but there are plenty of people who want the Zhao family dead. Both openly and secretly, countless sects are eager for it. The reason is simple: Zhao Feng is currently the only surviving prince."
The only one?!
Gu Wen's eyes flickered.
Besides the Crown Prince's death, the other princes had all been sent to their fiefs.
Were they all killed now?
Although wiping out all the princes was absurd, if the external immortal sects were involved, everything seemed reasonable.
Mu Rong Su Yue interjected, "I heard that the Daoist Emperor has integrated his Qi phase into the royal dragon veins, making it impossible for major sects to challenge him. Currently, the Great Qian is being dismantled by major sects."
"It's a matter of time. Otherwise, do you think the Daoist Emperor has been collecting spiritual herbs so urgently these years? Isn't it to refine the so-called Elixir of Immortality before being dismantled? But that's not the point; it's the True Immortals' business."
He Huan paused mysteriously, building up anticipation in both of them.
"Zhao Feng has taken on a part of the national fortune, helping the Daoist Emperor withstand some of the backlash. So the Daoist Emperor won't let him be discarded. He might find a scapegoat to support Zhao Feng."
A cool breeze blew by, gently ruffling Gu Wen's hair.
Under his hat, his ink-black eyes stirred up ripples.
But it was just a slight ripple.
Today was different from the past; the strong could always remain composed.
Not to mention that he would soon break through to the complete Dao Foundation stage.
The Daoist Emperor of Bianjing couldn't leave the imperial palace, the old eunuch couldn't kill him, and now he could easily climb over the city walls with his body techniques.
Many books are now hard to find, so cherish them while you can.