Chapter 177: Chapter 9: Guide, Shopkeeper, Vajra Pestle

All throughout the Divine Pillar Immortal City were tall, magnificent buildings of exquisite design. Luxurious, high-end shops lined the wide, orderly streets that extended through the city like a grid.

Li Chan led Fang Cheng to a shop built entirely from massive black stones.

In front of the shop stood a stone stele, on which were carved the two words "Qibao Studio."

Looking in from the entrance, the shop’s interior was quite spacious. Dozens of shelves were neatly arranged, each displaying numerous materials and magical artifacts. There were quite a few cultivators inside, and business seemed to be booming.

As the Talisman Beast Demon Tiger reached the shop’s entrance, everyone inside felt a ferocious, baleful aura wash over them, and they couldn’t help but look over.

A smile on his face, Li Chan spoke to a young maid in a long, apricot-yellow dress. "Fellow Daoist Cao, please fetch Shopkeeper Sun. A big client has arrived."

The maid reacted in a flash. She immediately stepped forward, gave Fang Cheng a deep curtsy, and said respectfully, "Welcome to Qibao Studio, Senior. Please follow me to the VIP room. I will go and fetch the Chief Shopkeeper."

Fang Cheng dismounted the giant tiger, leaving the Talisman Beast to wait at the entrance, and strode into the shop, curiously glancing around.

The materials and magical artifacts on display were all First-tier quality. Although there were a few decent treasures, they were only suitable for Sensing Realm cultivators.

In the Yun Country, virtually no one who successfully cultivated a Life Talisman was poor.

An entry-level Second-Order Magical Artifact could be purchased for ten thousand Lower-Grade Spirit Stones, so it was unheard of for a Life Talisman Cultivator to still use a First-tier Magical Artifact.

"Lead the way," Fang Cheng said impassively.

The maid in the yellow dress hastily agreed and led the way, bringing the two men to a private room on the shop’s second floor. She served them a variety of fresh Spirit Fruits and fragrant tea for their enjoyment.

Li Chan, of course, did not dare to sit down with Fang Cheng. He remained standing to the side with a bow, saying with a smile, "Senior, these are Cyan Crow Spirit Fruits and Mist Spring Tea, specialties of Divine Pillar Mountain. They are quite delicious."

Fang Cheng picked up the Spirit Tea, from which a white mist was wafting, took a sip, and nodded. "Indeed, not bad. You may sit as well."

Li Chan quickly replied, "This junior is fine standing."

Just then, the door to the private room opened gently, and a young madam in a long purple dress entered. Her complexion was like a peach blossom, her figure tall and slender, and she possessed an exceptional air.

"My apologies for keeping you two distinguished guests waiting. I am the manager of Qibao Studio. What might you be looking to purchase?"

As she walked, she exuded a faint, alluring fragrance, like orchids and musk. Her cultivation, remarkably, was also at the Life Talisman Realm.

Fang Cheng set down his teacup, looked at the young madam, and said in a deep voice, "I require a suitable weapon. Does your shop have any heavy magical artifacts appropriate for a Body Cultivator?" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

The young madam had already seen the Demon Tiger at the entrance before she came up. Now, seeing Fang Cheng in person, she was secretly stunned by the powerful, dense aura of vitality radiating from him. Hearing his request, she smiled and said:

"Qibao Studio was founded on doing business with Body Refining Cultivators. We do have two magical artifacts of the kind you’re describing, Fellow Daoist. Both are Second-Order Middle Grade Magical Artifacts."

As she spoke, she elegantly retrieved two illustrated catalogs from her storage bag and handed them to Fang Cheng.

Fang Cheng took them and saw that the items illustrated in the catalogs were indeed the magical artifacts the young madam had mentioned.

The young madam began her gentle introduction. "The first magical artifact is a Vajra Pestle. It was forged by an Elder of the Divine Pillar Mountain’s Jiang Family using Buddhist Sect techniques. Not only is it incredibly durable and able to change size at will, but it can also emit a stunning Buddha Light, which can produce unexpected effects in battle."

"The second magical artifact is called the Soul-Devouring Staff. Our shop acquired it from a Loose Cultivator. This is a demonic treasure, somber and cold, with the power to devour souls. It can also be disassembled into a three-section staff. When paired with the corresponding staff techniques, its movements are unpredictable and impossible to guard against."

Fang Cheng looked at the catalogs, his gaze ultimately settling on the Vajra Pestle.

The Soul-Devouring Staff was carved with hideous, terrifying skulls and was a ghastly black-and-blue color. It radiated a sinister demonic aura and had a very poor appearance.

He was only purchasing a magical artifact this time to conceal his identity and get closer to the Immortal City’s "Third Young Master." The Vajra Pestle’s appearance was clearly far superior to that of the Soul-Devouring Staff.

He pointed at the Vajra Pestle and asked, "How much for this magical artifact?"

The young madam glanced at Fang Cheng, deliberated for a moment, and quoted a price: "Sixty-three thousand Spirit Stones."

Fang Cheng scoffed. "It’s just a Second-Order Middle Grade Magical Artifact. That’s not a sincere price."

The young madam smiled faintly. "Then how many Spirit Stones is Fellow Daoist willing to offer?"

Fang Cheng held up five fingers. "Fifty thousand."

The young madam haggled, "Fifty-nine thousand. I can’t go any lower."

"Fifty-five thousand is my maximum. If we can’t make a deal, I’ll take my business elsewhere," Fang Cheng said, glancing at Li Chan.

Li Chan gave an awkward smile. He wanted to help Fang Cheng haggle, but he was afraid of offending the shopkeeper of Qibao Studio, so he could only offer a placating smile.

The young madam mulled it over for a moment before saying, "Very well, we’ll go with your price, Fellow Daoist. However, you must agree to introduce a few more customers to me in the future."

Fang Cheng nodded in agreement.

The young madam then left the private room and returned shortly after.

She was holding a jade box, which she placed gently on the table. "Please inspect it, Fellow Daoist," she said with a smile.

Fang Cheng opened the jade box. Inside lay a thin golden rod, about the thickness of a chopstick. Its ends were carved with dragons and phoenixes, and its shaft was inscribed with tiny characters from a Buddhist scripture. An aura of Zen flowed from it as it radiated a brilliant light.

He took out the Vajra Pestle and infused it with his vast Magical Power. With a single thought, the Vajra Pestle instantly grew longer and larger, pressing down in his hand with a satisfying weight.

"Not bad. It’s truly Second-Order Middle Grade."

Sensing the number of spiritual restrictions within the magical artifact, Fang Cheng nodded in satisfaction.

The young madam offered a compliment, "Fellow Daoist is truly fated for this magical artifact. I’m glad to have found it a good owner. In the future, perhaps this Vajra Pestle will become renowned alongside you and shock the entire Cultivation Realm of the Yun Country."