**Chapter 41: Preparing in Advance**

"This matter, I will handle it with the Spirit Feather Sect myself." 

"Daoist Qin, you only need to ensure that your Beast Tooth Rice can be harvested on time." 

"As for everything else, there's no need to worry too much." 

Gu Qingzhao's voice was as clear and cool as a spring, her words carrying an air of unquestionable authority. 

Hearing this, Qin Ming felt reassured and let out a sigh of relief. 

He hadn't expected Gu Qingzhao not only to refrain from blaming him but also to appear confident in resolving the issue. 

After finishing their conversation, Qin Ming didn't rush back to his Cool Breeze Abode. 

Instead, he went downstairs to find Shopkeeper Liao. 

"I'd like to purchase a magical artifact. Does the shopkeeper have any recommendations?" 

Shopkeeper Liao's eyes lit up at the prospect of a sale, and he greeted Qin Ming warmly with a smile. "Daoist Qin, what type of magical artifact are you looking for? Our shop has everything you might need." 

"Hmm, an offensive-type artifact, preferably one suitable for body cultivators," Qin Ming said after a moment of thought. 

Shopkeeper Liao paused for a second but didn't ask further questions. 

He then smiled and said, "Daoist Qin, please follow me to the fifth floor, the Artifact Refinement Hall." 

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**The Fifth Floor of the Gathering Pavilion.** 

This entire floor was dedicated to selling or acquiring various magical artifacts. 

As soon as Shopkeeper Liao and Qin Ming stepped onto the floor, a staff member hurried over to greet them, guiding Qin Ming through the dazzling array of counters while introducing the items. 

"Mid-grade artifact, Frost Sword—its slashes are extremely sharp and come with an ice attack. Priced at three hundred fifty spirit stones." 

"Mid-grade artifact, Blue Steel Blade—forged from century-old cold iron and produced by the Fiery Forge Workshop. Priced at four hundred spirit stones." 

"Mid-grade artifact, Flame Hammer—" 

Qin Ming interrupted after browsing for a bit. "Do you have any high-grade artifacts?" 

Upon hearing this, Shopkeeper Liao's face instantly flushed with excitement, and he quickly instructed his assistant. 

"Did you hear that? Hurry up and bring out the best stuff we've got. Don't dawdle!" 

A short while later, three elegantly packaged long wooden boxes were placed before Qin Ming. 

Shopkeeper Liao opened one of them, revealing a pitch-black spear inside. 

"This is the high-grade artifact, Dragon Spine Spear. Its spearhead and shaft are forged as a single piece from Azure Gold Crystal. When used, it emits flame attacks and has an exceptionally strong armor-piercing effect." 

"Priced at… nine hundred spirit stones." 

Shopkeeper Liao spoke smoothly, introducing the item while glancing uncertainly at Qin Ming's reaction. 

"Go on," Qin Ming nodded and prompted him to continue. 

"The next one is the high-grade artifact, Boulder Greatsword. Forged from extraterrestrial meteoric iron, it's incredibly durable and weighs a thousand jin. Priced at one thousand spirit stones." 

Qin Ming stared at the massive sword, which was even larger than Yang Guo's legendary blade, and couldn't help but gasp. 

"And finally…" 

Shopkeeper Liao opened the last long wooden box, revealing a black longsword to Qin Ming. 

"This is the high-grade artifact, Black Wind Blade. It was forged using wind-attribute materials sourced from a Yin煞 region." 

"However…" Shopkeeper Liao suddenly paused mid-sentence. 

Qin Ming frowned and asked, "However, what?" 

"To use this blade, the cultivator must possess sufficiently strong blood qi. Otherwise, it will be extremely difficult to control," Shopkeeper Liao explained with an awkward smile. "If the user's constitution is weak, they may even be counterattacked by the malevolent energy." 

Qin Ming reached out and picked up the Black Wind Blade. Instantly, a domineering surge of malevolent energy swept through his arm. 

He merely exerted a slight force, channeling his blood qi into his arm. 

The previously ferocious malevolent energy of the Black Wind Blade immediately retreated as if encountering its natural predator, becoming docile in an instant. 

Shopkeeper Liao's smile froze, and he was left speechless. 

"How much for this Black Wind Blade?" Qin Ming asked. 

"T-this… I didn't expect Daoist Qin to be a body cultivator! Without discussing others, for Daoist Qin, it'll be twelve hundred spirit stones," Shopkeeper Liao hastily replied. 

Qin Ming's lips twitched slightly upon hearing this. 

What did they call precision sales tactics? 

His pouch happened to contain just over thirteen hundred spirit stones. 

"Can you lower the price?" Qin Ming asked directly. 

Shopkeeper Liao chuckled awkwardly. "Daoist Qin, you know our pavilion always operates fairly. This twelve hundred is already the lowest price." 

"Alternatively, I can personally offer you an additional gift—a copy of the *Burning Blood Blade Technique*, perfectly suited for this Black Wind Blade. It's worth a hundred spirit stones." 

"Daoist Qin enjoys a twenty percent discount when purchasing from our pavilion, which will save you a considerable amount of spirit stones." Shopkeeper Liao spoke earnestly, trying to seal the deal. 

"Deal." 

Qin Ming gritted his teeth. Having offended Jiang Kun and his group, he urgently needed a reliable magical artifact to protect himself. 

With no other choice, he had to make a significant sacrifice. 

As for the spoils from killing those five followers of Fellow Daoist Ruan last time, they were all low-grade artifacts that he no longer had any use for.

He would need to find an opportunity to dispose of them—but certainly not here. 

"Daoist Qin, that'll be one thousand eighty spirit stones." Shopkeeper Liao, having closed another big deal, was practically beaming with joy. 

Qin Ming promptly transferred the spirit stones and handed them over. 

He took the Black Wind Blade from Shopkeeper Liao and stored it in his storage pouch. The transaction was complete. 

"Daoist Qin, how about coming downstairs for a cup of tea?" Shopkeeper Liao invited politely. 

Qin Ming shook his head. "No, I still have important matters to attend to." 

"In that case, let me see you off." 

The two descended to the first-floor hall. 

Inside the tavern— 

"Shopkeeper!" 

"Do you buy demon beast corpses here?" 

"They're all mid-stage first-rank beasts, around five or six of them." 

"Hack-spit!" 

Just as Qin Ming was about to leave, two cultivators burst in noisily, shouting toward the interior. 

The speaker was a bald middle-aged cultivator who casually spat a thick wad of phlegm onto the ground after speaking. 

The cultivators dining in the tavern turned to look at them with disapproval. 

Though disgusted, none dared to speak up. 

After all, being able to hunt down five or six mid-stage demon beasts wasn't something just anyone could do. 

The two men wore leather robes and looked weather-beaten, clearly seasoned demon beast hunters who spent most of their time outdoors. 

"Of course we buy them! Honored Daoists, please come in!" Shopkeeper Liao, who had just come downstairs, was ecstatic to encounter yet another business opportunity.

His mouth practically wouldn't close. 

"Daoist Qin, I have business to attend to now, so I won't see you off. Come by the shop another day, and I'll arrange a fine feast for you." 

Qin Ming nodded. "No problem, Shopkeeper. Go ahead and take care of your business." 

With that, he stepped out of the Gathering Pavilion. 

---

Back at the Cool Breeze Abode. 

Qin Ming couldn't wait to take out the Black Wind Blade and began practicing with it. 

Wherever the blade passed, a chilling malevolent energy whistled ominously. 

"No wonder it's a high-grade artifact—what a magnificent blade!" Qin Ming caressed the blade fondly, unable to put it down. 

He then opened the *Burning Blood Blade Technique* and began reading. 

To master this technique, one required powerful blood qi as support. The technique consisted of seven forms. 

Once mastered, the first form alone could unleash eighty-one consecutive slashes in an instant! Wherever the blade passed, it could ignite blood qi, forming a massive flame blade aura. 

It was an essential skill for traveling adventurers! 

(End of Chapter) 

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